Scholarship and Financial Aid Resources for American Indian BSW and MSW Social Work Students

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1 Scholarship and Financial Aid Resources for American Indian BSW and MSW Social Work Students PLEASE BE ADVISED THE FOLLOWING IS A NON-EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE YOUR OWN SEARCH FOR FUNDING SOURCES, CONTACT TRIBAL REPRESENTATIVES FOR EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS, AND TO ALSO COMPLETE A FAFSA TO SECURE FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID. University of Minnesota, Duluth Scholarship Programs Transfer Scholarship Your application to UMD also serves as your scholarship application. Students will be considered for UMD's $2,000 annual transfer scholarship based on cumulative GPA from their previous post-secondary institution(s) and for applicants who apply by the June 15th priority deadline. The scholarship will be renewable for one year following the initial award year, subject to academic standing and progress toward degree completion. Priority Deadline: June 15 Information and Application: Ethel Curry American Indian Scholarship (First-Year Students) The University will consider Minnesota residents who present written documentation of tribal enrollment and are one-fourth Indian blood quantum, and who demonstrate involvement in American Indian culture and community. The scholarship amount varies and is renewable subject to good academic standing. Application for admission serves as application for scholarship. Deadline: Application for admission Information and Application: and Merit-Based Scholarships (First-Year Students) Visit the following website to learn more about specific UMD Merit Scholarship at UMD. Information: Last Updated October

2 U Promise Scholarship (First-Year and Transfer Students) For eligible new Minnesota resident undergraduates with a family income of up to $100,000, who enroll at any of the University's five campuses, will be guaranteed a U Promise Scholarship. Eligible new freshman and transfer students enrolling for the first time in the fall of 2013 and beyond will receive a guaranteed, multi-year, U Promise Scholarship. Eligible new freshmen will receive a guaranteed need-based scholarship, ranging from $570 to $4,000 each year, for four years. Eligible new transfer students will receive a guaranteed, need-based scholarship, ranging from $640 to $2,000 each year, for two years. There is no separate application to apply. Residents of Minnesota who complete the FAFSA will automatically be considered. If you receive a U Promise Scholarship, it will be awarded on your financial aid award letter. To be eligible, students must: Apply to and be admitted to a University of Minnesota campus, having satisfied all of the University's preparation requirements. Be classified as resident of Minnesota according to University regulations, or be eligible for the Minnesota Dream Act Complete the FAFSA. It is recommended you do by this by March 1 the spring before you enroll. Enroll full-time, taking at least 13 credits a semester, in a baccalaureate degree program at the University of Minnesota. Be enrolling at the University of Minnesota for the first time as a degree-seeking student. Be working on your first undergraduate degree. (Students who have already received an undergraduate degree are not eligible for a U Promise Scholarship). Have a family income up to $100,000. The University of Minnesota Promise Scholarship applies only to fall and spring semesters. Tuition for courses taken during May or summer terms will not be covered. New freshmen recipients are guaranteed their U Promise Scholarship for four consecutive years and new transfer students will be guaranteed their U Promise Scholarship for two consecutive years, as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria below. First Year Application: Transfer Application: Information on U Promise: Last Updated October

3 Bachelor of Social Work Child Welfare Scholars Program Eligible full-time B.S.W. Social Work students can become IV-E Child Welfare Scholars. These Scholars will take specific courses during their time at University of Minnesota, Duluth and will complete their practicum at a county level child welfare program or regional tribal child welfare agency. A stipend of $3,000 per semester ($6,000 per year) will be offered to the Scholars. Child Welfare Scholars will take specific coursework and receive hands-on training for child welfare work. Accepted Scholars will retain their status and stipend each semester until graduation, pending funding and acceptable academic and professional progress. After graduation, child welfare graduates are required to apply the skills and knowledge acquired from their experience through employment in a child welfare setting. In order to qualify for this program, students must: Be admitted to the Bachelor of Social Work Program at UMD Complete an application to the BSW Child Welfare Scholars Program Demonstrate a commitment to the field of public and/or tribal child welfare Once admitted to the program, Scholars must: have a senior field practicum in a county, state, or tribal child welfare unit; complete the SW 4113: Introduction to Child Welfare course; focus SW 4103: Senior Project & SW 4120: Community Volunteer Experience in child welfare attend child welfare IV-E student meetings and training seminars as needed; be a full-time (13 credits or more) social work (BSW) student; maintain good academic standing (as defined by UMD Department of Social Work policy); and upon exit from the UMD Department of Social Work, seek and accept employment in public child welfare (if such a position is available and offered within three months of graduation) and maintain such employment for four and a half months for each semester of stipend received. Deadline: August 1 for Fall Semester Information and Application: Last Updated October

4 Statewide Scholarship Programs Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program Provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota resident students who are of one-fourth or more Indian ancestry and demonstrate financial need for an award. Scholarships are available to eligible Indian undergraduate students enrolled at least ¾ time and graduate students enrolled at least half time. In order to qualify for this scholarship, you must be: One-fourth or more American Indian ancestry A Minnesota resident Enrolled in an accredited college, university or vocational school in Minnesota Qualify for either a Pell or State Grant The award amount is based on need up to $4,000 per year for undergraduate students and up to $6,000 for graduate students. Students are eligible to receive scholarship funding for a maximum of ten years, five years for undergraduate study and an additional five years for graduate-level study. Undergraduate students seeking less than a four-year degree can receive a maximum of three years of scholarship funding in order to preserve two years of eligibility to complete a four-year degree. Students may receive the scholarship for only one degree per undergraduate educational level and one terminal degree. Students should also complete the FAFSA and an application for tribal education funds. Priority Deadline: July 1 Information and Application: Last Updated October

5 Nationwide Undergraduate Scholarship Programs American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarship Program (includes Cobell Education Scholarship for undergraduate students) The American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarship Program scholarships (which includes the Cobell Education Scholarship) are awarded to students attending non-tribal colleges. These scholarships are funded through partnerships with corporate and private donors and are available to American Indian/Alaska Native students attending public and private colleges and universities. The American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarships are administered by the American Indian College Fund and are generally based upon merit or demonstrated financial need. Minimum requirements for all American Indian College Fund Full Circle scholarships include: U.S. citizenship Enrolled full-time in an accredited public or private (non-profit) college or university Registered as a member of a federal or state recognized tribe, or a descendant of at least one grandparent or parent who is an enrolled tribal member. (Alaska Natives may use Native Corporation membership.) Trace Indian Ancestry Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0, but many Full Circle Scholarships funded by outside organizations are more competitive. You may check the scholarships available and their eligibility requirements here. There is a variety and not all will apply to social services. Submission of a completed online application Deadline: Varies on scholarship program Information and Application: Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars The Native American Scholarship is offered for students planning to work with tribes in the fields of education of social service. The Native American Scholarship: $5, annually Scholarship Requirements, submission of application by June 15 each year: 1. Be an enrolled tribal member. 2. Plan to work with a tribe or nation in the field of Education or Social Service. Career goals should involve working with Native Americans. 3. Be accepted in, or already attend an accredited college or university, enrolled in an undergraduate program and preferably entering or in his/her Junior year. Last Updated October

6 4. Maintain a 3.0 average and carry at least 10 (ten) quarter hours or 8 (eight) semester hours. This allows for a work/study program and is required for consideration. To qualify for a renewal of the scholarship award, the recipient must submit: 1. A written statement of financial need and verification of current address. 2. An official transcript of grades for the last 2 (two) semesters or last 3 (three) quarters of academic work. Requests for renewal will be accepted from April 1 to June 15 and must be on file by June 15 each year. Deadline: June 15 Information and Application: Association on American Indian Affairs David Risling Emergency Aid Scholarship This scholarship is for undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in federally recognized tribes and tribes who are not recognized by the federal government seeking a degree in any curriculum. Awards are between $100 and $400 pending availability and a qualifying emergency. Students must call the AAIA s Director of Scholarship Programs in our Rockville, MD office prior to applying. Qualifying emergencies include eviction, utility disconnection, daycare problems, and limited car repairs. Situations stemming from or going into summer are not considered. Turnaround time from contacting the office is 2 weeks. Information: Contact Information: Phone: Fax: general.aaia@indian-affairs.org Website: Last Updated October

7 Nationwide Graduate Scholarship Programs American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarship Program Students pursuing a graduate degree at any eligible college may apply for The American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarships. These scholarships are funded through partnerships with various donors. These scholarships are administered by the American Indian College Fund and are generally based upon merit or demonstrated financial need. Minimum requirements for all American Indian College Fund Full Circle graduate scholarships include: U.S. citizenship Enrolled in full-time in a graduate program at an accredited tribal. public, or private (non-profit) college or university. Registered as a member of a federal or state recognized tribe, or a descendant of at least one grandparent or parent who is an enrolled tribal member. (Alaska Natives may use Native Corporation membership.) Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0, but many Full Circle Scholarships funded by outside partners are more competitive. The scholarships available and their eligibility requirements are listed here. Not all will apply to social services. Submission of a complete online application. Graduate students who wish to apply for the Cobell Education Scholarship should contact the American Indian Graduate Center ( for more information. Deadline: Varies on scholarship program Information and Application: Catching the Dream Native American Scholarship Fund The Native American Leadership Education program (NALE) is for Native students who are paraprofessionals in Indian schools, and who plan to complete their degree in education, counseling, or school administration. Since only 7% of teachers in reservation schools are Indians, the need for more Indian teachers is huge. Scholarship Requirements Students must be 1/4 or more degree American Indian, and be an enrolled member of a U. S. tribe. "U. S. tribe" is defined as federally recognized, state recognized, or terminated. Students must be attending or planning on attending a college or university within the U. S. on a full-time basis that is fully accredited. Study must be at the college level, and can range from bachelor's degrees to postdoctoral study. Last Updated October

8 Applicants must have excellent grades, high ACT or SAT scores, some work experience, a track record of leadership, and a strong commitment to their Indian community. Student applying to any of these three programs are required to apply for all other sources of funding which is a minimum of forty (40), write a comprehensive essay about themselves and their plans,, and provide proof of high school completion, college admission, and tribal enrollment. "All other sources" includes federal financial aid, tribal scholarships, private scholarships, loans, and grants. The search for scholarships must be exhaustive, using the Internet, printed scholarship directories, and identification of scholarships in the student's local community. Students should have clear goals about what they want to accomplish in life, and should have begun preparing for this work. Their goals must be related to the betterment of an Indian tribe or community. Progress toward accomplishing a goal may be demonstrated by study, work, volunteerism, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and letters of recommendation. This scholarship program operates nationwide. Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000 per academic year. Scholarships are awarded on merit and on the basis of the students who the funders feel will most likely improve the lives of Indian people. CTD provides supplementary scholarship funding for those who have received college funding from other sources. Competition is very intense, with only 55% of applicants receiving scholarships. The Board of Directors reads and ranks the applications from students. All applications and supporting materials are confidential and cannot be released to any other entity without the written consent of the applicant. NOTE TO APPLICANTS: Online or distance education programs are not funded by CTD. Therefore, this would apply for the MSW Program only! All applicants use the same application form. Please , phone, or write your request for an application. Application must be postmarked by deadline date. If the 15th falls on a Sunday the deadline moves to the next day, Monday 16th. Deadline: March 15 for Summer; April 15 for Fall Semester; September 15 for Spring Semester Information and Application: Association on American Indian Affairs David Risling Emergency Aid Scholarship This scholarship is for undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in federally recognized tribes and tribes who are not recognized by the federal government seeking a degree in any curriculum. Awards are between $100 and $400 pending availability and a qualifying emergency. Students must call the AAIA s Director of Scholarship Programs in our Rockville, MD office prior to applying. Qualifying emergencies include eviction, utility disconnection, daycare problems, and limited car repairs. Situations stemming from or Last Updated October

9 going into summer are not considered. Turnaround time from contacting the office is 2 weeks. Information: Contact Information: Phone: Fax: general.aaia@indian-affairs.org Website: American Indian Graduate Center (includes Cobell Education Scholarship for graduate students) Basic Eligibility for all AIGC opportunities include: 1. Demonstration of one of the following: o Pursuing a master, doctoral, or professional degree as a full time student at an accredited graduate school in the United States (Fellowship, Loan for Service, Wells Fargo) 2. All applicants must be able to demonstrate financial need through submission of a Financial Needs Form (FNF) (due July 15 each year) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 3. All applicants must be able to demonstrate personal enrollment in a federally recognized American Indian tribe or Alaska Native group, or possess one fourth (1/4) degree verifiable federally recognized American Indian blood through the submission of a Tribal Eligibility Certificate (TEC) (due July 15 each year). AIGC Cobell Graduate Scholarship To be considered, applicants must : Pursuing a post-baccalaureate graduate or professional degree-seeking and fulltime student at an accredited institution in the U.S.; Able to demonstrate financial need through submission of the AIGC Financial Need Form (FNF), and; An enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native group, or provide documentation of descent (possess one-fourth degree verifiable federally recognized Indian blood) as verified through submission of a Tribal Eligibility Certificate (TEC). AIGC Fellowship The AIGC Fellowship program provides approximately $1,200,000 in fellowships to over 400 American Indian and Alaska Native graduate and professional students each year. Graduate fellowships are monetary awards made to American Indian and Alaska Native graduate or professional full-time, degree-seeking students, who meet all eligibility Last Updated October

10 criteria. The fellowship amount is typically between $1000 and $5000 per academic year (not including summer), and varies from year to year, depending on the number of qualified applicants, the availability of funds and unmet financial need. To be considered, applicants must be: Pursuing a post-baccalaureate graduate or professional degree as a full time student at an accredited institution in the U.S.; Able to demonstrate financial need through submission of the AIGC Financial Need Form (FNF), and; An enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native group, or provide documentation of descent (possess one-fourth degree verifiable federally recognized Indian blood) as verified through submission of a Tribal Eligibility Certificate (TEC). Loan for Service AIGC administers a Bureau of Indian Education contract to provide financial assistance in the form of loans to eligible American Indian and Alaska Natives seeking graduate and professional degrees. The goal is to promote opportunity for careers with tribal governments, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Affairs funded organizations on and off reservations. Loans are paid back at the rate of one year of service for one year of funding. To be considered for the AIGC Loan for Service, the applicant must: Be pursuing a graduate or professional degree as a full time student at an accredited institution in the United States; Able to demonstrate financial need through submission of a FNF; An enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native group, or provide documentation of descent (possess one-fourth degree verifiable federally recognized Indian blood) verified through submission of a TEC, and; Have a 3.0 GPA; Information and Application: AIGCS Graduate Fellowships (including Cobell Application): and/or Last Updated October