Cherokee Nation Foundation Scholarships Opening Soon

About This Scholarship

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is the nonprofit scholarship arm supporting Cherokee Nation citizens, running a single annual application window that covers dozens of named scholarships. The flagship leadership awards — the Principal Chief, Deputy Principal Chief, and Council scholarships — are one-year $5,000 awards, while other funds support specific paths such as fine arts (Bill Rabbit Legacy Art Scholarship), education majors at Northeastern State University (Audie Baker Memorial), and behavioral health students who commit to a service obligation.

Several partner scholarships are renewable for up to five years, including the Oklahoma State University/CNF and University of Tulsa/CNF awards and the Martha Aleshire Farrington Scholarship. GPA requirements range from 2.0 to 3.0 depending on the fund, and students may hold up to two CNF scholarships per academic year.

The application period opens November 1 and closes January 31, with awards announced each spring. Applications run through the foundation's online grant portal, and most funds require Cherokee Nation citizenship.

Eligibility

• Cherokee Nation citizenship required for most scholarships
• High school seniors and current college students, depending on the fund
• GPA requirements range from 2.0 to 3.0 by scholarship
• Some awards are school-specific (Northeastern State, Oklahoma State, University of Tulsa) or major-specific
• Maximum of two CNF scholarships per academic year

How To Apply

• Create an account on the Cherokee Nation Foundation's online application portal (linked from cherokeenationfoundation.org) when the window opens November 1
• Complete the application and upload transcripts, documentation of Cherokee Nation citizenship, and required essays or portfolios
• Submit by the January 31 deadline; awards are announced in the spring

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