Aid to Native Americans

Deadline & Application Award Eligibility Help & Resources

Grant for enrolled members of a New York State tribe or their children.

  • Receive up to $2,000 per year

  • Enrolled members of a New York State tribe or their children

  • Be a legal resident of NYS and have resided for 12 continuous months prior to enrolling for this program

  • Attending college in New York State 

Deadline & Application

Deadline

  • July 16 for the fall semester
  • January 4 for the spring semester
  • May 20 for the summer session

In addition to submitting the completed application, you must provide the following supporting documents: 

  • Proof of high school graduation; 
  • An official tribal certification form; 
  • A letter of acceptance from the college.

Applications and supporting documentation must be postmarked by deadline.  

Eligible students must apply to the NYS Education Department.

     NYS Education Department

     Indigenous Education Unit

     Room 1075 EBA

     89 Washington Avenue

     Albany, New York 12234

You must apply for each semester of aid.

Award

Amount

up to $2,000 per year ($1,000 per semester)

Amount Determined by:

  • Students registered for less than 12 credit hours per semester will be considered part-time and will be funded on a prorated basis.
  • Students enrolled in specific five-year degree programs will receive funding for the full duration of their programs. 

Funding is discretionary and can be used towards any direct or indirect cost of attendance.  If funding is available, eligible students may receive aid for summer course work.  Any aid a student receives for summer school study is deducted from the student's maximum entitlement for four years of full-time college study.

Frequency

Annual

Must apply every year.

Duration

Dependent on the length of program

Up to 4 years for students pursuing their bachelor’s degree full-time

5 years for approved five-year degree programs

Any award payment received may have tax implications. Please direct any questions regarding this should be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

Eligibility

To receive the Scholarship, you must meet the following residency requirements: 

  • You are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
  • You are a legal resident of New York State and have resided in New York State for 12 continuous months.

  • You are on an official tribal roll of a New York State tribe or be the child of an enrolled member of a New York State tribe.

High School, GED, or Ability to Benefit

  • Graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma (GED), or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test.

    College

  • Be enrolled full or part-time study.
  • Be matriculated in an approved program of study. 
  • Be in good academic standing.
  • Study at an approved post-secondary institution in New York State.
  • Must maintain a 2.0 GPA per semester.

There are no income limits for this Scholarship.

Financial Status

To receive the Scholarship, you must:

  • Be in good standing (a non-default status) on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award.
  • Be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by any NYS award that you have previously received.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, students with qualified disabilities who attend less than full-time must register with their college office for students with disabilities. 

Learn More

Help & Resources

Have Questions? 

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