It is time for upcoming and recent Native graduates to look towards various methods for funding their studies. Whether you apply to a school or University that offers financial relief for Native students, or seek Native-specific scholarships, here is a running and frequently updated list of programs that help Native students of all backgrounds.
Please note, that all of the highlighted parts are hyperlinked, and clickable, to the direct website.
Scholarships
Deadline: April 4
This scholarship is available to individuals with tribal enrollment for themselves or their parents. It provides an award of up to $2,000 per year.
Application deadlines Summer: May 1 - July 1; Fall; July 1 - Sept 15
Chickasaw Nation members who maintain a 3.0 GPA and take three or more credit hours per semester are eligible for this award. The amount varies depending on enrollment status and GPA.
Deadline: May 31
Provides scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native college students who are enrolled in certificate, undergraduate, or graduate programs at tribal colleges, universities, or nonprofit, accredited schools.
This scholarship offers various award amounts. To be eligible, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Deadline: June 1
Students who are members of federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply for this scholarship, which offers up to $5,000 per year and requires a minimum GPA of 2.7.
Deadline: June 15
Tribal members who are enrolled in at least 8 semester hours and maintain a 3.0 average are eligible to apply for a renewable $5,000 award.
Deadline: September 15
Native American high school seniors can benefit from three different scholarship opportunities through this program
To qualify, a high GPA is necessary, and priority is given to those pursuing STEM topics. The award amount varies.
University-Specific Programs and Scholarships
This plan ensures an in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees are fully covered for California students who are enrolled in federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes. This plan applies to undergraduate and graduate students.
What’s covered?
Tuition and student services fees will be fully covered by either UC financial aid or another federal, state, or other financial aid program.
Students with greater financial need can qualify for even more grant support to pay other educational expenses.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the Native American Opportunity Plan, students must meet all of the following criteria
Must be a current or newly admitted University of California undergraduate, graduate, or professional school student
Must be a California Resident
Must be an enrolled member in a federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and/or Alaska Native tribe
Must be enrolled in a qualifying UC degree program.
Undergraduates must apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA, if eligible for federal aid, or California Dream Act application.
The University of Arizona has an “Arizona Native Scholars Grant (ANS)” program that ensures tuition, mandatory fees, and college fees are covered for Native, Arizona Residents, and undergraduate students seeking their first Bachelor’s degree.
The amount of the ANS grant will be different for each student depending on the amount of gift aid they receive. The ANS grant does not cover any other expenses, including books, parking, housing, or meal plan charges.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Arizona Native Scholars Grant (ANS), upcoming Fall 2025 First Year, Readmit, Transfer New Admits, Current students who have not met eligibility requirements in a prior term must:
Have a complete University of Arizona application by April 1st.
File a 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form by April 1st.
Be an enrolled and verified member of one of the 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes, which entitles you to be considered an Arizona resident for tuition purposes.
Enroll full-time (12 + units) at the University of Arizona’s main campus in a degree-seeking program.
Oregon State University students who are enrolled members of the 574 federally recognized tribes as included on the federal register, shall be considered residents of the state of Oregon for tuition purposes. Students who are enrolled members of the nine tribes of Oregon may also be eligible to enroll in the state of Oregon's Oregon Tribal Student Grant Program, which assists up to the cost of attendance at Oregon public and private non-profit colleges and Universities.
The policy applies to all current and new OSU students enrolled beginning in the fall term of 2022.
The Native American Waiver and Education Program pays all tuition and mandatory University fees for eligible students.
Tuition for any regular credit-bearing course (graduate or undergraduate level) during the fall and spring semesters is waived whether or not the student is enrolled in a degree program.
There are also room and board grants.
To be considered applicants must:
Be accepted for enrollment at one of the University of Maine campuses and
Provide proof of eligibility as outlined
Obtain clear original tribal documentation
Be a biological child of a tribal citizen. A non-native son or daughter who has been adopted by a tribal citizen - does not qualify for the Native American Waiver and Educational Program.
If you are a citizen of Maine Wabanaki Tribes:
You are considered a Maine tribal citizen if your name is included on the current tribal census of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band Maliseets, or the Aroostook Band of MicMac
If you are a Descendant:
You must provide proof in the form of:
An original document from a Maine Wabanaki recognized tribal office stating that a parent or a grandparent is an enrolled citizen of that tribe, or has enrollment on the tribal census
Original birth certificate(s) documenting Wabanaki descendancy.
If you are a citizen of another North American Indian Tribe:
To be considered a tribal citizen of another tribe, you must be enrolled in a federally recognized tribe.
According to a Colorado State Bill, Native American students who are registered members of a federally recognized American Indian tribe with historical ties to Colorado are eligible for in-state tuition at Colorado public universities and colleges.
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a federally recognized tribe with historical ties to Colorado.
See the list here.
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