According to an HSBC report, the US has again emerged as the top choice among parents considering higher education abroad for their children. Unfortunately, the country is also one of the most expensive study destinations, with an average course fee of US$ 99,417 for a degree course. Such massive tuition costs make higher education inaccessible to many, especially indigenous students. Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native students face significant learning barriers due to high expenses.
One way to overcome the barrier to achieving educational goals is to earn college scholarships. While most funding aids are available for general categories, many specifically target indigenous students. To win a Native American grant, you must be registered as a member of a federally recognized ethnicity or tribe. Furthermore, you should meet the eligibility criteria and submit a stellar essay. You can hire a writer to create a compelling scholarship essay to impress the target graders.
Financial Aid for Native Americans
Although professional writers can help with your essays, you must know your options and apply accordingly. The eligibility requirements vary by institution, but typically, the applicant should be a registered member of a recognized tribe with strong cultural ties. If you are a Native American, there are several financial aid options for you to explore.
For undergraduates:
As an undergraduate student, you will find several options for a degree program. It would help to have a decent GPA score and ensure your grades are good enough to meet the requirements. Here’s a list of options for undergraduates:
● Accenture Native American Scholarship Fund
● Association on American Indian Affairs
● Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars
● American Indian Education Fund
● Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance
● American Indian College Fund
● The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
● American Indian Services
● Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance
Funding option for graduates:
Pursuing postgraduate studies can be expensive, especially when student loans are involved. The good news is several extremely beneficial options are also available to help undergraduate students achieve their academic goals. Let’s look at the funding options offered to reduce students’ financial burden and boost their willpower.
● Catching the Dream
● Native American Journalists Association
● Cherokee Nation College Resource Center
● Society for American Archaeology
● Native American Political Leadership Program (NAPLP)
● UH-OHA Ho’onaʻauao Higher Education Scholarship Program
Financial Aid By Major:
While most of the options mentioned above are open to Native Indians and other Indigenous students, there are options for students majoring in specific areas. Government institutions, nonprofit agencies, and non-profit professional associations offer these. Here’s the list of popular options:
● American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program
● Chahta Foundation Scholarships
● American Indian Nurse Scholarship
● American Association of Law Libraries
● Hopi Tribe Diane Humetewa Scholarship
● Indian Health Service
Grants & Bursaries for Native American Students
There are several grants, bursaries, fellowships, and internship options for Native Americans. The reward amount varies depending on the experience, mentorship, and so on, closely aligned with the requirements of a particular study area.
● Indian Health Service
● Native American Journalism Fellowship
● Federal Pell Grant
● Gates Millennium Journalism Fellowship
These funding options will make a huge difference for students struggling with their education finances. Still, other funding sources like FAFSA, work-study programs, and loans exist.
Now, What about the Indigenous Students in Canada?
If you are First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, you can explore the following options:
● Indspire – Available for Indigenous learners in Canada, where over $115 million is awarded to about 37,500 Indigenous students
● Horatio Alger Indigenous Achievement– The Horatio Alger Association offers $50,000 to five applicants for a four-year post-secondary program.
● Nelson Indigenous Student – Each year, $10,000 is awarded to one Indigenous candidate with a good academic background, success, personal strength, and the zeal to preserve their Indigenous culture and heritage.
● Husky Energy – These are offered to students enrolled in a four-year degree program, each receiving $5,000 each school year, amounting to $20,000 at the end of the degree. Students enrolled in technical programs can get $3,500 for two years, amounting to $7,000. Candidates with financial need, community involvement, and work experience are preferred.
● RBC Scholarship for Aboriginals – It is awarded to 10 suitable applicants each year, where each receives $4,000 for each academic year for 2-4 years of education. Another benefit of this program is that students get career development and internship opportunities.
● Canada Post Awards for Indigenous Students – Provides $2,000 to deserving candidates wishing to renew their educational learning.
● Dreamcatcher – The Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation offers this award to Indigenous candidates in Ontario to purchase computers, pay for organized school trips, and fund other education-related activities.
Financial Aid for Indigenous Learners in Australia
Australian universities, government, and non-profit organizations offer several funds to Indigenous candidates. Here’s a list of options you can explore:
● Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Entry – up to $10,000
● Aboriginal Rural Allied Health University Student Scholarship – up to $10,000
● Alf Waugh Indigenous Scholarship – up to $6,500
● Appen Inclusive Al Scholarship in Computational Linguistics – up to $8,000
● Aurora Internship Program – up to $4,800
● BCG ANZ Scholarship – up to $20,000
● Bendigo Bank Indigenous Scholarship Program – up to $5,000
● CAE Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engineering – $10,000 p.a. (up to 4 years)
● Extended Bachelor Program – $20,000 p.a. (up to 4 years)
● FASS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coursework – $8,500 or $4,250 p.a.
● Gadigal Accommodation
● George Harris Scholarship in Chemistry Honors – $8,500 p.a. (up to 1 year)
● G S Caird Scholarship in Chemistry $7,500 p.a. (up to 2 years)
● Judge Ralph J Perdriau First Nations Scholarship for the Bachelor of Laws $30,000 p.a. (up to 5 years)
● Lee Ming Tee Indigenous Scholarship $42,000 per year (up to 3 years)
● Mirvac Indigenous Scholarship: $15,000 for 1.5 years
● NSW Aboriginal Housing Office Accommodation Grant Up to $10,000
● SEI Honors Scholarship in Indigenous Environmental Studies $8,000 p.a. (for up to 1 year)
● Sydney Scholars Awards on Equity and Hardship Grounds $6,000
● The Holden Family Scholarship Up to $50,000 p.a. (up to 4 years)
● The Kadadjiny Indigenous Scholarship $3,500
● The Rosebrook – $15,000 per annum for up to 3 years
● The Rotary Soukup – $8,000 p.a.
● The Steglick Indigenous Women’s Scholarship $6,000
● The Women’s College Scholarships
● Kathleen Margaret K and Frederick E English Equity – $5,000
● IBB Gadigal Advanced Merit Scholarship $10,000 p.a.
● The Clissold – $7,000 p.a. (degree duration)
● The Sandra Cadwallader Indigenous Economics – $50,000 p.a. (degree duration)
● The Gregg Indigenous Scholarship in Science is $20,000 p.a. (up to one year only)
● BlueScope Indigenous Scholarship in Business $12,500 p.a. (up to 2 years)
● The Peter Koning Undergraduate Scholarship in Engineering $20,000 p.a. (up to 4 years)
● The Victoria Gollan Memorial – $1,500
● Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy – $15,000 p.a. (for up to 4 years)
And the list goes on.
Today, indigenous students have endless options to overcome their financial stringencies and achieve the bigger goal. Each funding option is given to support students in becoming a leader tomorrow. Thus, if you are applying for any of these, read the eligibility criteria carefully and submit your application within the deadline. Also, don’t hesitate to get additional help with your essay to boost your chances of securing the winning amount.
Good luck!