Comprehensive overview of the Cobell Scholarship,
What Is the Cobell Scholarship?
The Cobell Scholarship, named in honor of Elouise “Yellow Bird Woman” Cobell, was established from a settlement with the U.S. government. It provides annual, merit-based financial support to American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing post-secondary education through Indigenous Education, Inc.
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Types & Eligibility
There are four main types of Cobell scholarships, each tailored to different educational paths—but all share these core eligibility criteria:
Must be an enrolled member of a U.S. federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native Corporation.
Must be a full-time, degree-seeking student at an accredited, nonprofit institution.
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Scholarship Categories
Scholarship Type Application Window Requirements Reference Needed?
Undergraduate Dec 15 – Mar 31 High school grads or some college Yes
Graduate Dec 15 – Mar 31 Master’s, doctoral, professional Yes
Vocational June 1 – May 15 (rolling) Certificates, AAS, trade diplomas Yes
Summer Feb 15 – May 4 Any degree-seeking student No
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Big Future
Award Amounts (2023–24 Example)
Undergraduate (returning): up to $5,000–$10,000
Graduate/Professional: up to $12,500
Vocational: up to $7,500 per calendar year
mashpeewampanoageducation.org
Application Process (via OASIS)
Applications are submitted through the OASIS portal (Online Application & Scholarship Information System), which guides applicants through:
Profile — personal & demographic details
Eligibility — educational background
Application — category-specific forms
For the Summer Scholarship, applications require no references and prioritize students on track to graduate imminently
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After submission, selected finalists go through transcript and tribal enrollment verification. Offers and disbursements are processed on a rolling basis
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Community Feedback
One user in a scholarship forum shared:
“Cobell scholarship is one that sounds promising but I’ve been denied 3x in a row.”
This highlights the competitive nature of the program, underscoring the importance of submitting a strong, polished application.
Summary
Who it’s for: Enrolled members of U.S. federally recognized tribes or Alaska Native Corporations.
When to apply:
Undergraduate/Graduate: Dec 15 – Mar 31
Summer: Feb 15 – May 4
Vocational: June 1 – May 15 (rolling)
What you need: OASIS profile, educational info, and references (except for Summer).
Why apply: Up to $12,500 for graduate studies, solid opportunity with a strong application.
