To be eligible, the applicant must:
- Be an enrolled member of an American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut tribe, band or group recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment as an undergraduate in an approved degree-granting institution
- Be pursuing at least a two-year degree
- Demonstrate financial need.
Depending on availability of funds, grants may also be made to summer semester students. Priority is given to applicants in the following order:
- Continuing awards
- Applicants enrolled on reservations
- Applicants have already enrolled.
Application forms may be obtained from and submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Building, Room 523, 100 South Clinton Street, Syracuse, NY 13026-0043. An application is necessary for each year of study. The strictly observed application deadlines are as follows:
| Semester | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall semester | July 1 |
| Spring semester | October 15 |
| Summer semester | May 15 |
An official need analysis from the Financial Aid Office is also required each year. Moreover, each first-time applicant must obtain tribal enrollment certification from the enrollment clerk who records enrollment for the tribe. Awards are contingent upon available funds and are based on financial need. Award amounts are equal to the difference between total student expenses and financial assistance from all other sources, as indicated by financial aid administrators.