SWNAF Scholarship Application
To apply for scholarships to high school summer programs, vocational school, college, and/or graduate school, please use the application form below. Set aside about an hour to fill out the application—your work cannot be saved. We highly recommend preparing and gathering ALL of your application materials BEFORE you begin to fill out the application form. Incomplete and incorrectly submitted applications will not be considered.
If you have questions during the application process, please email brianswnaf@gmail.com. Our deadline is May 1 each year. If your application is submitted after May 1, you will be considered for a scholarship the following year.
What you will need:
A Note on Tribal Enrollment
You must provide documentation showing that you are an enrolled member of a U.S. Federally Recognized American Indian Tribe or a lineal descendant of a base roll* member. Your scholarship eligibility is determined by your status as an enrolled member of a U.S. Federally Recognized Tribes OR lineal descendant from a base roll member OR your relationship to a tribal member who descended from someone named on the base roll. Tribal enrollment criteria are set forth in tribal constitutions, articles of incorporation, or ordinances. These vary from tribe to tribe, so uniform membership requirements do not exist. If you need help finding more information about tribal enrollment process or how to contact your tribe, please contact SWNAF using our contact page.
* The base rolls are original lists of tribal members as designated in a tribal constitution or other document specifying enrollment criteria. Other conditions such as Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, tribal residency, or continued contact with the tribe are common.
If you have questions during the application process, please email brianswnaf@gmail.com. Our deadline is May 1 each year. If your application is submitted after May 1, you will be considered for a scholarship the following year.
What you will need:
- Proof of tribal enrollment: A photocopy of your tribal ID card, OR CDIB (Certificate Degree of Indian Blood), OR an official letter from your tribe stating the enrollment status of your parent(s) and/or grandparent(s), OR documentation showing that you are a lineal descendant of a base roll member.
- A copy of your high school transcript.
- Undergraduate and graduate school transcripts (if applicable).
- Application essay: SWNAF would like to know about you. What should we know about you that would help us determine your qualification for the SWNAF Scholarship? Please write a 2-5 page essay about your background, your personal journey, and your educational journey. Please include your future goals in education and your plans for life after earning your degree. Please use Times New Roman size 12 double spaced font. Submit your essay as a .docx file. If you do not have access to Microsoft Word, you can do this in Google Docs. We look forward to reading your thoughtful essay.
- Recommendation letter: Please include a letter of reference or recommendation from an educator who knows you well.
A Note on Tribal Enrollment
You must provide documentation showing that you are an enrolled member of a U.S. Federally Recognized American Indian Tribe or a lineal descendant of a base roll* member. Your scholarship eligibility is determined by your status as an enrolled member of a U.S. Federally Recognized Tribes OR lineal descendant from a base roll member OR your relationship to a tribal member who descended from someone named on the base roll. Tribal enrollment criteria are set forth in tribal constitutions, articles of incorporation, or ordinances. These vary from tribe to tribe, so uniform membership requirements do not exist. If you need help finding more information about tribal enrollment process or how to contact your tribe, please contact SWNAF using our contact page.
* The base rolls are original lists of tribal members as designated in a tribal constitution or other document specifying enrollment criteria. Other conditions such as Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, tribal residency, or continued contact with the tribe are common.
The Southwest Native American Foundation (SWNAF) is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Our unique team is comprised of volunteers who receive no salaries.