Thousands of American Indian students who may not otherwise have had access to higher education graduate from tribal colleges every year.  United Tribes Technical College PhotoEveryone wants you to succeed, and the advice you’re most likely to get from wise grandmothers who couldn’t finish grade school to encouraging teachers to the successful aunt who moved to a city she never visited before is to get a college degree.



As the high school years draw to a close, some American Indian students may encounter the stereotype that they get a “free ride” through college because they are Indian.

It is true that Indian children and youth receive free secondary education at public schools, but so do many other people of many other backgrounds.

College tuition, however, isn’t just handed out, and American Indian students face the same issues. One exception is Ft. Lewis College in Durango, Colo., where American Indians do not pay tuition as part of treaty agreement for the school’s land, according to the American Indian College Fund Web site.

Yes, scholarships are available to minority students encouraging them to set their goals high and aim for a professional degree, and those scholarships like all others are competitive.

So what are your options for funding an education past high school? Amy Martin, director of communications for the National Indian Education Association, has an answer.

“When I speak with Native American students who are looking for the financial means to go to college, I point them to the following resources,” she said.

The NIEA’s John C. Rouillard and Alice Tonemah Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to several American Indian, Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian students pursuing full-time studies in an associate, bacherlor, masters or doctoral degree program. Recipients must be nominated by a member of the NIEA, and candidates must demonstrate leadership qualities, high academic achievement and commitment. The scholarship is awarded and the NIEA’s annual convention.

Bureau of Indian Education scholarships

American Indian College Fund

American Indian Graduate Center

The NIEA is based in Washington, D.C. The organization works to improve educational opportunities and resources for Native Americans. The group, supports traditional culture and values and the right to Native control over the educational institutions in the communities.

The NIEA also offers other scholarships, and there are many more offered by institutions and organizations for native people at various education levels, experiences, goals. Just as important to the scholarship search is a fundamental right-of-passage most high school students will encounter: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Commonly known as FAFSA, the form is available online (www.fafsa.ed.gov) to all students interested in financial aid. The most commonly known form is the Pell Grant, but the FAFSA is also the gateway to loans and work study program eligibility.

Also remember, Martin said, that many scholarships require you to submit a FAFSA form before you can apply. Some tribes offering scholarships and college grants also work from the FAFSA to determine an award.

“Be creative in searching for scholarships: If the student is interested in studying a specific subject, do a broad search for subjects that would support that subject of study,” she said. “Always think about new and innovative ways to get support.”

Another great way to learn about funding sources is to join organizations specific to your interests and anticipated field of study.

“If there is a group like the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and you are a student who likes science and engineering … join with them and network with that community to see what other opportunities are out there,” she said. “Most great scholarships and funding opportunities come from meeting and talking to the right people.”

For more information and features on Indian education, download a free copy of the March issue of Oklahoma Native Times at: http://www.nativetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=74&Itemid=100047



For more information on the organizations listed in this story and other organizations with similar missions, go online to the following:



National Indian Education Association

www.niea.org



American Indian College Fund

www.collegefund.org



American Indian Education Foundation

www.nrcprograms.org



Catching the Dream

www.catchingthedream.org



American Indian Graduate Center

www.aigc.com



Bureau of Indian Education

www.bie.edu