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American Indian Endowed Scholarship

Web banner for American Indian Endowed Scholarship with young Native woman in a library

2026-27 applications now open: Applications for the American Indian Endowed Scholarship may be submitted to WSAC through Monday, March 2, 2026. See the "How to apply" tab below.

Overview

The American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES) helps students with financial need who have close social and cultural ties to an American Indian community in Washington State. Students can use the scholarship at public colleges and many independent colleges in Washington. The program prioritizes upper-division and graduate-level students, but all applicants are considered.

Award amounts range from around $500 to $3,000. Ten to 15 students are selected each year to receive the awards. Students may get AIES funding for up to five years, but must reapply each year.

Many past recipients have careers in law, medicine, education, business, and resource management. All have returned, or plan to return, to their tribal communities to work on behalf of Indian peoples within the state.

About the Program

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Demonstrate financial need based on a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
  • Meet Washington State residency requirements for financial aid, including additional detail for “Tribal members” (under the heading “Other ways to meet residency requirements”) on the residency requirements page).
  • Intend to enroll full-time as an undergraduate or graduate student at a participating public or private college or university in Washington State beginning fall term of the application year.
  • Intend to use their education to benefit the American Indian community in Washington State.
  • Not pursue a degree in theology.
  • Have not yet received a total of five years of this scholarship.

How to Apply

How to Apply

Applications for the 2026-27 American Indian Endowed Scholarship application may be submitted to WSAC through Monday, March 2, 2026. 

  1. Download and review the application instruction sheet.
  2. Go to the online AIES Portal to create a login ID and password, or login to the AIES Portal with existing info, to access the online scholarship form.
  3. Complete the application form and upload all required attachments to the Portal.
  4. Renewal applicants must download the “Institutional Certification for Renewal Applicant” form (available as a PDF or Word doc). This form must be completed by the applicant’s institutional advisor and returned to the applicant for upload to the online application form.
  5. Applicants are able to work on their application over multiple sessions. Save work before exiting the Portal. Return later to finish and submit the application when complete.