Students who have more than one quarter Indian blood are eligible for Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) scholarships. Funds may only be provided to a student who is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe. Students must apply through their tribe, home agency or area office of Indian Education. In addition, a FAFSA (Federal Student Aid) form must be filed in order to qualify. BIA provides funding for 26 institutions. Two of these organizations, the Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, are run by the BIA. The remaining 24 are tribal-run community colleges.
US Bureau of Indian Affairs
Office of Education
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240-0001
202-208-4871
800-332-9186
finaid.org/otheraid/natamind.phtml
Tribal colleges are unique because they are managed by the tribe, provide education to tribal members on the reservation and are located on the reservation's premises. The American Indian College Fund provides approximately 6,000 scholarships to Native American Indian students each year. The organization also gives financial support to the country's 33 accredited tribal colleges and universities.
American Indian College Fund
8333 Greenwood Blvd
Denver, CO 80221
800-776-3863
303-426-8900
collegefund.org
The Native American Scholarship Fund provides scholarships in Science, Math, Engineering, Education, Business and Computer Science. Both undergraduate and graduate funds are awarded. Applicants must be one fourth Native Indian or more and enrolled as a member of a recognized tribe.
Native American Scholarship Fund, Inc
8200 Mountain Rd., NE, Suite 203
Albuquerque NM 87110
505-262-2351
free-4u.com/native_american_scholarship_fund,_inc__(scholarships).htm
The Indian Health Service Preparatory Scholarship is given by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to students enrolling in baccalaureate programs in health professions, social work and accounting. Students must be citizens of the United States. This is a renewable scholarship but must be applied for each time. A one year service obligation is required for each year of funding received.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service Preparatory Scholarship Program
Twinbrook Metro Plaza, Suite 100
12300 Twinbrook Pkwy
Rockville MD 20852
301-443-0234
ihs.gov/JobsCareerDevelop/DHPS/scholarships/learn_more.cfm