Scholarships for Native American and Indigenous Students
Scholarships can help bridge the gap between the cost of college and a family’s own resources. Many scholarships are created to support students based on how they identify. Awards are available through professional associations, companies, nonprofits, religious organizations, political groups, and colleges themselves. The criteria may consider factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.
Since funding avenues come from a wide variety of sponsors, there is not a comprehensive list that captures every single opportunity. To make the search a little easier, Bright Horizons College Coach regularly publishes information on scholarships to ensure that students from all backgrounds have access to the resources they need to pursue higher education.
Check out the resources below, along with the other posts in the series, and you may discover funding sources that will make covering that college bill a little (or a lot!) more manageable.
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we’re highlighting scholarship resources for Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Indigenous students. Note that the list below is not exhaustive, but is intended to provide a starting point for students to launch their scholarship searches. Your high school counseling office, general scholarship search sites like www.scholarships.com, and individual college websites can also provide useful information.
- American Indian Services awards scholarships primarily based on financial need to undergraduate students with verified tribal enrollment or descendant status. The organization also offers student resources, including college success programs and curated resource lists.
- American Indian College Fund supports students enrolled in or descended from state- or federally recognized tribes who attend accredited tribal or non-tribal institutions.
- Native Forward Scholars Fund offers scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students representing more than 500 federally recognized tribes across the United States.
- The Cobell Scholarship, administered by Indigenous Education, Inc., provides need- and merit-based awards to enrolled members of U.S. federally recognized tribes or Alaska Native Corporations. Eligible students can pursue degrees from vocational certificates through graduate and professional levels.
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society offers scholarships, including the A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship and several corporate partner awards, to students in STEM fields.
- Indian Health Service offers funds to support students in health profession programs who commit to serving Indigenous communities after graduation. Eligible fields include nursing, medicine, dentistry, public health, and allied health.
- The Udall Foundation provides scholarships to college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate leadership, public service, and a commitment to Native health care, Tribal public policy, or environmental issues.
- First Nations Development Institute – Native Agriculture & Food Systems Scholarship supports students studying agriculture, food systems, or sustainability. Awards promote food sovereignty and community-based agricultural leadership.
- Society for American Archaeology Native American Scholarships offer financial support for students pursuing studies in archaeology, anthropology, or museum fields. Awards include opportunities for research, field school participation, and cultural heritage preservation.
- Tribal and State Tuition Waivers may reduce or waive tuition for students who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes. Eligibility varies by location, so contact your state higher-education agency or tribal education department for details.
- Tribal Education Departments often provide scholarships or funding directly through individual nations. Each tribe sets its own policy and deadlines. For example, the Cherokee Nation’s Education Services and the Navajo Nation offer scholarship programs and college funding support.
