Native American and Alaska Native students have access to a layered set of grants and scholarships — federal need-based aid, tribally administered programs through the Bureau of Indian Education, scholarships from large national foundations like the American Indian College Fund, and tribe-specific awards funded directly by federally recognized tribes from their own resources or gaming revenue.
Most programs require proof of tribal enrollment — either a tribal enrollment card, a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB), or both. The federally recognized tribe itself certifies enrollment; the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) issues the CDIB.
Federal grants every Native American student should apply for first
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,580 for 2026–27 for undergraduates with high financial need. Filed through the FAFSA. Open to U.S. citizens regardless of tribal status. See our Pell Grant guide.
FSEOG, TEACH, and federal loans
File the FAFSA once and you're considered for FSEOG, the TEACH Grant, federal work-study, and Direct Loans. These layer on top of any tribal or foundation award.
BIE Higher Education Grant Program
The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) administers higher-education grants for members of federally recognized tribes pursuing undergraduate degrees. Funds are passed through each tribe (or in some cases the BIE Education Line Office), so application is through your tribe's higher-education office, not directly with BIE. Award amounts vary by tribe based on enrollment and available funding. See bie.edu and contact your tribal education office.
Major national scholarship programs
American Indian College Fund (AICF)
The largest single source of scholarships for Native American students, AICF awards roughly 6,000 scholarships annually totaling over $15 million, both at the 34 accredited tribal colleges and universities and at mainstream schools. Programs include the Full Circle Scholarship (undergraduate at any accredited school) and TCU Scholarship (tribal colleges only). One application unlocks consideration for hundreds of named programs. Apply at collegefund.org.
American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC)
AIGC manages dozens of programs for graduate students from federally recognized tribes, including the AIGC Fellowship, AIGC Loan-for-Service, and Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship. Many are renewable. See aigcs.org.
Cobell Scholarship
Funded by the historic Cobell v. Salazar trust settlement, the Cobell Scholarship supports Native American and Alaska Native students enrolled in federally recognized tribes pursuing any post-secondary degree (vocational, undergraduate, graduate, or professional). Awards are typically a few thousand dollars per academic year and are renewable. Apply at cobellscholar.org.
Indian Health Service (IHS) Scholarship
For Native American and Alaska Native students preparing for health careers — nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, and other clinical fields. The IHS Scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and a monthly living stipend, in exchange for a service obligation at an IHS or tribal health facility after graduation (minimum two years, longer for more years of funded support). See ihs.gov/scholarship.
Native American Scholarship at Catching the Dream
A long-running program for undergraduates and graduate students pursuing high-demand majors such as math, engineering, business, finance, and computer science. Renewable; selection is competitive.
Tribally administered scholarships
Most federally recognized tribes operate their own scholarship programs funded by tribal resources, gaming revenue, or settlement funds. Award amounts and rules vary widely. Examples include:
- Cherokee Nation Higher Education — undergraduate, graduate, vocational, and short-term scholarships for enrolled Cherokee citizens.
- Navajo Nation Office of Diné Education — Chief Manuelito Scholarship and the Navajo Nation Scholarship for undergraduates and graduate students.
- Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarship — for enrolled Osage members at any accredited college.
If you are an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe, contact your tribe's education department first — many tribal scholarships have separate (and earlier) deadlines from federal aid.
Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)
There are 35 accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities in the United States, located on or near tribal lands and chartered by their tribes. TCUs combine accredited postsecondary education with cultural and language preservation. Federal support for TCUs flows through programs such as the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act and Title III of the Higher Education Act. Tuition at most TCUs is heavily subsidized, and students can stack Pell, FSEOG, AICF, and tribal-specific aid.
How to apply (recommended order)
- File the FAFSA as early as possible to lock in Pell, FSEOG, and federal loan eligibility.
- Contact your tribe's education office to apply for tribal scholarships and BIE higher-education funds.
- Apply to the American Indian College Fund — one application covers many awards.
- Apply to the Cobell Scholarship and (for grad students) the American Indian Graduate Center.
- If pursuing a health career, apply to the IHS Scholarship as soon as you're admitted to a qualifying program.
- Search your state and your school — many flagship state universities have Native American Student Services offices with additional awards.
Common questions
Do I need a CDIB to apply for these? Most federal and foundation programs accept either a tribal enrollment card or a CDIB. Some tribes use their own enrollment cards exclusively and do not issue CDIBs.
Are descendants of tribal members eligible if not enrolled? Most federally funded programs (BIE, IHS, Pell-stacked tribal aid) require enrollment in a federally recognized tribe. Some foundation scholarships consider documented lineal descent — read each program's rules carefully.
Are state-recognized tribes covered? Federal programs (BIE, IHS) generally require federal recognition. Some foundations and state programs include state-recognized tribes. Check each program.
Do I have to attend a tribal college? No. Most of these awards — including the AICF Full Circle, Cobell, and IHS Scholarship — can be used at any accredited college. Some, like the AICF TCU Scholarship, are TCU-only.
Are there scams targeting Native students? Yes. Any "grant kit" or "tribal benefits processing fee" service is a scam — federal and tribal aid are always free to apply for. Report scams to the FTC.
Layered well, federal aid, tribal funds, and foundation scholarships can cover most or all of a Native American student's cost of attendance. Start with the FAFSA and your tribal education office.