The Department of American Indian Studies curates this list of scholarship opportunities to help you secure funding for your education. While this guide is not exhaustive, it is a strong starting point. Note that accessing many of these funds, including state programs for both Minnesota residents and out-of-state remote students, requires a completed FAFSA.
American Indian Studies Scholarships & Awards
Our department is proud of the accomplishments and success of our students. We try our best to recognize their achievements by offering annual awards and scholarships with the support of our donors and the community.
Wells Fargo American Indian Studies Scholarshipᵁᐟᴳ
The University of Minnesota Duluth announces the establishment of the Wells Fargo American Indian Studies Scholarship. This scholarship is for 2027-2028 academic year. Ten students will each receive a $2500 scholarship which will be even distributed during Fall 2027 and Spring 2028.
Eligible applicants must be one of the following:
- An enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe,
- Eligible for enrollment in a federally recognized tribe,
- Recognized as a descendant of a federally recognized tribe,
- Identified as American Indian by the Indian Education Act, OR
- Identified as Canadian Indian by the Indian Act RSC 1985, CI-5.
Respondents need to be signed in to a Google Account to apply by deadline of May 1, 2027. If all of your documents are not submitted by May 1 at 11:59 pm, your application will not be eligible for review. Awardees will be selected and notified on or before May 15, 2027.
American Indian Studies Scholarshipᵁ
The purpose of the fund is to provide financial support to students at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Students are eligible to be considered for this award if they are: a) attending the University of Minnesota Duluth; b) undergraduate degree-seeking students; c) studying towards a major or minor in American Indian Studies or Tribal Administration and Governance.
Neezh Odain Scholarshipᵁ
Awarded to undergraduate students studying towards a degree in American Indian Studies or Tribal Administration and Governance who are in good academic standing.
University of Minnesota Scholarships & Funding
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Endowed Scholarshipᵁᐟᴳ
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Endowed Scholarship was established in 2008 through a generous gift from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. The SMSC scholarship program is designed to recruit and retain talented American Indian undergraduate and graduate students with demonstrated financial need to the University of Minnesota. The SMSC scholarship program is administered by the University's Office for Equity and Diversity.
Native American Promise Tuition Programᵁ
The Native American Promise Tuition Program is a program covering 100% of tuition for UMD undergraduate students who are enrolled citizens of one of the 11 federally-recognized Tribal Nations in Minnesota and who have completed the FAFSA and submitted the American Indian Scholars Program Application. Students will be first considered for the American Indian Scholars Program, then the Native American Promise Tuition Program.
State of Minnesota Scholarships & Funding
North Star Promiseᵁ
The North Star Promise Program creates a tuition and fee-free pathway to higher ed for eligible Minnesota residents seeking their first bachelor's degree at eligible institutions as a "last dollar" program by covering the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends, and tuition waivers have been applied.
American Indian Scholars Programᵁ
The American Indian Scholars Program provides a first-dollar tuition and fee-free pathway for Minnesotans eligible for resident tuition who are enrolled members or citizens of any federally recognized tribe or Canadian First Nation to attend a Minnesota State institution or the University of Minnesota to seek their first bachelor's degree. Students not eligible for resident tuition who are enrolled members or citizens of a Minnesota Tribal Nation are also eligible for the program.
Minnesota Indian Scholarship Programᵁᐟᴳ
Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota resident undergraduate and graduate students who are of one-fourth or more Indian ancestry and demonstrate financial need for an award. Interested students should complete the Minnesota Indian Scholarship application. They should also complete the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application and an application for tribal education funds.
Priority deadline: July 1.
Ethel Curry American Indian Leadership Scholarshipᵁᐟᴳ
Ethel Curry American Indian Leadership Scholarship program supports federally enrolled undergraduate and graduate students residing in the state of Minnesota up to $2,000 per academic year and graduate students up to $4,000 per academic year.
Application Window: March 1 to May 31, annually.
External Scholarships & Awards
There are also many external scholarship opportunities.
Please note this is not a comprehensive list; students are encouraged to explore all possibilities.
Native Forward Scholars Fundᵁᐟᴳ
Native Forward Scholars Fund helps connect Native students to scholarship funding and support for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.
American Indian College Fundᵁᐟᴳ
American Indian College Fund provides scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native college students seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees at tribal colleges, nonprofit, and accredited schools.
Intertribal Timber Council
The Intertribal Timber Council has a wide array of scholarship opportunities with various deadlines.
Page Education Foundation
The Page Education Foundation awards scholarships to Minnesota students of color who attend Minnesota post-secondary schools and agree to complete annual service projects with young children. Students at all levels of academic achievement can qualify for a grant.
Application deadline: April 1st.
Udall Foundation
The Udall Foundation has internship and scholarship program opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native Students.
Cobell Scholarship
The Cobell Scholarship is a competitive, merit-based scholarship awarded to a federally enrolled citizen seeking a post-secondary degree.
Application deadline: March 31.
Daughters of the American Revolution American Indian Scholarship
The Daughters of the American Revolution American Indian Scholarship are awarded to help Native American students of any age, any tribe and in any state striving to get an education at the undergraduate or graduate levels. However, undergraduate students are given preference. All awards are judged based on financial need and academic achievement.
Application deadline: January 31st.
Additional External Scholarship & Award Resources
The department also maintains a document listing resources for finding other external scholarship and financial aid resources.