The Native Forward Scholars Fund (formerly known as the American Indian Graduate Center Graduate Fellowship Program) provides fellowships to over 375 Native American and Alaska Native graduate students each year. Graduate fellowships are monetary awards made to American Indian and Alaska Native graduate or professional degree-seeking students who meet all eligibility criteria. The fellowship amount is typically varies, depending on the number of qualified applicants, the availability of funds, and unmet financial need among recipients.
To be considered, applicants must be pursuing a post-baccalaureate graduate or professional degree as a full time student at an accredited institution in the U.S.; be able to demonstrate financial need; and be an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native group, or provide documentation of descent (possess one-fourth degree verifiable federally recognized Indian blood).
The Native Forward Scholars Fund is the largest scholarship provider to Native students in the U.S. and throughout their 50-year history has empowered 20,000+ students from over 500 Tribes in all 50 states by providing scholarship funding and support services, including (but not limited to):
- Holistic support services and resources to help Native students access and navigate the higher education of their choice.
- A strong network of engaged alumni that fosters community and mentorship beyond our organization.
- Advocacy of greater representation and visibility of Native communities.
- Trusted stewardship of donor support and scholarship funding to make meaningful differences.
Without exception, AIGC will not extend deadlines and strongly encourages candidates to not wait until the deadline date to begin an application, as applicants may need to locate supporting information that takes time to collect and submit.