"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Scholarship Opportunities

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation is now accepting applications for various scholarships, including undergraduate and graduate scholarships, through Friday, June 13.

“Education is very important to the Cherokee people,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “For a promising future, we need to develop leaders with vision, and education is the gateway to visionary thinking. However, financing an education can be difficult. We are proud to have scholarship opportunities in place for our citizens to help ease the cost associated with pursuing a degree.”

The scholarships are available through the Cherokee Nation’s Education Services Group. The goal of the group is to develop and support comprehensive social, educational and employment programs for Cherokee people.

The Cherokee Nation PELL Scholarship is available to all Cherokee Nation tribal citizens who qualify for Pell grant funding. Scholarship amounts vary. The funding is divided equally to all Pell eligible students who complete the application process.

The Cherokee Nation PELL Supplementation Scholarship is available to Cherokee Nation tribal citizens who live within the jurisdictional boundaries of the tribe and who are eligible to receive the Cherokee Nation PELL Scholarship. To qualify students must meet financial guidelines. Award amounts vary.

The Cherokee Nation Scholarship is open to tribal citizens who are permanent residents of the 14-county jurisdictional area of the Cherokee Nation and who do not qualify for Pell grant funding. Award amounts are $1,000 per semester.

The Haskell Indian Nations University Scholarship is available to all Cherokee Nation tribal citizens who are not eligible for Pell grand funding. The university is located in Lawrence, Kansas. The tribe will fund normal enrollment fees associated with attending the university including room and board. Students must submit an acceptance letter from Haskell University with application.

The Graduate School Scholarship is open to Cherokee Nation tribal citizens who are permanent residents of the jurisdictional area of the Cherokee Nation. Award amounts are $1,000 per semester.

“It’s very important that completed scholarship applications be received in the Higher Education Office by 5:00 p.m. on June 13, 2008. We will accept complete applications postmarked June 13, 2008,” said Jan Grogan, Higher Education Manager. “We must abide by this deadline date to provide timely distribution of funds to those awarded for 2008-2009 Higher Education Scholarships”.

For more information about scholarship opportunities or for an application call 918-453-5465 or 918-207-3948.