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American Indian College Fund

Short essay~2 hours

Best fit for

Any Native student at a 2-year or 4-year college. The low GPA floor (2.0 for many awards) means this is genuinely accessible — not just for top students. Also strong for students attending Tribal Colleges (TCUs) where AICF directly funds many awards.

What they actually look for

American Indian College Fund is the largest scholarship provider to Native students in the US. ONE general application opens you to 200+ named scholarships — they internally match you to all eligible ones. The average award is ~$2,000, but you can win multiple in the same year. This stacks well with other Native-specific awards (Cobell, Gates, Udall, AISES).

What you'll need

  • Enrolled member of a federally-recognized tribe (or descendant — check specific scholarship rules)
  • Minimum 2.0 GPA for most awards (some named scholarships require higher)
  • FAFSA filed
  • Enrollment in a Tribal College, University, or accredited US college
  • Short essays on goals, community involvement, and tribal connection
  • Tribal enrollment documentation (CDIB card or tribal letter)

When to start

Main application opens January, closes May. Re-apply every year — this is an annual award, not a four-year commitment. Some Tribal-College-specific scholarships have rolling deadlines.

Watch out for

Some applicants forget to upload tribal enrollment documentation — your app will be auto-disqualified without it. If you're a descendant rather than an enrolled member, check the specific scholarship rules carefully — most AICF programs require enrollment, but a few accept descendants with documentation.

KidToCollege is free to use and editorially independent. Data sourced from public records including IPEDS, Common Data Sets, College Board and FAFSA.gov. Always verify deadlines and requirements directly with institutions. Not a guarantee of admission or financial aid.