FOND DU LAC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
POLICIES, PROCEDURES, GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS
CONGRATS for signing up for college! Have you turned in your Fond du Lac Scholarship Program application? Are you ready?
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Do the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), www.studentaid.gov.
- If attending college in MN, apply for the MN Indian Scholarship, www.ohe.state.mn.us.
- Due by July 1st, the Fond du Lac Scholarship Program application must be turned in. Get application here.
- Documents needed are – Checklist, application sheet, turn budget sheet in to your FA Office, Release of Information, Repayment Agreement, Policies & Procedures acknowledgment, “successfully processed” FAFSA sheet, current class schedule, Education Plan, copy of HS diploma or GED, acceptance letter from college.
- Funding from the FDL SP is based off of your unmet need. There is a limit to the available funding for all students based on an academic school year (fall, winter, spring, summer), AND your grade point average.
You can reach Shelley West at rachellewest@fdlrez.com, (218) 878-2633, or Veronica Smith at veronicasmith@fdlrez.com, (218) 878-2681, for all of your FDL SP questions.
Historically, Anishnaabeg were a “performance based” people. The Leaders and Elders would reward a person for the good and positive contributions made to and for their families, community and tribe. Our people continue to practice this tradition which results in a healthy community; a place where people can meet their economic, social, physical, cultural and spiritual needs, work together for the common good and participate in creating their future. The Fond du Lac Scholarship Program’s mission is to follow this path by “rewarding” or providing scholarship assistance to eligible band members who seek to complete college degrees, technical school certificates or private career school diplomas.
Guide to Scholarships for Indigenous Students (offsite link)
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Login Cheat Sheet
One-time Federal Student Loan Debt Relief - Eligible borrowers can get a full or partial discharge of loans up to $20,000.
Contact the Scholarship Office:
1720 Big Lake Road.
Cloquet, MN 55720
Phone: 1-800-365-1613 or 218-878-2681
FAX: 218-878-7529
Email: scholarships@fdlrez.com
College Tips
Entering college? Look here for handy tips to make your college life much more rewarding!
College Opportunities
AIANTA Tourism & Hospitality Scholarship
AIANTA is proud to offer the Tourism & Hospitality Scholarship, which provides American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students with financial assistance towards a degree or certificate in hospitality, tourism, recreation, culinary arts or related fields. Each year, AIANTA awards five individuals who have met all scholarship application criteria.
Community Health Worker Scholarships
The Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance seeks eligible applicants for 90 scholarships for individuals across the state to complete the Minnesota Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate. The CHW Certificate is a 16-credit college program that can be completed in two semesters.
Purdue Global Scholarships for Minority Students
Minority students have long been underrepresented at U.S. colleges and universities, but they’re increasingly making their presence felt. Of the 16.6 million undergraduate students enrolled in fall 2019, the NCES says 3.5 million were Latino, 2.1 million were Black, 1.1 million were Asian, 116,400 were American Indian/Alaska Native, and 45,000 were Pacific Islander. Many scholarships, grants, and other programs are available to help racial and ethnic minority students pay for a college education. Click the link below for 45+ scholarship opportunities for minority students.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund Internship Program
TMCF supports and represents students attending HBCUs across the country. This program accepts undergraduate students with at least a sophomore standing, graduate, and professional students. Applicants must maintain at least a 3.0 G.P.A. with strong verbal and written communication skills. They must able to demonstrate strong initiative and drive, in the following fields: science, technology, engineering, agriculture, mathematics, or business. The deadline to submit an application is August 31, 2023.
LHB Internship Program
LHB Corp. in Duluth, MN has several college internship positions open. Some of these include Architectural College Intern, Electrical College Intern, Interior Design College Intern, Mechanical Engineering College Intern, Structural Engineering College Intern and more. For a complete list of positions and application instructions, visit the LHB website at lhbcorp.com/careers/internships/.
U of Mn School of Nursing Pathway
The University of Minnesota School of Nursing’s new Doctoral Education Pathway for American Indian/Alaska Native Nurses supports AI/AN nurses in completing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD degree at the University of Minnesota.
School of Nursing Pathway Flyer
Minnesota Private Colleges Add New Majors
Creating a new major is a serious undertaking that requires careful planning, preparation and hard work. Learn about the planning and preparation that went into launching the new programs being offered by Hamline, St. Olaf and St. Thomas.
Cosmetology Schools Near Me Scholarships
Cosmetology Schools Near Me scholarships page is an aide to help find scholarships in the vocational trades, focusing on cosmetology. To see scholarships referred from this resource, click the link below. (Scholarships list is near bottom of page)
Cosmetology Schools Near Me Scholarships page
St. Cloud State Native Educators Standing Together
The Minnesota Indian Teacher Training Program (TTP) provides scholarships, mentoring and support for American Indian students starting, continuing or completing a teacher preparation program or another eligible program focusing on any area of Pre-K-12 employment.
Study.com Scholarships
This year's scholarships include:
- Scholarships for STEM and Business majors
- Scholarships for future teachers and nurses
- Scholarships for underrepresented populations, Indigenous students, and first-generation students
- and many more!
University of Minnesota Native American Promise Tuition Program
U of MN has announced its Native American Promise Tuition Program. Starting in Fall 2022, they are expanding the Morris Campus program to the remaining four system campuses, giving substantial financial support, and in many cases completely free tuition, to first-year undergraduate students and transfers from Tribal colleges who are enrolled citizens in one of Minnesota’s 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations.
Augsburg University Full Tuition Program
Starting this fall, Augsburg University of Minneapolis, will launch the American Indian Recognition Full Tuition Program to support and promote the importance of American Indian students on campus. While several states have enacted laws providing financial aid to American Indian students, this full-tuition program appears to be one of the first of its kind among private U.S. colleges and universities. Unlike many public institutions, Augsburg’s program does not limit eligibility to American Indian students who live in the state. See related links below:
Augsburg University Full Tuition Program Page
Augsburg University General Information
Scholarships for Native American Students
The website, BestColleges.com, has a helpful section for Native American students. Learn about scholarships available to Native American students, and discover ways to help pay for your postsecondary education.
Students United Scholarships
Students United, a nonprofit in MN that advocates for students' rights, has scholarships available for students who are attending any MinnState system college/university.
We offer/promote 8 scholarships with varying criteria.
- Some of them are open to graduate students as well as undergrad.
- Most are about leadership and advocacy, but we also have some need-based scholarships as well as an emergency relief fund.
- There are two that are only available for those who identify themselves as a person of color (being the Elizabeth Pegues Matching Scholarship and the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship).
UMD Master's Programs
For anyone who is considering either UMD’s Master of Tribal Resource and Environmental Stewardship program or the Master of Tribal Administration and Governance program; The 1854 Treaty Authority and the University of Minnesota are partnering to create a fully-funded graduate assistantship which will cover tuition, living stipend, and health insurance throughout the two-year master’s degree (Fall 2022 - Spring 2024).
University of Minnesota Native American Promise Tuition Program
U of MN has announced its Native American Promise Tuition Program. Starting in Fall 2022, they are expanding the Morris Campus program to the remaining four system campuses, giving substantial financial support, and in many cases completely free tuition, to first-year undergraduate students and transfers from Tribal colleges who are enrolled citizens in one of Minnesota’s 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations. For more information about the University of Minnesota Native American Promise Tuition Program, please click here.
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Opportunities
Weekend College Learning Community - every-other weekend, meeting Friday evening and all day Saturday for two years Degree Me Learning Community - meeting Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for two years
University of Phoenix Scholarship
The University of Phoenix and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa have teamed up to provide educational opportunities to the tribal community while minimizing or eliminating the need for student loan debt.
Minnesota Power Foundation “Positively Powerful” Scholarship Fund
The fund provides need-based scholarships to deserving students in Minnesota Power’s service area who demonstrate integrity, academic achievement, grit and perseverance. This scholarship provides an opportunity to minimize the financial barriers of higher education while creating an economically thriving and culturally vibrant talent community in northeastern and central Minnesota.
Positively Powerful Scholarships
Benefits.Gov Grant Matching Program
Two programs are available from Benefits.Gov; Matching Grants to Tribes for Scholarship Program, and Indian Higher Education Grant Program. The Matching Grants program is specifically for students in the Health Care field. The Higher Education Program is for any college students. For details and qualifications, see the links below:
Matching Grants to Tribes for Scholarship Program
Indian Higher Education Grant Program
University of Arizona Indigenous Governance Program
The Indigenous Governance Program (IGP) provides educational opportunities for individuals interested in a deep, practical understanding of Indigenous governance and rights. Our internationally renowned faculty teach a combination of live and online courses for tribal leaders and other professionals to collaborate on how to strengthen Indigenous governance.
January in Tucson - Three weeks of three-day courses.
Grad Program - Master of Professional Studies in Indigenous Governance
Scholarship Office Staff
Rachelle A. West
Scholarship Director
Office: 218-878-2633
FAX: 218-878-7529
rachellewest@fdlrez.com
Veronica Smith
Scholarship Program Assistant
Office: 218-878-2681
FAX: 218-878-7529
veronicasmith@fdlrez.com