NYS Aid to Native Americans

Award Amount
Application deadline
Awarded By:

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation

Number of Awards & Eligibility: The number of awards offered varies based on the number of applicants. In the 2012-2013 academic year (the most recent for which data is available), there were 589 scholarships given.
In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:
  1. This award is for U.S. students.
  2. Must be 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. New York State tribes include members of the Iroquoian tribes (St. Regis Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca Nation, Tonawanda Band of Seneca, and Tuscorora), the Shinnecock tribe, and the Poospatuck tribe. An official tribal roll is a list of individuals designated by the tribal authorities as member of their tribe.
  3. Must be enrolled in an approved undergraduate program at an eligible postsecondary institution in New York.
  4. Must be a resident of New York.
  5. Must enroll full or part time.
  6. Must be a U.S. citizen.
  7. Must be a high school senior or current undergraduate student.

In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:

Description: This award is for New York students who are Native Americans residing on reservations throughout the State. Students must be attending or planning to attend a postsecondary institution in New York.

Application requirements for the NYS Aid to Native Americans are:

  • Application form
  • Official Transcript
  • Essay
  • Tribal certification
  • Letter of acceptance
Additional Information: The NYS Aid to Native Americans is a state program, administered through the Native American Education Unit, established to provide financial assistance for American Indian students from tribes located within the State of New York. Eligible American Indian students can receive grant awards for attending any approved, accredited postsecondary institution in New York State. Students must be enrolled in an approved program offered by a college, university, technical school, school of nursing, business, or trade school located in New York State. Approved programs include collegiate and non-collegiate program which are registered by the New York State Education Department. New York State Indian Aid will not be paid toward enrollment in the following types of courses: remedial, noncredit-bearing, or college preparation courses. Aid also will not be paid when students are repeating or auditing courses. There are no age restrictions on eligibility for New York State Indian Aid.

Award Amount: Up to $2,000 annually for up to four years of full-time study (five years for specific programs requiring five years to complete degree requirements). Students enrolled in institutions on the trimester or quarter system must be enrolled for at least 24 credit hours per years. Students registered for less than 12 credit hours per semester or 24 credit hours per year will be considered part-time and will be funded on a prorated basis. 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. Awards are not automatically renewable. The student must complete an aid request for each semester for which he/she wishes to receive aid.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $695.

Deadline Information:

Deadline for this scholarship is Thursday, May 20, 2021

Deadline Information:

Deadline for this scholarship is Thursday, May 20, 2021

Applications are available online from the New York State Education (NYSED) website. In addition to the completed application, the student must submit the following materials: official high school transcripts, or a copy of the student's high school equivalency diploma, or an official statement of enrollment in a special degree-granting program, or a college transcript if he/she has completed one or more semesters of college; an official tribal certification form (enrollment cards not accepted); a copy of the letter of acceptance from the college he/she will attend; and a typed description of his/her educational goals and plans. If the applicant is under 18 years of age, the signature of the parent is required approving the educational plans of the student and assuring full cooperation, guidance, and encouragement of the student in his/her educational career. Applications must be postmarked by July 16 for the fall semester, by Dec. 31 for the spring semester, and by May 20 for the summer session. Please note: The student must apply for each semester for which he/she wishes to receive funding; students who have already been awarded once should complete the "Request for New York State Indian Aid" form (rather than the application).
About New York State Higher Education Services Corporation:
Contact Information: Adrian Cooke, New York State Education Dept., Native American Education Unit
Address: Room 1075 EBA 89 Washington Ave. Albany, New York 12234

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