Scholarships
The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native college students who are enrolled in certificate, undergraduate, or graduate programs at tribal colleges and universities, or nonprofit, accredited schools.
Scholarship Timelines
The College Fund offers scholarships through two different portfolios. TCU-enrolled students are automatically considered for opportunities from both when they complete our scholarship application.
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Full Circle Scholarship Timeline
The selection of recipients, as well as the disbursement of funds, are managed by the American Indian College Fund.
Scholarship Application Opens
🗓️ February 1
Our application is available every year starting on February 1st in anticipation of the upcoming fall term.
Priority Review Deadline
🗓️ May 31
We welcome applications after the May 31st priority review deadline; however, we strongly encourage students to apply by this date for a higher chance of being awarded.
Scholarship Award Announcements
🗓️ July 31
Students that apply after July 31st receive an award notification on a rolling basis.
Fall Disbursement Begins
🗓️ Late August
- Before disbursement, recipients are contacted to submit verification of enrollment.
- Upon disbursement, scholarship funds are sent to the Financial Aid Office of recipients’ institutions.
Scholarship Application Closes
🗓️ January 25
Newly enrolled spring students should submit their application by January 25th to be considered for scholarship opportunities for the spring term.
Spring Disbursement Begins
🗓️ Late January
- Before disbursement, recipients are contacted to submit verification of enrollment.
- Upon disbursement, scholarship funds are sent to the Financial Aid Office of recipients’ institutions.
TCU Scholarships Timeline
Scholarship Application Opens
🗓️ February 1
Our application is available every year starting on February 1st in anticipation of the upcoming fall term.
Scholarship Award Announcements
🗓️ September – October
Applicants that are attending a TCU will receive an award notification from their Financial Aid Office.
Fall Disbursement Begins
🗓️ September – October
Applicants that receive a TCU scholarship will receive disbursement information from their Financial Aid Office.
Scholarship Application Closes
🗓️ January 25
Newly enrolled spring students should submit their application by January 25th to be considered for scholarship opportunities for the spring term.
Spring Disbursement Begins
🗓️ Late January
Applicants that receive a TCU scholarship will receive disbursement information from their Financial Aid Office.
Application Experience
Before you begin your scholarship application, we encourage you to watch this short video to understand the navigation of the portal.
Student at a Tribal College/University
The American Indian College Fund has a close relationship with the 34 accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU). Students attending TCUs are eligible for all the different merit-based scholarship programs we offer. Our application is available every year starting on February 1st in anticipation of the upcoming fall term. We encourage TCU students to complete their application by May 31st to receive priority review.
Student at a non-Tribal College/University
The American Indian College Fund offers merit-based scholarship opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native students attending accredited nonprofit colleges or universities in the U.S. Our application is available every year starting on February 1st in anticipation of the upcoming fall term. We encourage students attending these institutions to complete their application by May 31st to receive priority review.
Eligibility Requirements
High School Students
The American Indian College Fund (the College Fund) provides scholarships to graduating American Indian and Alaska Native high school students that plan to pursue certificate or undergraduate programs at a Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) or an accredited non-profit college or university in the U.S.
Opportunities Available
Applicants only need to submit one application every year to be considered for the College Fund’s portfolio of scholarships. Award amounts vary but average between $2,000 to $3,000.
Basic Eligibility
- Be an enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, or a descendent of an enrolled member;
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00; and
- Be a high school senior in their last semester.
- Full-time enrollment at an accredited, nonprofit institution of higher learning.
Documentation Needed to Apply
Before you begin your scholarship application, we encourage you to gather the following:
- Digital photo – a headshot or photograph of yourself,
- Academic records – an unofficial copy of your most recent transcript,
- Tribal affiliation – if you are an enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, you will need to provide a copy of your tribal
- ID (or CIB). If you are a descendant, you will need to provide a copy of your parent’s (or grandparent’s) tribal ID and birth certificate(s) showing your relationship to the enrolled member.
Visit our Application FAQ to learn more about the required documentation.
Student at a Tribal College/University
The American Indian College Fund (the College Fund) provides scholarships to graduating American Indian and Alaska Native college students enrolled in certificate, undergraduate, or graduate programs at a Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) or an accredited non-profit college or university in the U.S.
Opportunities Available
The College Fund manages a wide portfolio of scholarship programs, and TCU students are eligible for all of our opportunities. Applicants only need to submit one application every year to be considered for the College Fund’s portfolio of scholarships. Award amounts vary but average between $2,000 to $3,000.
Basic Eligibility
- Enrollment at a Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU).
- Be an enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe or a descendent of an enrolled member.
Documentation Needed to Apply
Before you begin your scholarship application, we encourage you to gather the following:
- Digital photo – a headshot or photograph of yourself.
- Academic records – an unofficial copy of your most recent transcript.
- Tribal affiliation – if you are an enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, you will need to provide a copy of your tribal ID (or CIB). If you are a descendant, you will need to provide a copy of your parent’s (or grandparent’s) tribal ID and birth certificate(s) showing your relationship to the enrolled member.
Visit our Application FAQ to learn more about the required documentation.
Student at a non-Tribal College/University
The American Indian College Fund (the College Fund) provides scholarships to graduating American Indian and Alaska Native college students enrolled in certificate, undergraduate, or graduate programs at accredited public or private, non-profit college or university in the U.S.
Opportunities Available
Applicants only need to submit one application every year to be considered for the College Fund’s portfolio of scholarships. Award amounts vary but average between $2,000 to $3,000.
Basic Eligibility
- Be an enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, or a descendent of an enrolled member.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
- Full-time enrollment at an accredited, nonprofit institution of higher learning.
Documentation Needed to Apply
Before you begin your scholarship application, we encourage you to gather the following:
- Digital photo – a headshot or photograph of yourself.
- Academic records – an unofficial copy of your most recent transcript.
- Tribal affiliation – if you are an enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, you will need to provide a copy of your tribal ID (or CIB). If you are a descendant, you will need to provide a copy of your parent’s (or grandparent’s) tribal ID and birth certificate(s) showing your relationship to the enrolled member.
Visit our Application FAQ to learn more about the required documentation.
Need Help?
For more details about the application and tips for success, please review resources on the Application Tips Page or the Application FAQs Page.
Please contact a member of our Scholarships Team at scholarships@collegefund.org, or at 800-987-3863 if you have questions or need one-on-one assistance.
Additional Scholarships
There are thousands of scholarship opportunities in addition to the Full Circle and Tribal College & University (TCU) scholarship programs we offer. We advise all students to apply to as many as they are eligible for. Discover more scholarship opportunities available outside of the American Indian College Fund.