Scholarships & Awards

The Dakota and Ojibwe Language Programs offer a financial aid program for University of Minnesota degree-seeking undergraduates and non-degree seeking Continuing Education students who demonstrate strong dedication to learning to speak and teach the Dakota or Ojibwe language. Preference is given to students of Dakota or Ojibwe heritage, who demonstrate financial need, and are parents of children in a Dakota or Ojibwe language immersion program.

Dakota Language Scholarships

Waḣpeṭuƞwiƞ Daḳota Iapi, Academic Year 2023-2024

The Waḣpeṭuƞwiƞ Daḳota Iapi Scholarship is a financial aid program for University of Minnesota degree-seeking undergraduates who demonstrate strong dedication learning how to speak and teach the Dakota language. To be eligible, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be admitted or pending admission to an undergraduate degree program in American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus.

Selection is based on evidence of: Your academic promise, your commitment to learning how to speak and teach the Dakota language, or how you use your education to the benefit of the community. You receive preference if you are of Dakota or Lakota heritage, if you demonstrate financial need, or if you are a parent of a child in a Dakota language immersion program. Scholarship awards cover up to $10,000 of your tuition and fees for one year. If awarded, you must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to keep your scholarship.

Need more information?
Email at aminstud@umn.edu

Continuing Education Daḳota Iapi Scholarship

The Continuing Education Daḳota Iapi Scholarship is a financial aid program for continuing education (non-degree seeking) students at the University of Minnesota who demonstrate dedication to learning and teaching the Dakota language. Selection is based on evidence of your commitment to learning the Dakota language and to using your education to the benefit of the community. Preference is given if you are a student of Dakota or Lakota heritage or a parent of a child in a Dakota language immersion program. Scholarships cover your tuition for one Dakota language (DAKO) course per semester for up to two semesters. If you receive this award, you must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to keep your scholarship.

Need more information?
Email at aminstud@umn.edu

College of Liberal Arts Scholarships

The College of Liberal Arts offers scholarships for continuing students, currently enrolled in CLA. Each year, academically talented CLA students receive scholarships based on need or merit.

To apply for CLA Scholarships online, complete the application for the College of Liberal Arts Continuing Student Scholarships. Learn more about available scholarships. There is also a list of scholarships here

Libertus-Rice Transfer Scholarship

The Libertus-Rice Transfer Scholarship is intended to supporter recruitment of Native American transfer students to the College of Liber Arts, especially those from a tribal college or university.

Call for Applications:  The Department of American Indian Studies is accepting applications from UMN-TC Native American students for two Libertus Rice Transfer Scholarships. The awards are for up to $2500 each, and will be awarded in May 2022.
 
Rules for Eligibility
The applicant must,
1) be Native American through tribal-enrollment or by affiliation/lineage, with verifiable documentation AND;
2) be enrolled (or be in the process of enrolling) as a transfer undergraduate student at UMN-TC OR;
3) have transferred (or be in the process of transferring) from a tribal college.
 
Other Requirements
The applicant,
1) must take (or must have taken) at least one American Indian Studies course;
2) remain in good academic standing in order to receive the full amount of the award, which will be dispersed in five increments beginning in May 2022.
 
Criteria for Selection
Applicants will be chosen on the combined basis of financial need and potential for helping build relations between UMN and tribal communities.
 
Application Package
1)  Personal Statement: in one to two pages maximum, introduce
a) yourself, making sure to identify your tribal enrollment in, or your affiliation to, a specific Native American community. If you are not enrolled, explain the basis of your affiliation (how are you related to that community);  b) your need for financial assistance;
c) why you chose UMN and how your choice of studies here might help you serve your tribal community and efforts to build relations between it (or Native Americans in general) and UMN
2)    Unofficial transcripts from UMN and other colleges where you have been enrolled;
3)    One letter of recommendation from a non-family member.
 
Deadline for Submission
11:59 pm, Monday, May 9, 2022. 

Send and address email message and application package materials as electronic attachments to: James Carlisle at carlisle@umn.edu.  Use the Subject heading:  “Libertus-Rice Scholarship Application 2022”
 
Awardees will be notified by May 23, 2022

 

National Scholarship Resources: