Scholarship FAQ's

Our FAQs should answer all of your questions! But if you still are not sure, you can contact us as [email protected].

Applying

Eligibility

When can I apply?
The application period is February 1 through May 31 each year.

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. WATCH here.

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 Native Nation citizenship, 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 Native Nation citizenship?

A copy of the applicant's Native Nation issued ID card
A copy of an official letter from the applicant's Native Nation stating that they are citizen.

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 Native Nation and Native Country and that they will utilize their degree for the benefit of their Native Nation and Native 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 Native Nation citizens.

Students must be citizens of their respective Native Nation, either federally recognized or non-federally recognized Native Nation, from the continental U.S. or Alaska. Direct descendants do not qualify. However, if you check out the American Indian College Fund, they may have scholarships for which direct descendants qualify.

Do I have to be from a specific Native Nation or region of the country to qualify?
The Association's scholarship is open to students enrolled in federally recognized, state recognized, and Native Nations 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.

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.
Students who are enrolled part-time during their final semester before graduation remain eligible to receive award.
Full time undergraduate programs are typically described as having 12 credit hours per semester. Graduate programs may have 9 credit hours per semester. Please check with your graduate program to confirm the number of credit hours for full time enrollment.

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 U.S. Department of Education.

Denials

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.