Nursing Scholarships For Indigenous American Students

Native American communities still face barriers that limit access to education and the careers that follow, and college-educated Native nurses who can serve those communities remain in short supply. The scholarships below, national, local, and tribal, help close that gap. Where an award requires tribal membership, a heritage threshold, or a GPA minimum, that is noted.

Undergraduate Nursing Scholarships

This list is not exhaustive, but it covers solid options for high school and undergraduate students.

American Indian Education Fund Scholarship. Full-time undergraduate American Indian and Alaska Native students. Requires transcripts, ACT scores, and proof of tribal membership. Amount: $2,000.

Native American Nursing Scholarship. Undergraduate nursing students with at least one-fourth Native American heritage, a high school diploma or equivalent, and a recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or school official. Renewable each semester. Amount: $1,500 per semester.

Augustana University Diversity Scholarship. Full-time students of color at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Renewable annually based on need and academic standing. Amount: $1,000.

Cherokee Nation Higher Education Scholarship. Members of the Cherokee Nation working toward a first associate of arts or science, an associate of applied science in nursing, or a bachelor's degree. Amount: varies.

The Gates Scholarship. Highly selective award for minority high school seniors from low-income households enrolling full-time at accredited four-year schools. Covers costs not met by other aid or family contribution. Amount: varies.

Hackett Family Scholarship. Sponsored by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation for seniors or graduates of Grand Rapids, Michigan high schools. Women of color get preference. Amount: varies.

Menominee Tribal Scholarship. Members of the Menominee community enrolled full-time with 12 or more credits per semester. Based on financial need and academic merit. Amount: $2,400.

Page Education Foundation Grant. Students of color, including Native Americans, facing financial and academic barriers. Open to Minnesota high school graduates attending Minnesota postsecondary schools. Amount: $1,500 to $2,500.

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Higher Education Program. Tribal members at public colleges or universities in Michigan. Covers unmet need as determined by the school. Amount: varies.

Washington American Indian Endowed Scholarship. Upper-division undergraduates at accredited schools in Washington who are state residents with close social and cultural ties to the Washington American Indian community. Amount: $500 to $2,000.

Graduate Nursing Scholarships

Graduate training opens the door to higher-demand roles but carries a heavier cost. These awards help.

Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship. Sponsored by the American College of Healthcare Executives for racially and ethnically diverse students in graduate healthcare management programs who demonstrate financial need. Amount: $5,000.

Bureau of Indian Education Higher Education Grant. Members of federally recognized tribes in full-time master's or doctoral programs. Amount: $1,000 to $5,000.

Catching the Dream Scholarship. Awarded three times a year to students seeking bachelor's or graduate degrees with at least one-fourth Native American ancestry and membership in a federally recognized tribe. Amount: $5,000.

Chickasaw Nation Higher Education Grant. Chickasaw Nation citizens in undergraduate, master's, or doctoral study who maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester. Amount: varies.

Cobell Scholarship. Competitive need-based award for enrolled members of federally recognized tribes in full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional programs at accredited public or private schools. Amount: varies.

American Indian Graduate Center Exam Award. Helps American Indian and Alaska Native students cover graduate entrance exam fees for the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT. Requires undergraduate transcripts and the intended test. Amount: $200 to $320, depending on the exam fee.

IHS Health Professions Scholarship. Indian Health Service award for American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students in eligible health professions programs. Requires a clinical service commitment after graduation. Amount: varies.

Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program. Minnesota residents with at least one-fourth Indian ancestry, for up to five years of graduate study, with at least half-time enrollment at a Minnesota school. Amount: $6,000.

Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarship. Enrolled members of the Osage Nation in undergraduate through doctoral study who maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester. Amount: varies.

American Indian Graduate Center Nursing Fellowship. For American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students pursuing nursing, with one-fourth Indian heritage from a federally recognized tribe. Amount: varies.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start applying for scholarships?

High school students should start the summer before senior year. Graduate applicants should look at least a year before their intended start date. Check each scholarship's website for current deadlines and eligibility.

How much Native American heritage do you need?

It depends on the program. The Bureau of Indian Affairs generally requires at least one-fourth American Indian ancestry, and many awards restrict eligibility to members of federally recognized tribes.

How do I prove my Native American heritage for college?

Enrolled membership in one of the 575 federally recognized tribes (Bureau of Indian Affairs, updated December 2025) strengthens your case. Members receive a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which serves as proof for scholarship applications.

Can my student loans be forgiven if I am Native American?

You may qualify for several forgiveness options. The Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program reduces loan payments for healthcare professionals who commit two years of service in Native American or Alaska Native communities. Native Americans who served in the U.S. Army may qualify for its loan repayment programs.