Parents came together through Minnetonka’s American Indian Education program to create ribbon shirts and skirts for themselves or a family member. The class offered time to connect, share creativity and celebrate cultural traditions while making something meaningful.

• American Indian College Fund: provides scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native students. Basic eligibility includes:
  • Be an enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, or a descendant of an enrolled member;
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00; and
  • Be a high school senior in their last semester.
  • Full-time enrollment at an accredited, nonprofit institution of higher learning.
• American Indian Scholars Program: This program provides a first-dollar tuition and fee-free pathway for Minnesotans eligible for resident tuition who are enrolled members or citizens of any federally recognized tribe or Canadian First Nation to attend a Minnesota State institution or the University of Minnesota. Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate certificate, diploma, or degree program at a Minnesota State institution or a campus of the University of Minnesota. 
• American Indian Services Scholarship Scholarship: Awards are based on up to one-half of tuition. Scholarships are available year-round with varying deadlines. Students are eligible if they are: 
  • Enrolled or will enroll as a matriculated student in a university, college, junior college or technical school located in the United States (incoming freshman accepted)
  • An enrolled member of a U.S. Federally Recognized American Indian or Alaska Native Tribe.
• AISES American Indian Science and Engineering Society Scholarships: The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) helps students move forward in their educational journeys by providing a wide range of programs and scholarship opportunities. AISES scholarships help students acquire skills and training that will help them meet the unique STEM needs of our communities. We highly encourage you to apply for all the scholarships you are eligible for! To apply, you must be an AISES member which is free for students. 
• AIGC Turtle Map: This resource provides scholarship information to encourage and promote postsecondary education for Native students, to promote networking opportunities for Native Americans, and to raise awareness and appreciation for the contributions made by Native Americans to our society.
• Cobell Scholarship Program: For academic year 2026-27. Students are eligible if they are enrolled in a federally recognized tribe and planning to attend college full-time. 
• Ethel Curry American Indian Leadership Scholarship: The Ethel Curry Scholarship is available to American Indian students enrolled in a federally recognized tribe who are attending a Minnesota Institution of Higher Education. Applications must be submitted March 1 - May 31 annually. 
• Indian Health Service (IHS) Scholarship Program: The IHS Scholarship Program provides qualified American Indian and Alaska Native health professions students an opportunity to establish an educational foundation for each stage of their pre-professional careers. The application cycle is usually Dec - Feb. Please check!
• Minnesota Future Together Grants: This program will provide eligible Minnesotans with a tuition-free pathway for earning a certificate, diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree at any public institution in the state. To be eligible for this grant, you must:
  • Be a MN resident
  • Attend a MN public higher education institution or Tribal College
  • Enrolled as a degree-seeking student in a program that leads to a career in one of the following high-need areas including healthcare, STEM, business, industry and technology, education, or public service
  • Have a Family AGI reported on FAFSA or State Aid Application less than $50,000
• Minnesota Indian Scholarship: Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota resident students who are of one-fourth or more Indian ancestry and demonstrate financial need for an award. Apply in the MNAid application portal. To create an account, follow the step-by-step guide. The priority deadline is July 1st annually. In order to qualify for this scholarship, you must:
  • be one-fourth or more American Indian ancestry or enrolled in a federally recognized tribe 
    • Step-by-step guide to upload enrollment or ancestry documentation
  • be a Minnesota resident
  • be enrolled in an accredited college, university or vocational school in Minnesota; and qualify for either a Pell or State Grant
• Native Forward Scholars Fund: A scholarship database for American Indian students. 
• North Star Promise Scholarship Program: The North Star Promise Scholarship Program covers the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied. This scholarship is available at all Minnesota State Universities, all University of Minnesota campuses, and all tribal colleges in MN. In order to qualify for this scholarship, you must:
  • Be a MN resident
  • Have a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application below $80,000
  • Attend a MN public higher education institution
• Scholarship.com: Scholarship list specific to American Indian students. Other scholarships can be searched as well. 
• Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Endowed Scholarship: Eligibility requirements include: 
  • Incoming University of Minnesota (any campus) first-year and transfer students
  • Documented proof of American Indian heritage
  • Demonstrated financial need

• Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College: A public two-year college offering certificates and associate degrees. There is student housing available on campus. 
  • Accepts the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program
• Leech Lake Tribal College: A public two-year college offering certificates and associate degrees. 
  • Accepts the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program
  • Leech Lake Tribal College has nine scholarships specifically for their students with varying eligibility based on study interest
• Red Lake Nation Tribal College: A public two-year college offering certificates and associate degrees with locations in Red Lake and Minneapolis, MN.
  • Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program
  • Rose Marweg Scholarship: Applicants must be a full time student in good attendance and have participated in community service or volunteer work with a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Oshkiimaajitahdah Scholarship: For students who are enrolled members of Red Lake
• White Earth Tribal and Community College: A public two-year college offering certificates and associate degrees located in Mahnomen, MN.

• Augsburg University: A private, four-year, liberal arts university based in Minneapolis, MN. Augsburg has American Indian Student Services on campus.
  • American Indian Recognition Full Tuition Program: The program defines “American Indian” as an enrolled member of any federally recognized American Indian tribe, Alaskan Native Village, or Canadian First Nation, or a direct descendent (child or grandchild) of an enrolled or tribally verified member. 
• Bemidji State University: A public, four-year, liberal arts university located about four hours north in Bemidji, MN. Bemidji State has an American Indian Resource Center on campus. 
  • American Indian Scholars Program: The program covers tuition and fees. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a Minnesota resident who qualifies for resident tuition and an enrolled member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Canadian First Nation and provide a copy of your tribal membership card or documentation. 
• Bethel University: A private four-year university located in Saint Paul MN. Offers a scholarship through the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program.
• Carleton College: A small, private, four-year liberal arts college located in Northfield, MN.  Carelton has a new initiative, Indigenous Engagement in Place, providing resources and support to Native American students. The Indigenous Peoples Alliance is a club for Native students on campus. 
• College of Saint Benedict & Saint John’s University: A small, private four-year liberal arts college located in Saint Joseph/Collegeville, MN. CSBSJU has an Indigenous Student Association and the Initiative for Native Nation Relations on campus. 
  • Ratelle Native American Scholarship is applied to a student’s financial aid when they apply but they must provide an enrollment number of any federally recognized tribe. 
• Concordia College: A private liberal arts four-year college located in Moorhead, MN. 
• Concordia University: A private liberal arts four-year university located in Saint Paul, MN. 
• Dunwoody Technical College: A two to four-year private technical college located in Minneapolis, MN. 
• Gustavus Adolphus College: A private four-year liberal arts college located in Saint Peter, MN. 
• Hamline University: A private four-year liberal arts university located in Saint Paul, MN. Hamline has a student club called Hamline Indigenous Peoples Society (HIPS) for native students. 
  • Accepts the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program. Students are eligible if they are a MN resident, have at least ¼ native american ancestry or can provide an enrollment number, and qualify for the federal Pell or MN state grant. 
• Macalester College: A private four-year liberal arts college located in Saint Paul, MN. Macalester has a BIPOC coalition on campus with a Proud Indigenous Peoples for Education (PIPE) student club.
• Metro State University: A public four-year university located in Saint Paul, MN. 
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design: A private four-year college located in Minneapolis, MN specializing in visual arts. 
• Minnesota State University - Moorhead: A public four-year university located in Moorhead, MN. MSU - Moorhead has an American Indian Center on campus that provides resources and cultural events for American Indian students. The scholarships listed below are open from October 1st to February 1st annually.
  • George Soule American Indian Scholarship: For American Indian students, tribal enrollment is not required. 
  • Helen Roberti Diversity Scholarship: For American Indian students, tribal enrollment is not required. 
  • Kathryn Collitan Native American Scholarship: For American Indian students, tribal enrollment is not required but priority is given to students in the honors program. 
• Minnesota State University - Mankato: A public four-year university located in Mankato, MN. The American Indian Affairs team through the multicultural center on campus provides resources and cultural programming for Native students. 
  • Accepts the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program. Students are eligible if they are a MN resident, have at least one-fourth native american ancestry or can provide an enrollment number, and qualify for the federal Pell or MN state grant. 
  • American Indian Scholars Program: The program covers tuition and fees. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a Minnesota resident who qualifies for resident tuition and an enrolled member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Canadian First Nation and provide a copy of your tribal membership card or documentation. 
• North Central University: A private four-year university located in Downtown Minneapolis, MN. 
• Northwestern Health Sciences University: A private four-year university with varying programs focused on healthcare located in Bloomington, MN. 
• Rasmussen College: A private college with seven on-site locations in MN including Bloomington, Eagan, Brooklyn Park, Lake Elmo, Mankato, Moorhead, and Saint Cloud. On-line classes are also available.  
• Saint Mary’s University: A private four-year university located in Winona, MN. 
• Southwest Minnesota State University: A public four-year university located in Marshall, MN. SMSU has a native student club on campus called Oyate. 
  • Accepts the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program and the American Indian Scholars Program. 
• St. Catherine University: A private, all-womens, four-year university located in Saint Paul, MN.
• Saint Cloud University: A public, four-year university located in Saint Cloud, MN. SCSU has an American Indian Center on campus with full-time staff for student support and a student club called the All Tribes Council. 
  • Meyer/Heltemes Endowed Memorial Scholarship: For those who can provide tribal ancestry. 
  • Duane Dunkley Memorial Scholarship: For those enrolled in Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and are education majors. 
  • Holmgren Scholarship for Native Americans: For those who are enrolled in a tribe or at least one-quarter Native American.
• St. Olaf University: A private four-year university located in Northfield, MN. They have a student club on campus called Indigenous Peoples Organization. 
• The College of Saint Scholastica: A private four-year college located in Duluth, MN. There is a student club called Native American Student Alliance on campus.
  • Ge-naadamaagoyan Scholarship: Available to first-year students who are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and have submitted the FAFSA form. The scholarship amount is for up to $10,000 and is renewable. 
• University of Minnesota: A four-year public university with five locations across Minnesota. All locations offer the Native American Promise Tuition Program which is available to students who are enrolled in a MN tribal nation, with a family income of less than $125,000 per year and who plan to be full-time students. Students must also submit the American Indian Scholars Program Application. Students at any campus are eligible to apply for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Endowed Scholarship if they have documented proof of American Indian heritage and demonstrated financial need. 
  • Crookston
  • Duluth: There is a Indigenous Student Organization club on campus. 
  • Morris: There is a Native American Student Success Center on campus that provides support and resources for students. The American Indian Tuition Waiver offers free tuition to students who are enrolled or a direct descendant of a parent or grandparent of a federally recognized tribe.
  • Rochester 
  • Twin Cities There is an American Indian Student Cultural Center on campus. There is also an American Indian Cultural House, which is co-ed housing available to first-year students who identify as Native American/Indigenous. 
• University of St. Thomas: A four-year private university located in St. Paul, MN.
  • University of St. Thomas accepts up to $4,000 in external scholarship funds from the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program. 
• Winona State University: A public four-year university located in Winona, MN. Winona State has a student club called Turtle Island Student Organization for students who identify as Native American. 
  • Accepts the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program. 

• Anoka Technical College: A public two-year college offering certificates and associate degrees located in Anoka, MN. 
• Dakota County Technical College: A public two-year college offering certificates and associate degrees located in Rosemount, MN. 
• Hennepin Technical College: A public two-year college offering certificates and associate degrees located in Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie, MN. 
• Minneapolis Community Technical College: A public two-year college offering certificates and associate degrees located in Minneapolis, MN.
  • MCTC has an American Indian Success Program for students. 
• Normandale Community College: A public two-year college offering certificates and associate degrees located in Bloomington, MN.

• Fort Lewis College: A four-year public college located in Durango, CO. 
  • Offers a Native American Tuition Waiver to those who are enrolled or children of someone enrolled in a federally recognized tribe. 
• Haskell Indian Nations University: A four-year public university located in Lawrence, KS. 
• South Dakota State University: A four-year public university located in Brookings, SD. SDSU has an American Indian Student Center on campus to support students. 
  • Offers a Wokini Scholarship for students who tribally enrolled in a federally recognized tribe in the United States, including Alaskan Natives. 
• University of North Dakota: A four-year public university located in Fargo, ND. UND has an Indigenous Student Center on campus to support students. 
• University of Wisconsin: A four-year public university with several locations across Wisconsin. 
  • Green Bay: UW-Green Bay has a Center for First Nation Education on campus to support Native students and an Intertribal student club. 
  • Madison: UW-Madison has an Indigenous Success Center on campus to support Native students. 
• Tribal Colleges and Universities Map: A map of the tribal colleges and universities across the U.S. Some campuses have student housing available. 

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Parent Surveys

• SY26/27 Parent Survey - Please complete this annual survey to provide feedback about the program.
• Parent Opt-In Form - Please complete this form to opt in for communications from the American Indian Education Program and select the services or events that interest you.

Academic 

• American Indian Education Academic Assistance Request Form - If your student needs assistance for academics, postsecondary preparation, Driver’s License education, etc., please complete this form for each student in your household.

Cultural

• Smudging Permission Form

Services

• Driver Education

• MDE - American Indian Education
• Spreadsheet for Indigenous Peoples’ Day Lessons
• MN Tribal Nations
  • https://boisforte.com/
  • https://www.fdlband.org/
  • https://www.grandportageband.com/
  • https://www.llojibwe.org/
  • https://lowersioux.com/
  • https://www.millelacsband.com/
  • https://www.redlakenation.org/
  • https://shakopeedakota.org/
  • https://www.uppersiouxcommunity-nsn.gov/
  • https://www.whiteearth.com/

What is the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee? 

Per Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.78, subdivision 3, the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee must be composed of parents or guardians of American Indian children eligible to be enrolled in American Indian education programs; American Indian secondary students; American Indian family members of students eligible to be enrolled in American Indian education programs; American Indian language and culture education teachers and paraprofessionals; American Indian teachers; American Indian district employees; American Indian counselors; adult American Indian people enrolled in educational programs; and American Indian community members.  The majority of each committee must be the parents or guardians of the American Indian children enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in the program. 

2026-27 AIPAC/JOM Meetings

Virtual meeting links will be provided under the Upcoming Events by the meeting information, as well as sent in calendar requests for each meeting.

AIPAC Meeting Dates:

• October 20, 2026
• November 2, 2026
• November 17, 2026
• December 7, 2026
• December 15, 2026
• January 5, 2027
• January 19, 2027
• February 1, 2027
• February 16, 2027
• March 1, 2027
• March 16, 2027
• April 6, 2027
• April 20, 2027
• May 3, 2027
• May 18, 2027
• June 7, 2027

November is American Indian Heritage month. Please click here for additional learning resources.