Scholarships

Four Indigenous educational doctorate graduates in their gowns at commencment in 2023

Native American Promise Tuition Program

The program will provide substantial financial support to first-year undergraduate students and transfer students from Tribal colleges who are enrolled citizens in one of Minnesota’s 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations.

UMD American Indian/Alaskan Native Community Volunteer Scholarship

Background

UMD American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) students and others have made significant contributions to the university, community and beyond. AI/AN Alumni and others are looking back at their experience at UMD and are eager to help today's students.

Purpose

The purpose of this scholarship is to assist American Indian/Alaskan Native community volunteers in their academic endeavors. As former students, the  American Indian/Alaskan Native Alumni and others remember what it was like to attend college being non-traditional students, heads of households- with children at home, working part-time jobs and trying to make ends meet. This scholarship will make things easier for students today.

Selection Criteria

Student(s) must:

  • In accordance with the donors; wishes, the student must be a UMD student with a demonstrated commitment to volunteering with the American Indian/Alaskan Native Community
  • Be in good academic standing (2.5 G.P.A. or better)
  • Financial need preferred but not required
  • Scholarship may be given to a first year, second year, third year or fourth year student
  • Scholarship is renewable
  • Transfer students are eligible

For more information, please contact UMD's American Indian Learning Resource Center: [email protected]

Minnesota Indian Teacher Training Program (MITTP)

The Minnesota Indian Teacher Training Program (MITTP) prepares American Indian students who are pursuing a degree or certification in field of education. MITTP provides grants and student support for American Indian students. MITTP is available through MN statute 122A.63, subd. 1, which states, “A grant program is established to assist American Indian people to become teachers and to provide additional education for American Indian teachers.”

  • All applicants are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • By applying for MITTP you are agreeing to participate in required MITTP support activities at your local institution.
  • In order to participate in the MITTP program, applicants must meet the requirements of their attending institution.

Please follow the steps indicated in the application to ensure eligibility for the program. Submit the application including attachments to UMD's American Indian Learning Resource Center: [email protected].

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Endowed Scholarship

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Endowed Scholarship was established in 2008 through a generous gift from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.  The SMSC scholarship program is designed to recruit and retain talented American Indian students with demonstrated financial need to the University of Minnesota.

Ethel Curry American Indian Scholarship (University of Minnesota System)

Background

Ethel Curry was born in Hixton, Wisconsin, in 1888. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1914 with a B.A. in Mathematics and Biology. After graduation, Ms. Curry was accepted to two medical schools, but due to health considerations, did not attend either. She instead worked for the Mayo Clinic for nearly 40 years as a surgical secretary. According to her niece, Jeanne Angel, Ms. Curry lived simply and frugally, without a television or telephone. She was a lifelong scholar with a lively, inquiring mind and an independent spirit. Her tremendous wealth was attained through investments in Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M). Ms. Curry was a warm and sociable person, with compassion for American Indian people.  Ethel Curry died in 1995 at the age of 107.

Criteria

  • May be an undergraduate student.
  • Must be enrolled full-time at UMD.
  • Must be at least 1/4 Indian American Indian. (Tribal Verification)  *This can be combined blood but needs to be documented
  • Preference should be given to freshmen.
  • Renewable for up to four years.
  • Good academic standing must be maintained (i.e., 2.0 GPA)
  • Preference should be given to Minnesota residents.

Please send tribal verification to UMD's American Indian Learning Resource Center: [email protected]. Please note, there are two separate applications, one through UMD and one through the Minnesota Department of Education.

Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity (SEED)

The SEED Award program honors and acknowledges diverse students who are doing outstanding work at the University of Minnesota, both in and out of the classroom.

University of Minnesota Duluth's Cristina Guimaraes Memorial Scholarship

Eligibility Criteria

  • Plus Factors: American Indian/ Alaskan Native
  • Student Status: Returning students only of Sophomore, Junior or Senior Status.
  • Full-time: Undergraduate students only.
  • Financial need: Preferred but not required.
  • Major: Biological sciences
  • Achievement: Returning student GPA 2.5 minimum 
  • Renewability-(per semester)
    • Qualifications for renewal
    • GPA 2.5 minimum
    • Credits completed (24 credits per year minimum)
    • Limit (four years of support) 

Funding

Annual Gift, dollar amount $2200 equally distributed ($1,100. Fall and $1,100 Spring Semester)

For more information, please contact UMD's American Indian Learning Resource Center: [email protected]

Minnesota Indian Scholarship

Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota resident students who are one-fourth or more Indian ancestry and demonstrate financial need for an award. 

Minnesota Chippewa Tribal Scholarships

Morris K. Udall Foundation

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. 

For more information and to get registered to apply for the online application, please contact the American Indian Learning Resource Center: [email protected]


Scholarship Links

AILRC does not have forms for the following scholarships

All Degree Levels (Including High School Students)

AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society)

Contact person for listed AISES Scholarships:
Tina Peno
PO Box 9828, Albuquerque, NM
(505) 765-1052 ext. 105 

AISES

A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship

  • Enrolled tribal member of 1/4 or more
  • Member of AISES (dues= $25 for High School Student)
  • Pursuing a major in Science, Engineering, Medicine, Natural Resources or Math

$1000
Applications Available mid-January
Deadline June 15

AISES
  • Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation Scholarship
  • Enrolled in federally recognized tribe
  • Member of AISES (dues= $25 for High School Student)
  • Resident of AZ, CA, CO, MN, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD or WA
  • 2.0 GPA 
  • Pursuing a major in Business, Engineering, Math, Medicine/Health Administration, Natural/Physical Sciences, Technology or Education.

$2500 for 4 years
Applications available mid-January
Deadline April 15

AISES

General Motors Engineering Scholarship

  • Enrolled tribal member of a federally recognized tribe of 1/4 or more
  • Member of AISES (dues= $25 for High School Student)
  • 3.0 GPA 
  • Pursuing a major in Engineering preferred electrical industrial or mechanical engineering 

$3000/yr
Application Available mid-January
Deadline June 15

AISES

IBM

  • Enrolled tribal member of a federally recognized tribe of 1/4 or more
  • Member of AISES (dues= $25 for High School Student)
  • 3.2 GPA
  • Pursuing a major in Math, Electrical, Industrial, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science or Engineering or Information Systems

$1000 for 3.2 GPA
$1500 for 3.5 GPA
$3000 for 3.7 GPA
Applications available mid-January
Deadline July TBA

Catching the Dream
First Sergeant Douglas and Charlotte DeHorse Scholarship

  • 1/4 or more American Indian and enrolled in a federally recognized tribe
  • Completed 1 yr of an Army Air Force or Navy JROTC program
  • Students required to apply to multiple scholarships to be considered

Amount TBA

Catching the Dream
8200 Mountain Rd. NE, Suite 203
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 262-2351 ext 116

Deadlines:
April 15 for Fall
September 15 for Spring

AAIA Scholarships (Association of American Indian Affairs)

AAIA Scholarships are open to American Indian and Alaska Native students who of Indian blood or more and are enrolled citizens of their tribes.  The exception is the Allogan Slagle Memorial Scholarship.

AAIA Scholarships:
  • Adolph Van Pelt Scholarship
  • Allogan Slagle Memorial Scholarships*
  • Emilie Hesemeyer Memorial Scholarship
  • Elizabeth and Sherman Asche Memorial Scholarship
  • Florence Young Memorial Fellowship
  • David Risling Emergency Aid Scholarship
  • Displaced Homemaker Scholarship
  • Sequoyah Graduate Scholarship 
  • Association on American Indian Affairs Emergency Aid Scholarship

Students need submit one complete application package only. They will be considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible.
Questions please contact: Lisa Wyzlic: [email protected] 

Lisa Wyzlic 
Director of Scholarship Programs Assoc. on Am. Ind. Affairs
996 Hungerford Dr. Suite 12B
Rockville, MD 20850
(240)314-7155
 

AAIA Association on American Indian Affairs Emergency Aid Scholarship
  • Available to Native American Undergraduates of any major who need funds for an emergency situation.
  • Enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe
  • Approximately 20 awards are given each year between $100 and $400.
  • Available only for Fall and Spring Semesters.

Association on American Indian Affairs
ENA Scholarship
966 Hunterford Drive Ste 12 B
Rockville, MD 20850
(240) 314-7155
 

Research Assistantships for Minority High School Students

College Students

American Indian Services

UMD Magnuson Minority Scholarship

The announcement will go out to students in early Spring and here is the criteria for students to qualify for the scholarship.

  • Applicants must be a full-time UMD student during the upcoming academic year.
  • Identify as an African, African-American, Hispanic/Latino/Chicano, American Indian or Asian student
  • Completed at least one semester at UMD
  • Have financial need and have filed a Student Aid Report
  • Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Involved in community service, social justice or other related activities on campus or in the community. 

For More Information Contact: Susana Woodward at: [email protected]


Other (List of Scholarships, Internships, Tax Credits)

Page Foundation College Scholarships

Deadline: May 1
Established by Alan Page, the former Minnesota Vikings great, and member of the Minnesota Supreme Court, the Page Education Foundation encourages participation of Minnesota Students of Color in post-secondary education.  Approximately 500 renewable grants ranging from $900 to $2400 per year awarded.  Recipients must complete a service-to-children project that involves helping younger children of color by acting as mentor and role models for approximately two hours per week during the school year. Successful applicants must express a willingness to perform service to children and maintain a positive attitude towards education, and demonstrate financial need.

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program

Provides scholarships and fellowships for outstanding Native American students.  Application by Nomination. Minimum GPA 3.3. Must have demonstrated leadership commitment through participation and community service, extracurricular activities or other activities that reflect leadership abilities.  Funds available for tuition, fees, books, and living costs.  Any major may apply, undergraduate and graduate students.

Carol E. MacPherson Memorial Scholarship & MN Alumnae Society Scholarship

  • Women students (28 years of age or older) who have taken a five or more year break in education. 
  • Demonstrate financial need.
  • Admission or pending admission to an undergraduate or graduate/professional degree or credit certificate program at any U of MN campus.
  • Meet half-time enrollment status minimum.
  • Provide academic transcripts of all college/post-secondary enrollment.
  • Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filed at least 3 weeks before the scholarship deadline.
  • Good academic standing at the University of Minnesota
  • Submit support letters from two references who have known student & her educational goals.

McNair Scholars Program

Designed to prepare undergraduate students for graduate school and doctoral study. As an applicant for the McNair Scholars Program, you must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • be income eligible and be first-generation (neither parent has a bachelor's degree), or
  • be from a group that is historically underrepresented in graduate school (American Indian, Latino American, African American), and
  • have demonstrated academic ability
  • have achieved junior class standing
  • have expressed a desire to complete doctoral work
  • *be a citizen or permanent resident of the US.

Write for Application Only Scholarships

Association on American Indian Affairs Emergency Aid Scholarship

  1. Available to Native American Undergraduates of any major who need funds for an emergency situation.
  2. Enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe
  3. Approximately 20 awards are given each year between $100 and $400.
  4. Available only for Fall and Spring Semesters.

Association on American Indian Affairs
ENA Scholarship
966 Hunterford Drive Ste 12 B
Rockville, MD 20850
(240) 314-7155

MIGIZI COMMUNICATIONS, INC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

  • Madeline Moose Scholarship FundOjibwe Language and culture studies as part of degree program
  • Walter 'Porky' White Scholarship Fund- environmental or natural resources program, undergraduate level
  • First Person Journalism Scholarship Fund-undergraduate journalism or mass communications program

Grant Limit: $500.00

To be eligible, the following must be on file with the Indian Education Office, Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program, Minnesota Dept. of Children Families and Learning.

  • Minnesota Indian Scholarship Application
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Proof of tribal enrollment and/or blood quantum from a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Community. 

Send to:

The Scholarship Committee
MIGIZI Communications, Inc.
3123 East Lake Street, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55406