IAIA 2024 Spring Undergraduate Scholarship Application

Jan 1, 2024

Scholarship Awards Luncheon

IAIA is dedicated to helping our students graduate debt-free. More than 200 of IAIA’s student body receives scholarships to fund their education. Scholarship funding helps college students meet their needs and helps IAIA pursue its mission “to empower creativity and leadership in Indigenous arts and cultures through higher education, lifelong learning, and community engagement.

Application for Incoming and Current Students

Completing the linked application makes incoming and current IAIA students eligible for several competitive scholarships. Selected students generally receive one IAIA or American Indian College Fund (AICF) scholarship. AICF scholarships are only available to those who fill out the additional AICF application. Students should fill out both IAIA and AICF scholarship applications for the best chance of receiving funding.

Appointment with Financial Aid

Scholarship Requirements

Scholarships typically require a 2.0 or higher cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Applicants must be accepted into an undergraduate certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree program at IAIA. Eligible students must be enrolled at least half-time (6+ credit hours). The scholarship application requires a short essay. Essay assistance is available at the Learning Lab by appointment.

Rubric	Contact the Financial Aid staff.
Essay Topic	How will completing your academic program impact local, state, national, global, or Indigenous communities? Download and view the Sample Scholarship Essay Outline.
Required	Essay must not exceed 300 words. Use the word count feature in your writing software.
Required	Do not put your name anywhere in the essay. Scholarship applications are anonymous.
Required	Essays must be submitted in .doc or .docx format.
Required	Essays must be submitted online by Monday, January 22, 2024, at 8 am (MST). Essays submitted to IAIA staff or faculty will not be accepted.
Required	Students may only submit one essay one time. Multiple submission attempts are not allowed.
Preferred	Essays should be in 12pt font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins.

Scholarship Award Process and Timeline

Date	Time	Process
Dec. 2023		Scholarship application opens for Spring 2024—start application
Daily	by appointment	Essay assistance with a tutor is available (www.iaia.edu/learninglab)
Daily	by appointment	For scholarship process and application questions, schedule an appointment with Financial Aid staff.
Tues., Jan. 16		First day of classes
Mon., Jan. 29	8 am	IAIA scholarship application due
Tues., Jan. 30	Midnight	AICF scholarship application due
Mon., Feb. 5	Midnight	2023–2024 FAFSA due
Fri. Feb. 16		Award recipients notified by email
Fri., Mar. 1		2024-2025 student application opens

Start Application

“I wasn’t planning on coming back next semester,” said Soledad Flores Gudino, class of 2025. “My family and I are dealing with a lot of money issues right now, and I didn’t think it was going to be possible to come back. This scholarship takes a lot of weight off my shoulders. I no longer have to worry about whether or not I’ll be able to continue at IAIA.”

Soledad Flores Gudino

IAIA Student

“Chasing this dream of mine would not have seemed possible without the contributions made, for a person like myself. From this opportunity I hope to someday meet those who have donated, to thank them for helping me attain a level of pride as a Native scholar and hope in a better future for my daughter. This scholarship gives me the momentum to push through the challenges that would otherwise keep me from attending college.”

Brennan Avans (Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma)

IAIA Student