Scholarships
As Minnesota high school students think about applying to college, application fees should not be a barrier. Some Minnesota colleges do not charge application fees or they don’t charge fees at a certain time. And for students from lower-income families, all colleges offer a fee waiver.
For Students from Low-Income Families
Every day of the year, students from families with modest incomes can apply at no charge using a NACAC fee waiver at the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the nonprofit colleges that are members of the Minnesota Private College Council. High school counselors and college admission staff can help a student make these arrangements. Eligibility information and the fee waiver form is available at http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/feewaiver.
For Native Students
Information is available on two schools throughout the country that are Native American specific schools. The schools do have other admission requirements that will need to be met. These colleges are not completely free but they are more affordable to attend than another College due to BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) Funding.
http://www.haskell.edu/about/vision/ - Haskell Indian Nations University, Lawrence, Kansas - Tribal Verification required, must either be enrolled or a direct descendent with 1/4 Native American verification.
http://www.sipi.edu/ - Southwestern Polytechnic Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico- Tribal Verification required, must be enrolled or 1/4 or more blood quantum of a federally recognized tribe.
These three schools have programs for free tuition (meaning that although the tuition is free, students/families are still responsible for room and board, student fees, and all other charges to their student accounts).
http://www4.morris.umn.edu/about - University of Minnesota Morris, Morris, Minnesota - must be enrolled or a direct descendent with a parent or grandparent enrolled in a federally recognized tribe, or a direct descendent of a tribally verified member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe, Alaskan Native Village, or Canadian First Nation, other than a parent or grandparent.
https://www.fortlewis.edu/Home/About/AboutFortLewisCollege.aspx - Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado - Must be enrolled, provide documentation of 50% Native American blood, or prove you are a direct descendent of a tribal member who on June 1, 1934, resided within the present boundaries of any Native American Reservation.
http://www.uttc.edu/ - United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck, North Dakota - Must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe, deadline for Summer 2017 is March 30, 2017 - Pilot Program for 2016-2017 School Year - will update when it is known if this will continue, there are federal funds to attend this school. Meet with the Financial Aid Advisor to see if you may qualify.
If you are interested in any of these colleges and need assistance navigating the website or printing application materials off, please see the school guidance counselor or the Indian Education staff and we will be happy to assist you!
For All Students
There are many opportunities for students to apply at no charge at some institutions.
Some colleges never require an application fee; sometimes this offer is limited to applications submitted online.
Some colleges waive the application fee for the month of October.
Some colleges waive the application fee for one week in late October.
Refer to the list for the ways students can apply without a fee to earn a bachelor’s or associate degree at Minnesota’s post secondary institutions
Free Application Opportunities At Minnesota Colleges and Universities
White Earth Scholarship Information
http://www.whiteearth.com/programs/index.html@page_id=289&program_id=5.html
Native American Scholarship Database for high school students entering college
Native American Scholarship Database
University of Minnesota Morris Indian Tuition Waiver
http://www.morris.umn.edu/financialaid/scholarshipswaivers/americanindiantuition/
College Scholarship Guide
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/college-scholarship-guide/