Scholarships
Countdown - 15 days until the deadline.
Welcome to the AAIA Scholarship page.
1. Watch the video below to navigate the scholarship process (6 minutes)
(and optional videos - links just below the video)
2. Read the General Information (Big Red Button Below)
3. Read the Frequently Asked Questions (Another Big Red Button Below)
4. Read the Required Documents (Yet Another Big Red Button)
5. See the Acceptance Period (Another Big Red Button Below - Acceptance Period means the time between the the date that we start accepting applications and the deadline)
6. Mail to address at bottom of page - Please do not staple documentsNote: The application page is to be filled out for what you will be next fall, not currently - for example - if you are currently a Junior, in theory, you will be a Senior in the fall.
If you are a Senior in High School, do not put Graduate, you will be a Freshman in the fall.
Grad students: Law, Doctor, PhD, etc. all fall under the graduate category. Do not check Grad Student and Freshman. Put Grad Student and 0 credit hours earned.
Unfortunately, Canadian First Nations people and Hawaiian students are not eligible for AAIA scholarships. See the Other Scholarships button at the bottom of this page for links to information.
$5,000 Scholarship from Education Aid for single father - see Announcements below
More Scholarship Tutorial Videos
As stated in the above video, we have created a series of tutorial videos to help 1st Generation Scholarship Students and Parents through the scholarship application and going to school etc., etc. process. These are a good reminder for upperclassmen who may have forgotten about some of this stuff too.
General Information video tutorials:
Tutorial #1 - 15 minutes, Tutorial #2 - 11 minutes, Tutorial #3 - 16 minutes
2012 Tax Season Only
If you have not completed your taxes for 2012, see the Announcement section below. The American Opportunity Credit ($2,500) will potentially be eliminated after 2012.
AAIA's Scholarship Program
AAIA has a long history of providing scholarships to college students, awarding our first scholarship in 1948. The program is one of many AAIA initiatives. Over the years our scholarship program has grown to the current seven scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students from federally recognized and non-recognized tribes.
AAIA currently does not receive corporate or foundation funding for its scholarship program. Our scholarships are funded entirely by individual donor contributions -- something that our donors should be proud of! We are grateful to the many, many individuals who have contributed toward the education of Native students and have made our scholarship program possible. The number of students awarded per year varies due to funding availability, but generally we award approximately 10%-12% of the students who apply.
AAIA scholarships are very competitive. For the 2012-2013 school year we received 655 applications. Unfortunately funding only allowed for the award of 32 students. We anticipate funding levels to return to normal levels for the 2013-2014 school year. Students are asked to submit one complete application package only. You will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.
Please read all the information under the General Information and Frequently Asked Questions sections prior to applying to make sure you qualify. If you have questions after reading the information, feel free to contact us at the phone or e-mail listed at the bottom of the page. Please note, we are in the Eastern Time Zone.
Meet the People Behind AAIA's Scholarships
As mentioned above, AAIA's scholarship program is made possible through the generosity of many, many people. Not only have many individuals made contributions to the organization, but several individuals have named AAIA as a beneficiary in their will, enabling Native students to have the chance to reach their educational goals. We feel fortunate and are grateful that these people cared so deeply about the education of Native students and had the ability to help in such a significant way.
Please click on the scholarship names below to read about the people who have made our scholarships possible.
| Adolph Van Pelt Scholarship |
Allogan Slagle Memorial Scholarship |
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Sequoyah Graduate Scholarship |
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Federal Financial Aid Information
What is the FAFAS and Why Fill It Out
www.finaid.org/fafsa
5 Minute FAFSA Video
www.finaid.org/fafsa/video/phtml
Free Applicaton for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Student Loan Forgiveness & A Glossary of Terms Regarding Student Loan Repayment
Some students may be eligible for loan forgiveness if they work in public service jobs...read more...
See A Glossary of Terms Regarding Student Loan Repayment in the right side bar...
www.studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/charts/public-service#what-is-the-public
Announcements
Education Aid's Support a Student Scholarship Program for Single Fathers
This is a $5,000 Scholarship Program that will be awarded to to a single father that is enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution or job training program. This Scholarship Program was created by Education Aid to help economically disadvantaged students who are at risk of dropping out of school due to a lack of financial support. The funding for this Scholarship Program came from a donation made by CUnet (a Nelnet Company). The Scholarship Program funds will be distributed during the 2013-2014 academic school year. Students Can Learn More and Apply Online at: www.educationaid.org/sfscholarship
Contact: Karyn Balfour, Chief Executive Officer at kbalfour@educationaid.org
Congratulations to Josh Zunie, former AAIA Florence Young Memorial Scholarship recipient! Josh one of the select few to recently be accepted into the Americans for Indian Opportunity leadership program. Josh is currently in Acquisitions and Programming for FNX Network (First Nations Experience) after working on the Law and Order series and In Plain Sight. We wish you well Josh, as you progress through the program.
Federal Work Study Opportunity
If you are attending school in the Washington, DC area and have Federal Work Study as part of your financial aid package, AAIA has FWS Office Assistant positions available for Summer 2013 and the 2013-2014 school year. We are required to have a contract with the school which you attend, please let us know if you are interested in applying so we can ensure that this relationship is established. Contact Lisa Wyzlic at the contact below.
American Opportunity Credit
This tax credit is only available for the 2012 school year and unless extended, will be discontinued.
This credit is for up to $2,500. Form 8863 must be attached to your 1040 or 1040A.
Google American Opportunity Credit (for non-IRS talk)
See www.http://irs.gov/uac/American-Opportunity-Tax-Credit
US Department of Agriculture Opportunities for Students and Recent Grads
If you are a student or a recent graduate in Biology, Environmental Management, Agriculture, and similar fields, internship and other opportunities
may be available to you through the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
www.outreach.usda.gov/education/1994tlgcu/
If you were a 2011-2012 AAIA scholarship recipient and graduated, please let us know!
We are often asked if we ever hear from our previous scholarship recipients. If you were a previous AAIA scholarship recipient, please send us an update about what you are currently doing. We would love to hear from you and be able to let others know how our students are making a difference in Indian Country and the world!
Contact Us
Please review the scholarship information provided. If you still have questions after reviewing the information, contact our Rockville office at 240-314-7155 or lw.aaia@indian-affairs.org. We are in the Eastern Time Zone, therefore it may be easier to e-mail.
Mail Applications To:
Lisa Wyzlic, Director of Scholarship Programs
Association on American Indian Affairs
966 Hungerford Drive, Suite 12-B
Rockville, MD 20850
Note: All applications must be received in our Rockville office BY 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the due date. See the Acceptance Period Button Above. Please do not staple documents.
