Cobell Scholarship (Undergraduate) Opening Soon
Offered by Indigenous Education, Inc.
About This Scholarship
The Cobell Scholarship traces back to Elouise Cobell's 1996 class-action lawsuit on behalf of 300,000 Native trust beneficiaries — settled in 2010 as the largest class-action settlement against the federal government in history. The settlement set aside $60 million for education, and the Department of the Interior has since transferred the full $60 million cap into the Cobell Education Scholarship Fund through the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations. Indigenous Education, Inc., a nonprofit created specifically for this purpose, has administered the awards since the 2015-16 cycle under the oversight of the Cobell Board of Trustees.
Eligibility rests on three requirements: enrolled membership in a U.S. federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native Corporation, full-time enrollment, and pursuit of a degree or credential at an accredited nonprofit institution. Award amounts vary by student rather than following a flat figure, and funds are paid directly to your school.
One application covers a lot of ground. The scholarship runs six tracks — undergraduate, graduate and professional, vocational and trade, summer session, summer research fellowship, and dissertation fellowship — and the OASIS online portal automatically matches you to every award you qualify for through a seven-step application.
Eligibility
- Enrolled member of a U.S. federally recognized American Indian tribe or Alaska Native Corporation (descendants are not eligible; enrollment required)
- Enrolled full-time in a degree- or credential-seeking program
- Attending an accredited, nonprofit public or private institution
- Demonstrated unmet financial need
How To Apply
- Create a profile in the OASIS application portal via cobellscholar.org
- Complete the eligibility match and submit the undergraduate or graduate application between December 15 and March 31 (11:59 p.m. MT)
- Accept your offer and track disbursement through the portal if selected
Frequently Asked Questions
Can tribal descendants apply for the Cobell Scholarship?
No — unlike the American Indian College Fund's Full Circle Scholarship, Cobell requires actual enrolled membership in a federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native Corporation, not descent from an enrolled member.