Scholarships
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2008-2009 school year. Information for the 2009-2010 school year will be available next spring (Feb/Mar). Please visit our website at that time for information and dates of acceptance.
Limited Emergency Aid is available for temporary, acute emergencies that arise during the regular school year.
General Information
Scholarships must be full time students from the Continental US or Alaska.
Send one application package only. Students will be considered for all scholarships we feel you are qualified for.
Students are eligible to receive one scholarship per year.
We do not fund technical or trade programs (certificate programs) or seminary.
We do not fund summer session.
Funding is for the entire school year. We do not fund semesters separately.
Please do not staple individual items. Please staple the entire package with 1 staple.
Only the information requested. Additional information will not be considered.
Each application must be mailed in separately. Do not put applicatons for 2 people in the same envelope.
Keep a copy of your application package.
Documents cannot be returned.
Please do not call or e-mail the office to verify receipt. (You can send packages through the post office with delivery confirmation for 65 cents if you send the package priority mail, which costs $4.80.)
If you are among the final applicants being considered for a scholarship, a class schedule will be requested.
If you are selected you will be notified by mail. Due to the number of applications received we cannot send regret letters.
Application Check Sheet Explained:
All items listed must be included in your application package otherwise it will not be considered. Student identification (name, school, student number, semester) need to be on all unofficial copies such as financial aid award letters & transcripts.
- Application Form
- Financial Need Analysis Form with FAO Signature - Other FNA forms will not be accepted. The completed, signed form must be sent with the rest of the applicants' package. Students are asked to sign the FNA giving permission to allow their FAO to discuss information if the need arises. If we call to verify need and the FAO is not allowed to release the requested information we have no choice but to bypass your application and move on to another student.
- Certificate of Indian Blood showing at least ¼ Indian blood - If the applicants' tribal enrollment card/letter shows blood quantum, a CIB is not needed. If it does not, you will need to provide a CIB. If you do not have a CIB, see the FAQ's under the Resources heading of this website to find out how to get one. Do not send your original CIB. Documents cannot be returned.
- Proof of Tribal Enrollment - Do not send your original tribal enrollment. Documents cannot be returned. In the case of Alaska tribes, if proof of tribal enrollment is available, that is preferred. If not, alternative forms of proof of such as Alaska Native Corporate documents are acceptable.
- Student Essay - Essay must include educational & post graduate goals as well as life experiences. One page minimum, three page maximum, 12 point, 1 inch margins, double space.
- Two Letters of Recommendation - Letters do not have to be confidential and it is preferred that they are not in sealed envelopes. Letters should be from employers, professors, ministers, teachers, coaches, etc. Letters should on letterhead with printed contact information. Letters from family or friends will not be accepted. Letters are not to be sent directly to AAIA, they must be included in the application package. Please do not have the original sent directly from the person you requested the recommendation from in addition to the copy included in your package.
- Current Financial Aid Award Letter - Financial aid award letters are sent to the student by the school. This document shows the financial aid that the student is eligible for. The student does not have to accept all that is offered, but we do need to see his or her eligibility. This is a different document than the Financial Needs Analysis.
- Complete Transcripts - Transcripts do not have to be official. Student copies of official transcripts are acceptable. It is prefered that transcripts are not in sealed envelopes. At least 2 complete years worth of transcripts are required.
- Class Schedule - If available.
- Full Time Enrollment for Graduate Students - Graduate students must provide a letter from the registrars office or a print out from your school's website or course catalogue stating how many credits is considered full time.
- Undergraduate Class Standing - (for example, 0-30 FR, 31-60 SOPH, 61-90 JR, 91+ SR) Undergraduate students must provide a letter from the registrars office or a print out from your school's website or course catalogue stating how many credits is considered a FR, SOPH, JR or SR.
- Displaced Homemaker Applicants - A short essay of your family responsibilities and monthly budget are required in addition to the basic requirements.
- Emergency Aid Applicants - A short explanation of your emergency situation and proof of need are required in addition to the basic requirements.
If You Are Selected:
You will be notified by mail.
You are asked to complete a release of information form for AAIA promotional and reporting purposes. A form will be sent with your notification letter. Students also need to submit a short thank you note and photo.
Your check will be sent directly to your school.
Spring disbursements are made upon proof of satisfactory progress.
If a situation arises during the fall semester which would affect your eligibility for spring (illness causing you to miss significant amounts of class time, dropping a class and falling below full time, failing grades at mid-term, etc), contact Lisa Wyzlic immediately.
We are accountable to the people that fund your scholarships. If we learn of difficulties at the end of the semester your scholarship may be discontinued.
Follow Up:
If you have received an AAIA scholarship in the past 50 years and would be willing to share your story, please contact Lisa Wyzlic at our Rockville office.
Application packages can be mailed to:
Lisa Wyzlic, Director of Scholarship Programs
Association on American Indian Affairs
966 Hungerford Drive, Suite 12-B
Rockville, MD 20850
Applications will be accepted starting April 21 must be received in our Rockville, Maryland office by 5pm Eastern Time July 1, 2008.
Applications received outside of the acceptance period will not be considered.
Questions may be directed to:
Lisa Wyzlic at lw.aaia@verizon.net or 240-314-7155
Please note we are in the Eastern Time Zone so it may be easier to e-mail your questions.
Additional Financial Aid Links:
projectworkingmom.com
working moms scholarships
myfreedegree.com
working moms scholarships
WashingtonPost.com
working moms scholarships
edu.programadvisor.com/scholarships.
working moms scholarships
courseadvisor.com
working moms scholarships
NASA Summer Research Experience for Tribal College and University Undergraduates
Harriet G. Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship
Tylenol.com/scholarship
health fields
www.rspfunding.com
Resource Service Press
www.aiefprograms.org
American Indian Education Foundation
www.aigc.com
American Indian Graduate Center
www.collegefund.org
American Indian College Fund - tribal colleges only
www.aises.org
American Indian Science and Engineering Society
www.niea.org
National Indian Education Association
www.StudentLoanNetwork.com
Lists various free scholarships in addition to loans
www.indiancountry.com
Indian Country Today publishes a magazine called Education. Contact ICT for information. Concise source of information.
Middle School and High School Financial Aid:
Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program
Administered through Northwestern University
Tammie Stewart, Manager Community Outreach
847-491-7127
tammie-stewart@northwestern.edu
www.jkcf.org/scholarships/young-scholars-program/
Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program
Administered through Johns Hopkins University, Duke University and the University of Denver
www.jkcf.org/scholarships/young-scholars-program/
Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship
http://www.educationaladvancement.org
A Few of Our Recipients
Alton Belt, Oglala Sioux
Emilie Hesemeyer Scholarship
Human Resources
Ki-Shan Lara, Hupa/Yurok
Sequoyah Graduate Scholarship
Education, Curriculum & Development
Stefani Sager, Aleut
Adolph Van Pelt Scholarship
Elementary Education