Native American Scholarships for Women

One of the least represented minorities, Native Americans comprises less than one percent of students in U.S. public schools. Recording high drop-out rates among American Indians and Alaskan natives, there are many colleges and organizations offering grants and scholarships to inspire Native American students to complete their education. Several scholarships for Native Americans look for the following criteria:

•Student’s heritage

•Tribe affiliation

•Family background

•Residency status

What is worst is that the female Native Americans do not get a chance to pursue higher education and remain underrepresented.

Those belonging to the low socio-economic society do not have access to the required resources to complete education. Following are the scholarships for Native American students:

American Indian College Fund

The American Indian College Fund, Established in 1989, is one of the largest sources of grants and scholarships for Native American students. With a focus on raising funds for tribal colleges in the country, the scholarships granted by the American Indian College Fund are awarded only to Native American students.

Jeanette Rankin Foundation

The Rankin Foundation offers grants and scholarships to help women over 35 to return to school and make a better living for themselves and their families.

American Indian Education Foundation

Amongst the largest funders, American Indian Education Foundation offers a sum of $450,000 to help bridge the gap. Taking care of the needs of 225 students on an annual basis, the foundation provides requisite support, encouragement and tutor assistance if required.

The Association on American Indian Affairs

focusing on the education of the youth, health isues, cultural presevation, and for the empowerment of tribal communities, the Association of American Indian Affairs provide eight scholarships to graduates and undergraduates Native American women.

Gates Millennium Scholars Program

Gates Millennium Scholars Program was started by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the year 1999. Aiming at providing the minority class students the assistance to complete college education, the scholarship is although not native American specific, however still grants funds to the students keen on pursuing academics.

American Indian Fellowship in Business Scholarship

National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development sponsors American Indian college or graduate female students majoring full-time in business studies. Promoting diversity within their industry, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development provide scholarships to make sure that financial constraints do not come in their way of pursuing college education and academic degree.

Kathryn M. Buder

Granting full scholarships to Native American students, The Kathryn M. Buder Center at Washington University helps in assisting women who are keen on practicing social work in their own communities.

CANFIT Program Scholarships

Native American women who wish to pursue a career in physical education, nutrition, and/or culinary arts can apply for the CANFIT’s scholarship opportunities. Emphasis on low-income communities and communities of color. CANFIT Program Scholarships aims at encouraging healthy eating and physical education. These programs are beneficial for those who want to pursue a health degree and contribute to the society in one form or another. With these grants, CANFIT sincerely wishes that students will share the knowledge gained during their academic tenure and help in the upliftment of their communities.

Catching the Dream

Offering grants worth $500 to $5,000, Catching the Dream is an organization offering different kinds of native American scholarships to women to pursue higher studies. These include Native American Leadership Education Program, MESBEC Program, and Tribal Business Management.

Governments

Native American women can also benefit from the government grants. Federal, state, and local governments provide the required financial assistance to enable Native American women to pursue higher education.

The grant amount fluctuates depending on the city of residence. For instance, those residing on an Indian base will have access to more local government grants and scholarships. The state awarded local scholarship opportunities go a long way in the future and helps students get financial aid for further studies. Once a student has been awarded local government grants, s/he can later apply for federal and state opportunities.