The college process is daunting. Between standardized tests, submitting applications, and waiting to be accepted, it’s not easy. Once accepted, there’s the question of how you will pay for college. Many Native students do not have enough funds readily available to cover their schooling. That’s where scholarships come in. Today, there are some amazing scholarship opportunities to help Native students on their college journey. Here are a few of the top scholarships to consider.
AISES Scholarships
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society has a variety of scholarships in partnership with organizations like Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Intel. Awards range from $1,000 up to $10,000 per academic year, and are available to graduate and undergraduate students. Scholarships focus on a variety of different fields and career paths — there really is something for everyone. Head over to the AISES website to learn more.
American Indian College Fund
The American Indian College Fund is another great source for Native student scholarships. Since 1989, the organization has awarded more than 143,000 scholarships. The organization offers both Full Circle and Tribal College and University scholarships. With a specific scholarship for students attending Tribal Colleges and Universities, there’s a way to ensure that regardless of where you go to school, there’s a scholarship for you. Scholarship award amounts vary but are available to both undergraduate and graduate students.
American Indian Education Fund
The American Indian Education Fund provides scholarships for all Native students — undergraduate and graduate — who meet the criteria. Award amounts may vary but can be as much as $2,000 per year. Submitting your application by the early deadline also gives you an extra point toward your overall application score.
Generation Google Scholarship
The Generation Google Scholarship supports students pursuing computer science degrees. While it’s open to all students, Google strongly encourages students from underrepresented populations to apply. Chosen students will receive $10,000 for the academic year.
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship
Amazon’s Future Engineer Scholarship is open to anyone interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a computer science–related field of study. While not specifically for Native students, they do note in the selection criteria that racial, ethnic, and gender diversity is considered when reviewing applications. One hundred winners are chosen each year, each receiving $40,000 for college and a guaranteed paid internship at Amazon.
Scholarship Websites
Don’t forget about the number of other websites out there that provide comprehensive lists of Native student scholarship and award opportunities. Websites such as scholarships.com and scholarships360 provide extensive lists of scholarship opportunities for Native students, women, students in STEM, and more. Make sure to review these resources to see if there are additional opportunities that might be right for you.
The last thing you want to be thinking about during college is funding your education. So make sure to look into the numerous scholarships and funding opportunities available to Native students. Keep in mind that not all award criteria are the same. Some may require you to be at least one-quarter American Indian, while others may only be available to you after you’ve pursued options such as Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Before applying for a scholarship, be sure to carefully review the criteria and have all of the necessary documents readily available. There are some amazing scholarship opportunities out there — don’t let them pass you by.
On Topic
Brook Thompson, Yurok and Karuk, was Region 1 Student Representative in 2019 and is currently working on her master’s in environmental engineering with a focus on water resources at Stanford University.
College is expensive. Should tuition be the driver in deciding where to pursue a degree? Why/Why not?
Tuition is definitely a factor! No matter where you go, college is what you make it. Having any college education is important. Loans can seem like an easy solution in the moment but starting out a career in debt can be a setback. Tuition price should be one of several considerations of pros and cons to weigh out when making a college decision. Personally, I have had more than a handful of friends who regretted going to school out of state because of the large tuition difference. If possible, consider living in the state where you want to go to school before applying so you can qualify for residency tuition.
There is always the option to get scholarships in the second year of school if you are not able to get funding for your first year. Fortunately, AISES offers a wide variety of scholarships for all levels of education. Remember, though, that the cost of college doesn't end at tuition. Be sure to factor in fuel prices if you have a car, housing costs, and living expenses, which vary greatly from city to city. In short, tuition should be a major factor in deciding where to pursue a degree, but not the only factor.
