Tribal Scholarships

Eligibility:

• Be classified as a full-time college or university undergraduate at Northeastern State University
• Have proof of Cherokee tribal citizenship
• Incoming freshmen must have a GPA of 3.0, or ACT score of 21, or upper 10% of class
• Transfer or continuing college students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0

All applications must be submitted online. The application for the 2026-2027 academic year is not available at this time.

Award Amount: The award amount ranges from $500 - $1400 per academic year.

Deadline: To be announced.

Contact:
Center for Tribal Studies
Northeastern State University
600 North Grand Avenue
Tahlequah, OK
tribalstudies@nsuok.edu

NEW APPLICANTS:

• UPLOAD a one-page typed personal statement.
  • The following are suggestions for your personal statement:
    
    • How has your Cherokee culture impacted your upbringing or educational pursuits?
    • What skills and qualities do you see that you possess and how will these help you in college?
    • Explain your career aspirations and your educational plan to meet these goals.
    • Describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you used to achieve it.

• UPLOAD a copy of your Cherokee Nation Blue Card or verification of your tribal citizenship with Cherokee Nation
• UPLOAD an official current transcript
• UPLOAD Two letters of recommendation
• Completed application form

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS (must have been awarded the scholarship in Spring 2025):

• UPLOAD one-page typed personal statement
• UPLOAD a copy of your Cherokee Nation Blue Card (photocopy of both front and back) and/or verification of your tribal citizenship with Cherokee Nation
• UPLOAD an official current transcript
• Completed application form

• Undergraduate/Graduate scholarships
• For internships, students must contact a department of Cherokee Nation they are interested serving with to see if internships are available.

 

• List of scholarships
• Scholarships from the Chahta Foundation
• College Clothing Program
• Choctaw Nation Scholarship
• Technology Allowance Program: The Choctaw Nation offers a one-time technology allowance to Choctaw tribal members throughout the United States who are currently attending an accredited college or university. If you received a laptop under the College Computer Distribution Program, you have already received these funds and do not qualify for this program. Students must be a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; however, there are no blood quantum requirements. The Technology Application is closed for the 2017 award year. The application will reopen on January 2018.

• List of scholarships

• Chickasaw Nation Higher Ed Scholarships

• BIA Scholarship Grant
• Charlotte Harjo Scholarship: The Charlotte Harjo scholarship may be awarded to undergraduate students enrolled in at least 12 credit hours while maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher or at least 15 credit hours while maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or higher for each semester in college. The award is based on enrollment and classification. The following documentation is required:
  1. Scholarship Application
  2. Seminole Nation of Oklahoma membership card
  3. Typewritten essay (500-600 word - Size 12 font Name typed and signed in top right corner of first page) describing your past accomplishments, future goals, tribal involvement, community involvement, etc.
  4. Official sealed college transcript.