For more information about and assistance applying for these scholarships, contact Lara Nelson, American Indian Circle Program director and academic advisor, in Mewaldt-Jensen 109; call 605-626-3573; or email lara.nelson@northern.edu.
Truman D. Picard Scholarship
Deadline: January 26
Summary: Dedicated to the support of Native American students pursuing a higher education in natural resources.
Application: Visit Intertribal Timber Council
Society for American Archaeology Native American Scholarships
Deadline: January 31
Summary: Scholarships open to all native peoples from anywhere in the Americas: Alaska natives, native Hawaiians, and indigenous Pacific Islanders in the field of archeology. Multiple scholarships available.
Application: Visit Society for American Archaeology Native American Scholarships
American Indian Services Grants and Scholarships
Deadline: February 1
Summary: The AIS Scholarship program is to help undergraduate Native American students with financial support to attend college, maintain enrollment, and graduate. Scholarship awards are based on up to one-half of tuition and need for the term the student is applying for and are allocated directly to the school for the student. Students will need to have their own email account to apply.
Application: Visit American Indian Services Grants and Scholarships
Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 28
Summary: Applicant must be an enrolled member of an American Indian tribe who graduated from an accredited South Dakota high school and apply within five years of high school graduation or one year after release from active duty (if release is within five years of high school graduation). Requires application, two letters of recommendation, official high school and college transcript, verification of tribal enrollment, essay, listing of high school/college activities and ACT scores (if applicable). Award amounts vary from $1,000 each to $2,500 (see program detail).
Application: Visit Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarship
International Order of the King's Daughters and Sons North Indian (IOKDS)
Deadline: March 1
Summary: Applicant must have a documented tribal registration number and be enrolled in a technical, vocational, or college undergraduate program for a minimum of nine credit hours each semester. $1,000 scholarship for recipient's field of choice.
Application: Visit IOKDS Native American Scholarships
The Cobell Scholarship
Deadline: March 31
Summary: Applicant must be an enrolled member of a U.S. federally recognized tribe enrolled full time in a degree-seeking program and demonstrate financial need. Scholarship awards and amounts vary.
Application: Visit Cobell Scholarship
AIANTA Tourism and Hospitality Scholarship
Deadline: April 26
Summary: AIANTA strongly encourages indigenous students to sustain and strengthen their cultural legacy while building their careers in the tourism industry. Applications open to indigenous students pursuing a degree in hospitality, tourism, recreation, culinary arts or related fields. $2,000 scholarship.
Application: Visit AIANTA Tourism and Hospitality Scholarship
Okhichanye Scholarship
Deadline: April 30
Summary: Applicants must be Native American high school seniors pursuing a degree in the agriculture industry. This can include but is not limited to animal science, agriculture business, agriculture economics, horticulture, and more. $2,000 scholarships available.
Application: Visit Okhichanye Scholarship
Southwest Native American Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: May 1
Summary: Applicants must be an enrolled member of a U.S. federally recognized tribe. Open to students seeking almost any educational opportunity.
Application: Visit SWNAF Scholarship Application
The Bureau of Indian Education Higher Education Grant Program
Deadline: June 1
Summary: Applicants must be American Indian or Alaska native students seeking a bachelor's degree and be a current member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or American Indian descendant with at least one-fourth Indian blood. Graduate student scholarship available. Requires application. Scholarship amounts vary.
Application: Visit Indian Higher Education Grant Program
Adolph Van Pelt Foundation
Deadline: June 13
Summary: Offers a $1,500 grant to American Indian and Alaska native undergraduate students who have economic need and are seeking a degree in any discipline.
Application: Visit Collegexpress
Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars
Deadline: June 15
Summary: Applicants must be an enrolled tribal member planning to work with a tribal nation in the field of education or social service. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA, preference given to those entering junior year. One $5,000 and $2,500 scholarship available.
Application: Visit Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars
Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) Scholarship
Deadline: July 7
Summary: Applicant must be an enrolled member of a U.S. federally recognized tribe. This scholarship is available to help students pursue their career and educational goals in the field of natural resources. Available in amounts from $1,500 to $2,000.
Application: Visit Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) Scholarship
First Nations Native Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship
Deadline: August 10
Summary: Open to Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian college students who plan to enter agriculture and food systems fields so that they can assist their communities' food systems efforts. Must be majoring in an agriculture-related field. Scholarships available from $1,000 to $1,500.
Application: Visit First Nations' Native Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship
The Gates Scholarship (TGS)
Deadline: September 15
Summary: The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential. Applicant must be a high school senior, Pell-eligible, and have at least a 3.3 GPA.
Application: Visit The Gates Scholarship
Ardell Bjugstad Scholarship
Deadline: See website
Summary: The Ardell Bjugstad Scholarship Program for Native American Students provides support for freshman Native American Students who are pursuing studies in agribusiness, agricultural production, agricultural sciences, or a natural resources degree at any postsecondary institution.
Application: Visit SD Board of Regents
Tribal Workers Charitable Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: See website
Summary: Applicants must be a member of one the following tribes: Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, or Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
Application: Visit Tribal Workers Charitable Foundation Scholarship
Udall Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: See website
Summary: Scholarship available to Native Americans and Alaskan Natives working towards positive solutions to environmental challenges or issues impacting indigenous peoples. $7,000 scholarships available.
Application: Visit Udall Foundation Scholarship
NSCDA American Indian Medical School Scholarship Award Program
Deadline: See website
Summary: The American Indian Medical School Scholarship is awarded to students of American Indian descent to help them pursue education in the medical field.
Application: Visit American Indian Medical School Scholarship
American Indian College Fund Scholarships
Deadline: See website
Summary: The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships to graduating American Indian and Alaska Native college students enrolled in certificate, undergraduate, or graduate programs at accredited public or private, non-profit college or university in the U.S. Applicants submit one application each year to be considered for a portfolio of scholarships. Award amounts vary but average between $2,000 to $3,000. Applicants must be an enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, or a descendent of an enrolled member; have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00; and maintain full-time enrollment in school.
Application: Visit American Indian College Fund Scholarships
Native Forward Scholars Fund
Deadline: See website
Summary: Native Forward uses its scholarship finder to empower native leaders through national scholarship funding and student services to share their voices and strengthen their communities.
Application: Visit Native Forward
The Gates Millennium Scholars
Deadline: See website
Summary: Funded by a $1.6 billion grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the program removes financial barriers to education for high-performing, low-income students of certain ethnic backgrounds. Applicants must be citizens, legal permanent residents or nationals of the United States and have a cumulative GPA of 3.3, among other requirements.
Application: see The Gates Millennium Scholars
American Indian Education Fund Undergraduate Scholarships
Deadline: See website (priority deadline March 1)
Summary: Either the applicant or the applicant's parent must have documented membership as a Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian. Requires application, essay, transcript and documentation of membership. $2,000 scholarships awarded.
Application: Visit American Indian Education Fund Undergraduate Scholarships
New Mexico Gas Company Native American Scholarship Program (NASP)
Deadline: See website
Summary: To be eligible for an award, the student must be a Native American resident of New Mexico, an enrolled member of a New Mexico Pueblo, tribe, or nation, and a graduate or expected graduate of a New Mexico high school; or must have obtained a GED from New Mexico. $2,000 scholarship.
Application: Visit New Mexico Gas Company Native American Scholarship Program (NASP)
American Indian Scholarship Fund Association
Deadline: Contact American Indian Scholarship Fund Association, 1508 Crossroads of the World, Los Angeles, CA 90020.
Summary: Provides scholarships and loans to American Indian students.
National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
Deadline: See website
Summary: Several scholarships, including the DAR American Indian Scholarship and Frances Crawford Marvin American Indian Scholarship.
Application: Visit National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
Dakota Indian Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: See website
Summary: Renewable $500 scholarships available to sophomore, junior or senior American Indian students with preference given to those of Lakota, Dakota, Nakota heritage.
Application: Visit Dakota Indian Foundation Scholarship
Ethel and Emery Fast Scholarship Foundation
Summary: American Indian applicants who have completed one year of college (graduate or undergraduate) may apply. For an application, write to the Ethel and Emery Fast Foundation, 12620 Rolling Road, Potomac, MD 20854 or phone 301-762-1102.
Indian Health Service Scholarship
Deadline: See website or contact Aberdeen Area Indian Health Service at 605-226-7343.
Summary: The Indian Health Service (IHS) offers three scholarships for American Indian and Alaska Native students to educate and train health professionals to staff Indian health programs.
Application: Visit Indian Health Service Scholarship
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society Scholarships
Deadline: See website
Summary: Several scholarships up to $10,000 are offered to American Indian students.
Application: Visit The American Indian Science and Engineering Society Scholarships
Native American Scholarship Fund - Catching the Dream
Deadline: See website
Summary: Resources for and links to scholarships and grants for American Indians.
Application: Visit Native American Scholarship Fund - Catching the Dream
Graduate Student Scholarships
Deadline: See website
Summary: Students pursuing a graduate degree at any eligible college may apply. Awards are based upon merit or demonstrated financial need. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Application: Visit American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarships
S.D./N.D. Tribal Programs
Phone: 605-245-2221
Phone: 605-473-5561
Phone:605-747-2375, 1-887-808-3283
Phone: 701-854-8500
Yankton Sioux Tribe Higher Education Scholarships
Phone: 605-384-3997
Phone: 605-964-7880/7882
Phone: 605-997-3891
Sisseton/Wahpeton Oyate Tribe Higher Education Program
P.O. Box 689 Sisseton, S.D. 57262
Phone: 605-698-3966 ext. 704
Phone: 605-867-5338, 1-800-832-3651
Email: highered@gwtc.net
Phone: 701-627-4112