ScholarshipApplications open
Full Circle Scholarship
American Indian College Fund
The American Indian College Fund's main scholarship for Native students at tribal colleges and other accredited nonprofit institutions. One application each year puts you in the pool for many merit and need-based awards.
Who should apply
Native students starting or continuing college, including those at tribal colleges and community colleges. The 2.0 GPA floor makes this reachable for students who are strong but not straight-A.
Eligibility
- Enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, or a descendant of an enrolled member
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time at an accredited nonprofit college or university, including tribal colleges and universities
- Certificate, undergraduate, or graduate programs qualify
- High school seniors apply during the last semester of senior year for the coming academic year
What you get
- A scholarship averaging $2,000 to $3,000, with amounts varying by award
- Consideration for all matching American Indian College Fund scholarships from one application
- Access to student support programming from the College Fund
What the application involves
- Online application through the American Indian College Fund Scholarship Application Portal
- Unofficial transcript of your most recent academic record
- Tribal ID or Certificate of Indian Blood if you are an enrolled member
- If you are a descendant: your parent's or grandparent's tribal ID plus birth certificates showing the line of descent
- Digital headshot photograph
Application tips
- Gather the tribal enrollment documents first. Tracking down a grandparent's tribal ID and the birth certificates that connect you takes weeks, not days.
- Apply by the May 31 priority deadline. The application stays open later, but priority applicants have a better chance and hear back by early August.
- You only submit one application per year and it is considered for every award you match. Fill in every optional field so the system can match you to more funds.
- Reapply every single year. This is not automatically renewed.
- If you get stuck, the scholarships team offers one-on-one help by phone and email. Use it.
Good to know
The application opens February 1 each year. Students who apply by the May 31 priority deadline receive a notification email by early August. Applications submitted after May 31 are still accepted through January 25 for spring enrollment.
ScholarshipUnderrepresentedNative AmericanOne ApplicationTribal CollegesRenewable Annually
