Families from the Navajo Nation face a major financial struggle. One way this affects the younger generation is that students can’t afford to go to college. Only17% of Native American students continue their education after high school.
To reverse this cycle, organizations award scholarships to Native American students. These scholarships give hope to students from the Navajo Nation.
In this blog, we will be giving you a rundown of how to apply for these scholarships. We will also cover some of the top Navajo Nation scholarships you can apply for.
How to Apply for Navajo Nation Scholarships
When you apply for scholarships, look first at the eligibility requirements. Do not apply to scholarships for which you aren’t eligible.
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Scholarships for Navajo Nation students require proof of Indian blood. They may ask you to submit a certificate of Indian blood or show some other proof of tribal affiliation. If you aren’t able to find this information, contact the provider. They might be able to give you an alternative.
A large number of scholarships for Navajo Nation students are need-based. This means that you’ll need to file the FAFSA. You can find information about the FAFSA here.
Most of the scholarships we will share with you require enrollment in an accredited college or university. You will need to send in an admission letter or college transcripts.
Now let’s dive into those scholarships. Stick along till the end, because we’ll be giving great tips on how you can win one of these scholarships.
The Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship & Financial Assistance awards scholarships to students from the Navajo Nation. They offer a large number of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. This includes both need-based and merit-based awards.
TheirChief Manuelito Scholarship is one of their scholarships. It is a merit-based award that recognizes high-achieving high school graduates from the Navajo Nation. Scholarship winners receive $7,000 per academic year.
To be eligible, students must meet minimum GPA and ACT requirements. You can find eligible scoreshere.
The scholarship requires students to complete courses in the Navajo language and Navajo government. Students without access to the classes can complete the requirements online.
Scholarship winners must take 12 credits per semester and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Here are some other great organizations that award Navajo Nation students with scholarships.
Organizations that Award Navajo Nation Scholarships.
The American Indian Services Scholarship awards undergraduate students from the Navajo Nation. The scholarship awards students between $500 to $2,000.
Students must study at a university, college, junior college or technical school. They must be at least one-quarter Northern-Native American Indian.
The scholarship asks that applicants send in an official tuition billing statement. They also require a photograph of the applicant. Scholarship winners must maintain a minimum 2.25 GPA.
The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority awards students studying in the multi-service utility industry. This includes fields like engineering, business, and information technology. Applicants must be studying full-time toward their bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Scholarship awards are up to $2,000 per year. Recipients must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. They are also eligible for employment at an NTUA worksite during school breaks.
The Utah Navajo Health System awards students from communities serviced by UNHS clinics. Applicants can win $1,000 per year. One female and one male applicant from each area win.
To be eligible, applicants must study at an accredited college or vocational school. Preference goes to undergraduates pursuing healthcare fields. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
To apply, they must write a statement on the healthcare needs of their community. They should discuss how they plan to give back through their career in healthcare.
The Quality First Navajo Nation scholarship awards permanent residents of the Navajo Nation. They must be living in other parts of the state while pursuing a college degree.
Applicants must take at least one course per semester. Their household income must be at or below 200% of the current year’s federal poverty level. They must have a child between 0-5 who isn’t yet eligible for kindergarten.
Friends of Hubbell awards scholarships to college students from the Navajo Nation. Students must attend a two or four-year college or university and be in their junior or senior year. They must have a 3.0 GPA.
To apply, students must submit an official transcript and the Financial Needs Analysis. They must show proof of their tribal enrollment.
They also need to write a personal statement on their goals and relations to the Navajo Nation. The scholarship award is $2,500.
Scholarships for Native American Students
In addition to organizations that offer scholarships, there are also several individual scholarships that students from the Navajo Nation may apply for. Here are a few worth considering.
The American Indian College Fund awards American Indian and Alaska Native college students. Students must be pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Applicants must study at tribal colleges or public and private colleges and universities. They need to be a registered member of a federal or state-recognized tribe with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Souder Miller & Associates awards $1,500 to Native American students. Students must be pursuing four-year degrees in a STEM field. Students may use the scholarship for tuition, fees, books, and housing.
Students need to submit a Certificate of Indian Blood and transcripts. They also must provide two letters of recommendation and a personal statement. They must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Scholarship winners need to commit to four hours of community service every year.
The American Indian Education Fund awards 500,000 dollars to students every year.
Applicants must be full-time students at an accredited school. To apply, they must show proof of tribal enrollment. They must submit their ACT and GPA scores.
Students may receive up to $2,000 per year. They also receive a mentor for the academic year. They must maintain a 2.0 GPA to keep the scholarship.
The American Indian Graduate Center awards Native American students pursuing graduate degrees. The center offers more than 20 different scholarships. To be eligible, students must be studying full time and have proof of tribal affiliation. See their website for scholarship details.
Tips on Winning Scholarships
Scholarship committees want to know how the scholarship will help you succeed. In your statement, show how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals. It’s your job to convince them that their money will be well spent. Learn how to write a great personal statement.
Many personal statements will ask you to write about your connection to your tribe. Do you plan to return to your tribe after? If so, how do you plan to make a difference in your community with your degree?
Instead, they can apply for scholarships. There are many scholarships for students from the Navajo Nation. These scholarships encourage students to pursue college and break the cycle of poverty.
David Tabachnikov is the CEO of ScholarshipOwl. Formerly at Waze and Google, David is an experienced CTO/R&D manager with over 10 years of experience of leading tech teams. David fervently believes that students should have greater access to education, and is passionate about using technology to help them achieve that goal.
