Scholarships & Resources for Native American and Alaskan Native Students | EduMed.org
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College means hard work and dedication, whether you major in a healthcare-related field or not. This guide focuses on resources and scholarships for Native American and Alaska Native students that help move their academic journey forward. Find materials you can use for college admission, classroom success, and turning your degree into a lasting career.
Scholarships for Native American and Alaskan Native Students
Scholarships are one of the best forms of financial aid for college because, unlike student loans, the money you receive isn’t paid back.
Large national scholarships offer students an opportunity to get big money, but large payouts often mean intense competition. That’s why more and more students narrow their scholarship search to smaller or more niche opportunities.
To get you started on your scholarship search, check out the following awards geared toward Native American and Alaska Native students.
General Scholarships
Organization
American Indian Services
Amount
Varies (typically up to $2,500)
Deadline
July and November
Eligibility
Applicant must be enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate program at a post-secondary institution, be a member or descendant of a member of a federally recognized Native American Tribe, and have a minimum 2.25 GPA.
How to Apply
Apply through the online application portal. Materials required include the completed FAFSA, current photo, most current transcripts, essay, and cost of attendance statement.
Organization
American Indian Education Fund
Amount
Typically $2,000
Deadline
April
Eligibility
Open to members and children of members of a federally recognized-tribe who are enrolled full-time in an accredited undergraduate program. Must demonstrate financial need and maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA.
How to Apply
Apply through the AIEF online portal. Submittal materials include tribal documentation, proof of enrollment, and academic records.
Organization
Association on American Indian Affairs
Amount
Typically $1,500
Deadline
May
Eligibility
Available to enrolled members of U.S. and Alaska Tribes attending or planning to attend a full-time undergraduate or graduate degree program. A minimum 2.5 GPA is also required.
How to Apply
Apply online via the AAIA official scholarship application page. Submit a current class schedule and transcript, complete the scholarship application and essay, and submit proof of tribal enrollment.
Organization
Daughters of the American Revolution
Amount
Varies
Deadline
January
Eligibility
Applicant must be enrolled in a two or four year college program, have a 3.25 minimum GPA, and show proof of Native American heritage. Awards are based on academic achievement and financial need.
How to Apply
Apply online via the application portal. Materials submitted include career goals statement, letters of recommendation, applicable transcripts, and a list of extracurricular activities.
Organization
American Indian College Fund
Amount
$2,000 to $3,000
Deadline
January
Eligibility
Open to members and descendants of members of a federally-recognized tribe who are enrolled in a certificate, undergraduate, or graduate program at a TCUS or accredited non-profit U.S. college or university. Must additionally maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA.
How to Apply
Apply via the application portal on the scholarship website. Submitted materials include a digital photo, proof of tribal affiliation, and relevant transcripts.
Medical and Health Scholarships
Organization
American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)
Amount
$5,000
Deadline
March
Eligibility
Available to ethnically/racially diverse full-time students enrolled in a graduate healthcare management program (MHA, MPH, MBA in Healthcare Administration, etc.). Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or Canadian citizen and demonstrate financial need.
How to Apply
Click the “Apply Now” link on the scholarship webpage to access the online application. Submittal materials include transcripts, current CV or resume, three letters of recommendation, and an essay.
Organization
National Society of the Colonial Dames of America
Amount
$1,500
Deadline
June and December
Eligibility
Applicants must be one-quarter American Indian, enrolled in a tribe, or be able to prove direct tribal ancestry, enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in the healthcare field, and demonstrate financial need.
How to Apply
Fill out the online application on the scholarship website and follow instructions for submittal. Submitted materials include copy of tribal membership certification, GPA and official transcripts, photo, FAFSA student aid report, two letters of recommendation, and 450- to 500-word essay.
Organization
Allina Health and the Courage Kenny Foundation
Amount
Varies ($2,000 is common)
Deadline
April
Eligibility
Open to residents of Minnesota or Western Wisconsin and students attending schools in either region pursuing a career in healthcare. Applicants must also be from an ethnically diverse group, possess a 3.0 or higher GPA, and demonstrate financial need.
How to Apply
Complete the application online via the scholarship website. Submitted materials include two reference letters, proof of financial need, and essay on the subject of volunteer and community service.
Organization
Indian Health Service
Amount
Varies (minimum $1,500/month)
Deadline
February
Eligibility
Graduate and undergraduate students who are members of a federally-recognized Tribe and will earn a professional health degree. Applicant agrees to fulfill a full-time service commitment upon graduation.
How to Apply
Apply via the application portal on the scholarship webpage. Materials submitted include official transcripts, tribal documentation, two evaluations, and three essays. See the application handbook for details.
5 Keys to Landing Your Scholarship
Scholarships are highly sought after because they offer free education funding. But that means competition is strong for scholarship awards.
That’s why it’s critical that your scholarship application makes the best impression it can on the selection committee. To help you do that, consider these valuable application tips:
- Key #1: Follow the instructions
This seems like common sense, but skipping a requirement can ruin your chances of winning the scholarship before anyone even looks at your application. Maybe it’s a missed deadline, going over the essay word limit, or submitting the wrong materials — all that hard work and effort will be for naught. - Key #2: Look for local scholarships
Local scholarships might be smaller in amount, but they’re probably going to receive far fewer applications. And that can drastically increase your chances of winning the award. - Key #3: Start as soon as possible
You never know exactly how long the application process will take. Maybe your essay needs a few more revisions or someone you asked for a recommendation is delayed in completing their letter. - Key #4: Revise and double check
Review, revise, and double check every detail of your application and submitted materials to avoid making a costly mistake. This is particularly true when it comes to personal statements and essays, where you can make a big impression on the selection committee. - Key #5: Think about taking a risk
There’s a very subtle difference between being bold and crossing a line, but — depending on the particular scholarship and what you have in mind — taking a risk might be worth it. Standing out with your application is a big challenge, but it’s what often makes the difference between an award and a rejection.
College Resources for Native American and Alaskan Native Students
There are lots of quality resources available to Native American and Alaska Native students. Some help lower the cost of their education while others help them succeed while they’re in school.
And still others assist both students and graduates with professional development.
Here’s a look at some of the very best:
Academic & Career
- American Indian College Fund (AICF)
At the AICF, the primary goal is to improve the lives of Native American communities and individuals by lowering the hurdles to education. This includes offering scholarships, internships, promoting research, and providing networking opportunities. - Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA)
Association of professors, researchers, community leaders, students, and others. The NAISA offers a variety of resources, including internship, fellowship, publication, and networking opportunities to advance scholarly learning. - Native Forward Scholars Fund (NFSF)
Offering over 30 scholarship and fellowship opportunities, the NFSF empowers American Indian and Alaska Native students through undergraduate, graduate, and professional education funding.
Social & Networking
- Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC)
The primary goal of the ANHC is to preserve and recognize the Alaskan Native culture. This includes offering classes, community events, and special cultural awareness workshops for professionals working within Alaskan Native communities. - Alaska Native Professional Association (ANPA)
The ANPA focuses on improving the lives of Alaska Natives by including related organizations through the use of networking, leadership, and community service. - National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
The NCAI is the preeminent organization representing the interests of American Indian and Alaskan Native communities. Resources include publications, conferences, fellowships, youth programs, and initiatives.
Advocacy & Diversity
- Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN)
Working with the federal government, the AFN is the leading organization in Alaska promoting the interests of Alaska Natives. - National Indian Education Association (NIEA)
Through various educational and advocacy programs, the NIEA seeks to improve the opportunities for Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives. - Association on American Indian Affairs
Non-profit organization working to protect the traditions, cultures, values, and beliefs of Native Americans through a variety of initiatives, including financial assistance and cultural education.
Healthcare Education
- Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP)
Non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of the health of American Indian and Alaska Natives by promoting healthcare education. - Association of Native American Medical Students (ANAMS)
The ANAMS’ mission is to promote the interests of indigenous allied health and medical students. - National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA)
The NSNA advances the interests of nurses and nursing students by providing leadership development opportunities, improving nursing education, promoting nursing skills, and helping students become licensed as registered nurses.
