Minnesota Indian Scholarship
Offered by Minnesota Office of Higher Education
About this scholarship
The Minnesota Indian Scholarship provides need-based postsecondary aid to eligible Minnesota resident students with qualifying American Indian or Canadian First Nation ancestry or citizenship. Undergraduates may receive up to $4,000 per academic year, while graduate and professional students may receive up to $6,000. One eligible summer term may be included in an annual award. The program supports certificate, diploma, associate, bachelor's, graduate, and professional study at eligible accredited institutions in Minnesota; out-of-state schools do not qualify. Applicants must be at least three-quarter time as undergraduates or half time as graduate students, meet satisfactory academic progress, and apply for other available state and federal aid. An undergraduate must qualify for a Pell Grant or Minnesota State Grant and demonstrate need; graduate students must demonstrate financial need. The official state page links directly to the secure MNAid Student Portal and lists July 1 as the priority deadline. Applicants should also complete the FAFSA or Minnesota Alternative State Financial Aid Application, apply for tribal education funds, upload the requested ancestry documentation, and consult both the campus financial-aid office and their tribal education program.
Eligibility
- Have at least one-fourth American Indian ancestry or be an enrolled member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or Canadian First Nation
- Be a Minnesota resident student
- Attend an eligible accredited postsecondary institution in Minnesota in a certificate, diploma, or degree program
- Enroll at least three-quarter time as an undergraduate or at least half time as a graduate student
- Meet satisfactory academic progress and not be in default on a federal or state student loan, unless eligibility has been regained
- As an undergraduate, qualify for a Pell Grant or Minnesota State Grant and demonstrate financial need; as a graduate student, demonstrate financial need
- Apply for other available state and federal aid and for tribal education funds
- Complete the official MNAid application and provide the requested ancestry documentation