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Scholarship Program

Rekindling the embers of ancestral wisdom; renewing sacred connections

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Indigenia Scholarship Program

Pathways to Excellence Initiative

The Indigenia Foundation is committed to providing financial and mentorship support to Indigenous students of all ages, including adult learners and non-traditional students, ensuring academic success and career readiness while preserving cultural identity. We welcome students from both federally and non-federally recognized Indigenous communities, recognizing that historical displacement should never be a barrier to educational access.

Through our “Pathways to Excellence” program, we nurture talent, encourage exploration of cultural identity through creative and scholarly expression, and empower Indigenous learners to 

become leaders, educators, artists, entrepreneurs, and change-makers who strengthen their communities throughcultural preservation, economic development, and advocacy for Indigenous rights and sovereignty.

Based in New Mexico and with strong partnerships with institutions like the Institute of American Indian Arts(IAIA), our foundation aims to support 25 Indigenous students this year, creating ripple effects of positive change that extend from individual achievement to community resilience and cultural continuity.

Program Overview

Our comprehensive scholarship program supports Indigenous students pursuing higher education or vocational training, with special emphasis on the arts, computer science, museum studies, education, STEM fields, entrepreneurship, healthcare, nursing, and medical sciences. We believe that financial barriers should never prevent talented Indigenous students from achieving their educational and professional goals.

Scholarship Categories

Academic Excellence Scholarships

  • Full Scholarships: Up to $5,000 for undergraduate students
  • Partial Scholarships: $2,500 for undergraduate and graduate students
  • Vocational Training Scholarships: Up to $3,000 for technical and trade programs

Specialized Field
Scholarships

  • STEM Excellence Awards: $3,000 for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
  • Healthcare Professions: $4,000 for nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, mental health, and other professional healthcare programs
  • Healthcare Vocational: $2,500 for medical assistant, pharmacy technician, dental hygienist, and allied health vocational programs
  • Entrepreneurship Scholarships: $2,500 for business and entrepreneurship programs
  • Arts & Cultural Studies: $2,500 for creative arts, museum studies, and cultural preservation
  • Education Leadership: $2,500 for future educators and community leaders

Apply Now

START YOUR PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE TODAY!
APPLY NOW

Cultural Preservation Scholarships

  • Language Revitalization: $2,000 for Native language studies
  • Traditional Arts: $2,000 for traditional craft and artistic practices
  • Indigenous Research: $3,000 for students conducting research on Native history, governance, or sustainability

Eligibility Requirements

General Eligibility
  • Must be a degree-seeking student enrolled in an accredited institution
  • Must be enrolled in at least half-time status (minimum 6 credit hours)
  • Must provide documentation of Indigenous heritage through one of the following:
    • Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) from a federally recognized tribe
    • Tribal enrollment certificate
    • Documentation of membership/association with a Tribal Nation or Indigenous community (including non-federally recognized tribes)
    • Canadian First Nation Status Card
    • Community letter from tribal/Indigenous community leaders verifying cultural affiliation
    • Cultural affiliation statement with supporting documentation from Indigenous community members
    • Other acceptable documentation demonstrating Indigenous heritage and community connection
Academic Standards
  • General Programs – Minimum GPA: 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher
  • Healthcare Professional Programs – Minimum GPA: 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
  • Students with minimum GPA who show potential for improvement will be considered
  • Merit-based awards available for students with 3.5+ GPA
Financial Need
  • Must demonstrate financial need through personal financial statement or other documentation
  • Financial need assessment will be flexible and considerate of individual circumstances

Application Requirements

Required Documentation
  • Completed Application Form
  • Official Transcripts from current/most recent institution
  • Proof of Enrollment: Current class schedule or enrollment verification
  • Indigenous Heritage Documentation: Any of the acceptable forms listed in eligibility requirements
  • One Letter of Recommendation from academic, professional, or community leader/elder reference
Personal Statement Requirement

Applicants must submit one personal statement of 250-500 words addressing:

 

“Describe your educational and career goals, how this scholarship will help you achieve them, and how your education will benefit your community.”

Submission Guidelines
  • Format Options: Choose the most accessible format for you:
    • Written submission (typed, handwritten, or any written format)
    • Audio recording (mp3, wav, or any audio format)
    • Video recording (mp4, mov, or any video format)
    • Any combination of the above
  • Zero-Tolerance Policy: All submissions are screened for AI generation. Use of AI will result in immediate disqualification
  • Submissions must be original work following standard plagiarism policies
  • Do not include your name in the content (applications are reviewed anonymously)
  • If submitting audio/video, please speak clearly and ensure good audio quality
Aditional Requirements
  • Donor Thank You Letter: Required upon award acceptance
  • Personal Financial Statement: Simple form documenting financial need and circumstances

Award Information

2025 Funding Goals
  • Total Program Budget: $75,000
  • Number of Awards: 25 scholarships
  • Average Award Amount: $3,000
  • Award Range: $500 – $5,000 depending on program and need
Award Selection Criteria
Awards are distributed based on:
Financial need assessment
40%
Academic potential and merit
35%
Personal statement quality and community connection
25%
Disbursement Process
  • Awards are credited directly to the student’s institutional account
  • Disbursement occurs within two weeks of semester start to help with immediate expenses
  • Recipients must maintain enrollment and satisfactory academic progress

Application Timeline

Application Deadlines
  • Fall Semester: Applications due June 1st
  • Spring Semester: Applications due October 1st
Processing Timeline
  • Application review: 4 weeks after deadline
  • Award notifications: Via email within 6 weeks of deadline
  • Disbursement: Within 2 weeks of semester start for immediate expense assistance

Apply Now

Don’t wait, Let’s get started.
START YOUR PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE TODAY!
APPLY NOW

Contact Information

Email: scholarships@indigenia.com
Phone: (505) 555-1234
Response Time: 2-5 business days for email inquiries.
Office Hours:  Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MST)

Mailing Address:
Indigenia Foundation
150 Washington Ave., Suite 201
Santa Fe, NM 87505

Join the Pathways to Excellence Campaign

Talented Indigenous students across our community face impossible choices: pursue their dreams or support their families. Financial barriers force too many to abandon their education, leaving communities without the doctors, teachers, engineers, and entrepreneurs they desperately need.

The Solution You Make Possible

Your donation to the Indigenia Foundation’s Pathways to Excellence program doesn’t just pay tuition—it preserves cultures, strengthens communities, and builds Indigenous leadership for generations to come.

Your Impact by the Numbers
  • 25 students supported each year
  • 89% graduation rate among scholarship recipients
  • 78% return to serve their home communities
  • $75,000 total program goal for 2025-26
Monthly Giving: The Partnership Option

Join our Circle of Supporters with monthly giving:

  • $25/month = $300 annual impact
  • $50/month = $600 annual impact
  • $100/month = $1,200 annual impact
Corporate Partnership Opportunities
  • Program Champion: $5,000
  • Program Category Sponsor: $2,500
  • Community Partner: $1,000
Other ways to help
  • Spread the Word: Share our mission within your networks and communities
  • Volunteer Opportunities: Serve as mentors or workshop facilitators
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The Indigenia Foundation is committed to empowering Indigenous students to achieve academic excellence while honoring their cultural heritage. Together, we build pathways to success that strengthen both individual futures and community resilience.