College Grants for Native Americans

Many Native Americans would like to go to college and earn a degree. The problem for many of them is the expense involved in paying for tuition. The options for most people are to take out student loans, pay cash for the tuition, or to get grants. The good news for Native Americans who may have a low income and can’t afford to pay for an education is that they may qualify for college grants.

It’s estimated that the average cost of attending a state or public college is nearly $10,000 per year. Most people who take out student loans to pay for their college education come away owing an average of $37,000. It’s tough to not only pay that much per year to attend college, but it’s also difficult to graduate from college being so far in debt with student loans. Those who have low incomes may qualify for college grants to help pay for their education.

A college grant is a great option to help people pay for their tuition. Grants will help people by paying all or part of the tuition, and the grant does not have to be paid back. This makes it easier for those in need to obtain a college education without getting hit with a bit expense to do so. There are numerous areas you can explore to begin getting information about college grants.

Here are some college grants for Native Americans:

• Tribal Offices. When looking for college grants, it can be helpful for Native Americans to stop by their local Tribal Offices. The office may have information about national and local college grant information. They may know which local companies or organizations offers grants, and may have the applications readily available for you to apply for them.
• Federal Pell Grants. The Federal Pell Grant program is one of the most popular options for those who can’t afford college tuition. The program provides grants to those who have a low income. The program is open to those who have not yet earned an undergraduate degree. There is a maximum amount that the grant offers per year, which is $6,095, but that is enough to pay for all or most of many state college tuition programs. The program will take your family income into account to determine if you qualify for the grant. You can apply for the Federal Pell Grant online.
• The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering has a program to help get more Native Americans to enter the engineering field. They scholarships help those Native Americans who will be getting a degree in engineering. Their program focuses on Native Americans so that it encourages more of them to enter the field. You can apply for those grants and scholarships online.
• College Financial Aid Offices. Most college financial aid offices have information about grants that are available on a national and local level. Make an appointment or stop by the financial aid office at the college or university you want to attend. This will give you an opportunity to inquire about what type of college grants for Native Americans are available. They may also have the applications there, making it convenient to get the process started. The financial aid office should also know of any grants that the college gives out, which are often funded by local donations to the institution. Some grants may be available to anyone, while others may be for those who wish to study a specific field, such as engineering, or education.

Native Americans who need grants to attend college should contact several places at once to inquire about the options. Once all of the options are gathered, then you can determine which one is the better route to take in order to get your college tuition paid for. The help is available for those who need assistance paying for college, but it will take a little effort on your part. You will need to contact the places, apply for the grants, and follow up to see if they are approved. Once they are approved you will be able to get your college tuition paid for and you won’t have to pay the grant back.