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College Scholarships

The AIS Scholarship program is to help undergraduate Native American/Alaska Native students with financial support to attend a college or university, maintain enrollment, and graduate. Scholarship Awards are based on need for the term the student is applying for and are allocated directly to the school for the student. Students will need to have their own email account in order to apply.

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GUIDELINES​

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TIPS

  • Follow American Indian Services on Facebook or Instagram for program updates

  • Use a personal email address to create an account instead of a school account in case you change schools and get locked out.

  • Be sure to mark emails from Smarter Select in your safe senders list.

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Incomplete applications will not be processed. Late documents or applications will not be accepted. Please do not contact our office regarding the status of your application. Notification emails will go out during the month of the award name. September Award notification will go out in September, and January Award notifications will go out in January to the email you signed up with. Your application status online will also be updated. Students will be required to write a thank you letter if approved, which needs to be submitted by the specified deadline. Scholarship awards will be sent to the school after receipt of thank you letters.

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If you have questions visit our FAQ or contact the AIS Scholarship Department. You can send an email to scholarship@americanindianservices.org or call 801-375-1777 ext. 1002.

Requirements

  • Enrolled or will enroll (as a matriculated student) in an accredited university, college, or junior college located in the United States (incoming freshman accepted).

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  • An enrolled member of a U.S. Federally Recognized American Indian or Alaska Native Tribe/Entity or a direct descendant of a base roll member. (Contact your tribe or the BIA to find out how to apply for enrollment, and/or apply for a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood).

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  • Undergraduate student with no more than 150-semester credits or 210 quarter credits. First bachelor’s degree only, graduate studies NOT eligible.

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  • Full-time or part-time status – excluding non-credit courses, taking a minimum of 6 credits per term.

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  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 must be established and maintained after the first semester/quarter of college.

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  • Completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year you are applying for.

Requirements

Required Documents

ALL required documents need to be uploaded to the student’s application and are due by the deadline. We are NOT accepting emailed, faxed, or hard copy documents. Late documents/applications will not be accepted. Be sure to request your documents early to avoid missing the deadline.

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  • Photo of Applicant – Photo needs to be a recent photo of the student, but it does not have to be professional. The photo will be sent to potential donors who may fund your scholarship and/or used for marketing purposes. Go here for tips on how to take a great applicant photo. 

    By submitting a photograph, the applicant grants AIS permission to use the image for
    scholarship administration, donor communications, annual reports, social media,
    marketing materials, and other organizational purposes unless prohibited by law.

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  • Proof of Heritage – Proof of Heritage must demonstrate either tribal enrollment or lineal descent from a federally recognized tribal member. AIS may request additional documentation to verify eligibility.​

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  • Essay – The essay will need to be a separate document that you will upload. What’s included:

    • Tell us about yourself - Introduce yourself, include where you are from and/or something special about where you grew up, experiences with your tribe or how it has influenced you, the challenges you've had to overcome to get you where you are today, what you are studying and why, where you see yourself after graduation and how this scholarship will help you.
      You do not have to limit your essay to the above, but it does need to be at least one-page in length, 12-point font, and double-spaced.
       

  • Cost of Attendance / Statement of Fees (or acceptable alternative) – The statement will need to show your school, your name, and the total cost or estimated cost of attendance and financial aid for the term and year you are applying for. Students are able to upload this document themself or choose to have the school submit it. Be sure to select the correct option on the application. 

    Below are sample templates the school may use, or they may create their own:

    • Letter of the estimated cost of attendance from your school stating your name, the term you are applying for, and the estimated cost of attendance for however many credits you plan to take for that term.

    • Financial Needs Analysis (FNA) form in place of a cost of attendance or statement of fees. FNA’s for other organizations will not be accepted. Be advised that FNA’s are for full-time status only.

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  • Current Transcript (can be unofficial) – DO NOT WAIT for final grades to be posted and submit the most current transcript as of today. You don't need to pay for an official transcript. You can submit an unofficial transcript. High school or GED transcripts are ONLY acceptable for incoming freshmen in their first two terms.

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  • Thank-You Letter (only required if your application is approved). Click here for tips on how to write a thank you letter.

Required Documents

Scholarship Deadlines

American Indian Services offers two scholarship award cycles each year. Applicants must apply for the award cycle that corresponds with their school's academic calendar.

September Award | Application Opens: May 1 | Deadline: July 1

For students attending during the Fall semester, Fall Quarter, or equivalent academic term.

January Award | Application Opens: September 1 | Deadline: November 1

For students attending during the Winter Quarter, Spring Semester, or equivalent academic term.

Deadlines
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