Native American Opportunities
Many resources are available to help Native American students reach their education goals. Start by reading through the categories listed below.
North Dakota Financial Aid Scholarships
NORTH DAKOTA STATE INDIAN SCHOLARSHIP (NDSIS)
The NDSIS may be used to pursue any full-time course of study offered in a regular academic year by an institution of higher learning or state educational program in North Dakota. To qualify, a student must be at least 1/4 degree Indian blood and a resident of North Dakota OR must be an enrolled member of a tribe and now a resident of North Dakota. The NDSIS program offers two types of awards: financial need-based grants and merit scholarships. The priority date for applying is July 15. Applications are available from the North Dakota University System office located at the Kirkwood Office Tower, Suite 603, 919 South 7th St., Bismarck, ND 58504. Applications are also available online.
NORTH DAKOTA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (NDEA) MINORITY AFFAIRS SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship assists minorities who want to enter the profession of teaching. Two $500 scholarships are awarded annually upon the recommendation of the NDEA Minority Affairs Commission – one from a University and one from a Tribal College. The applicant must be a minority undergraduate student in good standing; must be enrolled in a North Dakota institution of higher education; and must be enrolled in a teacher education program. An application may be obtained from the ND Education Association, Box 5005, Bismarck, ND 58502-5005. Deadline date is March 15.
Tribal or BIA Financial Aid Sources
EDUCATION LOAN/GRANT PROGRAM
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has a loan program available to its enrolled members. The loan must be secured through lease income collateral. The loan is to be used for current year needs. However, it may also be used to pay for unpaid education costs and to help students pay off defaulted federal student loans. Applications may be picked up from the Higher Education Office at the Standing Rock Tribal Administration Building in Fort Yates.
HIGHER EDUCATION GRANT
To qualify for a Higher Education grant, the student must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe with at least 1/4 degree of Native American descent. Applicants must be enrolled in academic course work. Applications must be completed each academic year; separate applications must be submitted for summer school enrollment. Each tribal agency may have different priority dates for applying for assistance. Applications may be picked up from the Tribal Education Director or the BIA Office located at the tribal agency.
WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA)
The WIA program is designed to assist underemployed persons to obtain vocational training. WIA programs may pay either for tuition, books and fees or an incentive allowance based on actual hours in the classroom. Students must take the GATB test and will be selected for the program based on the poverty guidelines. Students should contact the WIA or JOBS offices for applications. The WIA application must be updated every 45 days so students should contact WIA occasionally to see if they must update their eligibility application.
Internet and Other Resource Sites
