Minnesota Indian Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program — Overview
The Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program offers need-based awards to Minnesota resident students. Eligible undergraduate recipients may receive up to $4,000 per academic year; eligible graduate students may receive up to $6,000 per academic year. A fact sheet describing the scholarship is available online.
Who is eligible
Scholarships are open to applicants who meet all of the following:
- Have at least one-quarter American Indian ancestry, or are an enrolled member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or a Canadian First Nation.
- Are residents of Minnesota.
- Have applied for other applicable state and federal scholarships and grants.
- Are enrolled in an eligible, accredited postsecondary institution in Minnesota and are pursuing a certificate, diploma, or degree. Enrollment must be at least 3/4 time for undergraduates or at least 1/2 time for graduate students.
- Are meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the institution.
- Are not in default on a federal or state student loan; if previously in default, they must have restored eligibility for federal or state student aid.
- Demonstrate financial need: undergraduates must qualify for either a Pell Grant or a State Grant and show financial need; graduate students must demonstrate financial need.
Award amounts and limits
- Maximum annual award: up to $4,000 for undergraduates and up to $6,000 for graduate students.
- For students in two-year certificate, diploma, or associate-degree programs: eligibility is limited to 3 annual awards (equivalent to 6 semesters or 8 quarters).
- For students in four-year degree programs: eligibility is limited to 5 annual awards (equivalent to 10 semesters or 14 quarters). This limit includes any awards received while enrolled in programs shorter than four years.
- For students in graduate or professional degree programs: eligibility is limited to 5 annual awards (equivalent to 10 semesters or 14 quarters).
- An award year may cover one eligible summer term; any summer term award counts toward the annual-equivalent limits above.
- Lifetime maximum: a student may receive up to 10 annual awards in total (a maximum of 5 awards at the undergraduate level plus 5 awards at the graduate level).
- A student may receive the scholarship for only one degree at each educational level and for one terminal graduate degree.