DEADLINE: June 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM MST

APPLY HERE https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/104417-Native-Forward-Scholars-Fund

This is the application for all Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities for the 2026-2027 academic year. By submitting this application, you will be considered for all academic year scholarships that you are eligible for.

Throughout our 50-year history, Native Forward Scholars Fund has empowered over 22,000 students from over 500 Tribes in all 50 states by providing scholarship dollars and support services for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.

REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for Native Forward Scholars Fund 2026-2027 Scholarships, all applicants must:

• • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must be eligible to receive federal financial aid.
    • Students who are not eligible to receive federal financial aid due to academic suspension, expulsion, failure to meet the institution’s satisfactory academic progress standards, or educational loan default may not be eligible to receive Native Forward funding.
  • Be a degree-seeking student attending a U.S. accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or the Council for Higher Education.
    • Most Native Forward opportunities require full-time enrollment.
    • Applicants are not eligible for funding if they are seeking a degree that is the same or lower than their highest degree earned.
  • Provide a copy of their most recent cumulative academic transcript.
    • GPA requirements vary; however, meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is required.
  • Provide a digital photo. This photo will not be used in the selection process.
  • Be an enrolled member or descendant of a U.S. federally recognized or state-recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native group.
    • Be able to demonstrate Tribal affiliation by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate (TEC) or providing proof of Tribal enrollment via a copy of their Certificate Degree of Indian Blood, Tribal membership/citizenship card, or a letter of enrollment/descendancy from their Tribal enrollment office.
  • Request a Financial Need Form (FNF) from the institution.
    • Provide the name and contact information for your assigned Financial Aid Officer (FAO) who is certified to complete a financial needs analysis on your behalf.
  • The TEC and FNF forms are sent to the email address provided for each.
    • Double-check the email addresses input for spelling errors.
    • Follow-up to ensure the email request was received from the application system. Email requests may be routed to their spam/junk email folder.
  • Some Native Forward opportunities are merit-based, while others are need-based.
  • Provide contact information for two references.
    • Ensure the correct email address is entered for the person selected for each reference (double-check spelling).
    • Follow-up to ensure the email request was received from the application system. Email requests may be routed to their spam/junk email folder.
    • By submitting each reference contact request, understand that references must complete and submit their online questionnaires by the deadline.
  • Respond to the four applicant questions

*It is the applicant’s responsibility to monitor their application status to ensure ALL forms are submitted by the deadline.

For further questions, please reach out to our Scholarship Operations team at scholarships@nativeforward.org.