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Trade Scholarships

For more than 40 years, American Indian Services has awarded scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native students from member institutions. Since 2005, more than 35,000 Native students have benefited from these funds. This year, we will award 10 Utah Trade School Scholarships for those who have applied and are eligible. Each trade program has its own registration requirements and deadlines. It is important that you have completed all registration requirements prior to applying for the AIS Trade School Scholarship. 

 

What is the difference between a trade school and a college?

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If you would like to apply to a trade school outside of Utah, please apply here.

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Incomplete applications will not be processed. Late documents will not be accepted. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks AFTER the deadline for applications to be evaluated and updated online. If your application has been approved, your application status will be updated and you will receive an email. Students will be required to write a thank you letter if approved, which needs to be submitted by the specified deadline. Scholarship checks will be sent to the school after receipt of thank you letters.

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If you have questions please contact our Grants & Program Manager, Meredith Lam. You can send an email to trade@americanindianservices.org or call 801-375-1777 ext. 1011.

Requirements

  • Each trade program has its own registration requirements and deadlines, it is important that you have completed all registration requirements prior to applying for the AIS Trade School Scholarship.​

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  • Enrolled or will enroll in a trade school located in the state of Utah (incoming first time trade applicant accepted)​

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  • An enrolled member of a U.S. Federally Recognized American Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, (Visit here to find out how to contact your tribe, apply for enrollment, and/or apply for a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood).

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  • Must be a high school graduate or enrolled in a trade school program (GED accepted)

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  • Must not have received previous AIS funding for associates, bachelors, or other trade programs.

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  • Full-time or part-time status – excluding non-credit courses 

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  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 must be established and maintained after the first semester/quarter of trade school program

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  • Completed Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Trade Requirements

Required Documents

ALL required documents need to be uploaded to the student’s application and are due by the deadline. We are no longer accepting emailed, faxed, or hard copy documents. Late documents will not be accepted. Be sure to request your documents early to avoid missing the deadline.

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  • Photo of the Applicant – Photo needs to be recent. It does not have to be professional, but old, tattered, blurry, filtered photos or a copy of your ID will NOT be accepted. 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.

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  • Proof of Heritage – Proof of Heritage must show that you are either an enrolled member of a Federally Recognized Tribe or you are not enrolled but are a descendant of a base roll member.  If you are not enrolled but are a descendant, you will need to show proof of enrollment and relation. Ask your tribal enrollment office for a statement or you can apply for a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood from the BIA. Visit here to find out how to contact your tribe, apply for enrollment, and/or apply for a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood.

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  • Essay (in place of the biographical letter) – The essay is not an actual document that you will upload, but rather a text box on the application itself. What’s included:

    • Tell us about yourself. (For example something special about where you grew up, experiences with your tribe or how it has influenced you, what your family is like, the challenges you’ve had to overcome to get your education, etc.)

    • Desired career industry (uses a dropdown list).

    • Why have you chosen this field?

    • Please explain why you feel you need this scholarship.

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  • Official Tuition Billing Statement (or acceptable alternative) – The statement must reflect the term you are applying for and the tuition amount. Acceptable alternatives:

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

    • Financial Needs Analysis (FNA) form in place of a tuition statement. FNA’s for other organizations will not be accepted. Be advised that FNA’s are for full-time status only. *We are now accepting tuition statements for the Academic Year. 

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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 acceptable for incoming freshmen in their first two terms ONLY.

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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.

Trade Required Documents

Deadlines

Each trade program has its own registration requirements and deadlines, it is important that you have completed all registration requirements prior to applying for the AIS Trade School Scholarship.​

I Spring/Summer | Enrollment Opens: January 1 | Deadline: February 1

If your term starts in April, May, June, or July.

II Fall | Enrollment Opens: May 1 | Deadline: July 1

If your term starts in August, September, October, or November.

Trade Deadlines
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