I'm a HS senior looking to go to Colorado State for communications and I want to know if there are any scholarships available for Native Americans (for any school)
Yes, and the money usually sits in three separate buckets, so check them in this order instead of only applying to the big national lists.
First, your own tribe or tribal education office. Many tribes run higher education grants for enrolled members, and those are the ones students miss because they are not on national search sites. Ask that office what documentation they need, whether the grant renews each year, and what their deadline is, because tribal deadlines often land before college decision day. Do this even if you are not sure Colorado State is final, since the grant usually follows you to an accredited school.
Second, Colorado State itself. Email the financial aid office and ask two specific questions: is there a separate application or documentation step for Native American students, and does the communications department have its own scholarships once you declare the major? Department money often opens up in your second year, not as a freshman, so ask when to reapply. Also ask the campus Native American student support office what other students in your situation usually combine, since they see the actual aid packages, not just the catalog list.
Third, the national funds already listed here, like the American Indian College Fund and Native Forward Scholars Fund. Treat those as competitive, not as a plan, and apply to more than one. The Cobell Scholarship, for example, has its own eligibility rules, so read those before you spend time on the essay.
One practical step that ties it together: file the FAFSA as early as you can, then send the same short email to both the tribal office and Colorado State financial aid asking what else they need from you. That paper trail is what keeps a grant from stalling in the spring.
Native Forward Scholars Fund: A major national resource providing financial support and scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.
American Indian College Fund: Offers merit-based scholarships for students attending accredited nonprofit colleges or universities, with a priority deadline of May 31st.
Cobell Scholarship: Provides up to $10,000 for undergraduate students and up to $12,500 for graduate students who are members of federally recognized tribes.
Indian Health ServiceScholarship: Provides full tuition, fees, books, and a living stipend for students majoring in health professions, engineering, and accounting.
not sure if this applies to all schools, but it should help you look for one
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