The Seminole Nation Higher Education Department

Higher Education

The Seminole Nation Higher Education Department

The Primary purpose of the Higher Education Program is to provide financial support to allow eligible tribal members to attend institutio20ns of higher learning in pursuit of a professional degree.

This program is designed mainly to assist those seeking an undergraduate degree by attending accredited two-year community colleges and/or four-year universities. However, if funds are still available, graduate students can receive assistance and are encouraged to apply.

Higher Education Handbook

Eligibility

Must be an enrolled Seminole Nation of Oklahoma tribal member

Must be actively pursuing a higher education degree at an accredited institution

Must be working toward a minimum of an associate degree

Must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours

Must maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher in the previous semester to receive scholarship funding

Must complete an application each semester and provide the required documentation to receive assistance

Required documents include college class schedule, college transcript or high school transcript (if just recently graduated high school), if a GED was obtained we need the GED transcript, student ID number with enrollment documentation and copies of CDIB (front) and tribal membership card (front & back)

How to Apply

Have all required documents available and complete the application during the following application periods:

Fall: July 3 – Sept. 14

Spring: Jan. 3 – Feb. 14

Deadline to submit applications is by 5:00 pm CST on the closing date of each application period. This means that the application and ALL required accompanying documentation must have been received by the Higher Education Office by 5:00 pm on each respective closing date!

The application can be accessed here on the tribal website sno-nsn.gov under the Higher Education tab of the Education and Training portal. Simply click below to get the application, or you can go to the Higher Ed. office located at 630 N. Main in Seminole, OK.

Seminole Nation BIA Scholarship Application

FALL 2024 Scholarship Period is now CLOSED. Be looking for the Spring 2025 Scholarship to open on January 3rd.

Below is a link to a slide show tutorial in which scholarship applicants can view to assist them with filling out the application.

Higher Education Scholarship Application Tutorial

Additional Information

Please have all documents available before beginning the application process. Documents that have been altered will not be accepted. Please refrain from writing or drawing on documents that are provided to the Higher Education Office.

Required Documents Include:

Copy of CDIB (front)

Copy of Tribal Membership Card (front & back)

Student schedule – must have student name, name of institution, & classes printed on the page

Verification of Enrollment – this form must be signed and stamped by the institution in which the student will be attending

Official college transcript – including the most recent semester attended (recent high school graduates will turn in an official High School transcript)

If an applicant received his or her GED we need a copy of your GED transcript (not diploma)

The Higher Education office will communicate with the applicant via the email address provided on the application. It is recommended that students apply with an email address that will be monitored frequently. Students over the age of 18 must speak directly with the Higher Education Program.

Applications will be processed in the order in which they are received. Processing time is 6 to 8 weeks from the time the application is submitted. Should the student’s contact information change after completion of the application, the student must contact the Higher Education office to update their record.

Award amounts are based on if the student is full-time or part-time and if the student is attending a two-year college or four-year university.

Higher Education Department Factsheet

Enrollment Status

STUDENTS MUST BE ENROLLED IN AT LEAST 6 COLLEGE CREDIT HOURS FOR A PART-TIME SCHOLARSHIP OR 12 COLLEGE CREDIT HOURS FOR A FULL-TIME SCHOLARSHIP

Full-Time Status
Undergraduate – 12 or more credit hours
Graduate – 9 or more credit hours

Part-Time Status
Undergraduate – 6-11 credit hours
Graduate – 3-8 credit hours

Any degree program that considers full-time or part-time status of a different enrollment rate must be shown in writing from the institution.

Students may be provided one degree per degree level; students are not eligible to receive funding for more than one degree at the same education level.

Education Levels

Associate degree – 6 full-time grading periods

Bachelor’s degree (includes associate’s level) – 12 full-time grading periods (includes 6 full-time associate level semesters)

Master’s degree - 6 full-time grading periods

Doctoral degree – 4 full-time grading periods total after All but Dissertation (ABD) status

THIS PROGRAM CAN ONLY FUND FOR UP TO A TOTAL OF 150 HOURS.

BIA Higher Education Scholarship Breakdown of Funding

Quick Reference Guide & Frequently Asked Questions

The staff of the Higher Education Program is ready and willing to help students seek additional funding for college expenses and costs. Also, below are some links to additional scholarships and/or funding opportunities that could be of great assistance to students in relieving some of the financial burden for attending college.

Related Links/Media

General Funding Links:

Apply for FAFSA - FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid

7 Easy Steps to FAFSA - 7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA: Student's Guide to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (ucsb.edu)

UCanGo2 - UCanGo2

Oklahoma College Assistance Program - Oklahoma College Assistance Program Home Page (ocap.org)

OK College Start - OKcollegestart - Home

Start With FAFSA - startwithfafsa.org – What you need to know about submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education - Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education | Welcome(okhighered.org)

Oklahoma’s Promise - Oklahoma's Promise (okhighered.org)

Scholarships 360 - Scholarship opportunities for students - Scholarships360

Coca-Cola Scholarship - Celebrating 35 Years of Visionary Leaders - Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

The Gates Scholarship - Opportunity today, for America’s young change-makers

Native American Funding Links:

Indian Health Service Scholarship Program - IHS Scholarship Program | Indian Health Service (IHS)

American Indian Graduate Center - American Indian Graduate Center - The Center for Native Scholarships (aigcs.org)

American Indian College Fund - American Indian College Fund

O.C.I.E Oklahoma Council for Indian Education | (oklahoma-ocie.org)

N.I.E.A. Scholarship Opportunities — National Indian Education Association (niea.org)

Native Forward Scholarships For Native Students | Native Forward Scholars Fund

Cobell Scholarship - Cobell Scholarship | Native American ScholarshipsNative American Scholarship, Indian Scholarship, Indigenous Scholarships, American Indian Scholarship, Indian Academic Scholarships

American Indian Services Scholarships for Native American Students | American Indian Services

Catching The Dream - Application Forms

American Indian Education Fund - American Indian Education Fund Undergraduate Scholarships

American Indian Affairs Scholarship - Oldest Native American Scholarship Program in the U.S.

St. Joseph Indian School Scholarship - Native American College Scholarships

Well Fargo American Indian Scholarship - Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship 2024-2025

A.I.S.E.S. (American Indian Science and Engineering Society) - Scholarships for Native Students in STEM fields

If a student needs assistance applying for additional funding, the staff of the Higher Education Office is ready and willing to offer help. Also, below is a link to tips on applying for additional scholarships.

Tips for Applying for Scholarships

Contact Information

Dayna J. Carpitcher, Director
Phone: 405-241-6801
Email: harjo.d@sno-nsn.gov
Office Location: 630 N. Main St., Seminole, OK 74868 (right next to the Pink Laundry)
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 464, Seminole, OK 74818