​Scholarship FAQ's

Our FAQs should answer all of your questions! But if you still are not sure, you can contact us as general@indian-affairs.org.

Applying

Eligibility

Do you have a video tutorial that will help me through the application process?
Yes, we do, through our partner, the American Indian College Fund! Please click on this ​YouTube video tutorial. 

Can my application package be mailed or e-mailed?
All applications will be processed through the link provided on the scholarship main page. Mail and e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Does the Association require transcripts from my high school/university/college?
Yes, a completed application form, verification of Tribal enrollment, the application essays, and a transcript is required. The transcript does not need to be an official transcript.

How do I know if my application has been received?
Applications are processed online via the application link. This link will take applicants to a dashboard where the application is available. After the application and essay questions are completed and submitted, the applicant will receive a confirmation page. 

What is verification of Tribal enrollment?​

• A copy of the applicant's Tribal ID card
• A copy of an official letter from the applicant's Tribe stating that they are enrolled.

Keeping My Award

What is the minimum GPA?
The Association requires a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Could I lose my scholarship?
Yes. The Association's scholarship is for one semester at a time. As long as the student maintains a 2.5 or higher GPA, provides an updated transcript, class schedule and scholarship agreement, the scholarship will follow the student until graduation. 

What if I am receiving a scholarship and want to transfer to another school in the middle of the year?
In some cases, students may find it beneficial to transfer. If this occurs, please contact the Association to discuss the situation.

Review and Award Process

Are the Association's scholarship based on need or merit?
The Association’s scholarship is based on merit. The student must have and maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale. In addition, the student must show that they have a connection to their Tribal Nation and Indian Country and that they will utilize their degree for the benefit of their Tribal Nation and Indian Country. Other scholarships, loans or monies do not disqualify the student from receiving an award, nor does lack of funding automatically qualify the student for an award.

How do I know that status of my application?
A scholarship dashboard is available when applying for the Association scholarship. Applicants can check the dashboard for the status of their application. The application will show “pending” until the first week of August.   

Do I have to be Native American to qualify for the Association's scholarship?
Yes, all applicants must be enrolled Tribal citizens.

Do I have to be from a specific Tribe or region of the country to qualify?
The Association's scholarship is open to students enrolled in federally recognized, state recognized, and Tribes not recognized by the federal government that are located in the continental U.S. and Alaska.

I am Indian from Central/South America, am Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, or First Nations from Canada, but I live in the continental U.S. or Alaska and/or I am a U.S. citizen. Do I qualify? 
Indians from Central/South America, Hawaiian/Pacific Island and First Nations from Canada are not eligible to apply.  

I am a part time student. Do I qualify?
The Association's scholarship is for students enrolled full time for both fall and spring semesters. Full time undergraduate students are typically described as having 12 credit hours per semester.

Do you fund summer school?
The Association only funds classes taken in the Fall and Spring semesters.

​Degrees and Schools

Do I have to be seeking a certain type of degree to qualify?
Yes. Students must be seeking an Associate's degree or higher to qualify. The Association does not fund certificate programs. An allowance is made for applicants obtaining an Associate's degree or higher at a technical school. Additionally, the Association does not fund seminary or theology students. If the applicant is obtaining a non-religious degree such as nursing, at a religious based institution, they would qualify.

Do I have to be attending a specific school or a school in a specific part of the country to qualify?
The Association funds students attending several types of schools – universities, community colleges, tribal colleges, technical colleges, private colleges, and nonprofit and accredited. All schools must be accredited by one or more of the accrediting agencies recognized by the US Department of Education.

Why Didn't I Receive a Scholarship?

Why did I not receive a scholarship?
Although the Association cannot tell applicants exactly why they did not receive an award, the most common explanation is that the Association receives many more applications than there is available funding. The process is very competitive. If applicants do not get awarded this semester the Association encourages applicants to reapply next year. ​