Indigenous Education, Inc. opportunities are not entitlements, meaning they are highly competitive and the application is only accessible online via the “Apply Now” button found at www.cobellscholar.org (no paper applications are generated).  Therefore, we provide these tips for applicants.  These may apply to other scholarship providers application include:

 

  • Use an email address that is checked often by the student and that won’t change in the future.  Using a school assigned email address that expires after graduation may cause you to lose out on opportunities. Also, students need to apply for the scholarships themselves. When a parent applies for their child and uses their own email address, critical support service communications can be overlooked.  Remember, this is a time for young adults to transition into responsible independence.  As much as we appreciate parental support, we abide by FERPA laws and only discuss student files with the student directly.  We do not have a parental access process or form for such.

 

  • Read the questions. Use correct capitalization and punctuation when prompted to do so. Write draft responses in a Microsoft Word document to check spelling and grammar then paste the response to the appropriate space in the application – because reviewers assess for these things and you want to put your best self forward.

 

  • Don’t wait until the deadline. When the application opens on December 15, 2017, begin it so you have time to respond to questions in a comprehensive manner. You can save and return at later dates until the deadline of March 31, 2018.  Also if references are required, it gives your reference time to complete their portion by April 15, 2018.

 

  • The GENERAL APPLICATION is not an application for funding. It simply determines your qualifications for recommended opportunities. Upon submission of the General Application, you may be matched to opportunities with additional requirements.  Remember to apply early to give yourself time to complete these additional requirements.

 

  • If you are unsure of your response to any question, it’s suggested that you contact us via the chat function from our website, email us at scholarships@cobellscholar.org or call us directly at 505-313-0032.

 

  • When uploading transcripts, be sure they clearly show your name, the name of the institution and your cumulative GPA.

 

  • When inputting a GPA, use the most recent one you have.  If you are a HS Graduate, use that GPA.  Entering “0” will prompt staff to communicate with you to update it to a more correct number.  GPA requirements will be posted in mid-November.

 

  • IEI funds enrolled members of federally-recognized tribes. We do not fund descendants of enrolled members at this time.(*CPN members see footnote below).  In most cases, we work directly with the tribe to gather this information on behalf of the student which expedites the process for the applicant.

 

  • IEI funds students with a verified unmet need as determined through required submission of a FAFSA.  We cannot apply scholarship funds toward the Expected Family Contribution.  In most cases, we work directly with the school to gather this information on behalf of the student which expedites the process for the applicant.  Students must have a completed financial aid file at their institution of choice before the school will provide us information.  Students should work directly with their office of financial aid to be certain they have completed all the necessary requirements for the school to provide us any information.

 

  • IEI does not fund students attending for-profit institutions.  If you are unsure about your school, contact us and we will research it.

 

  • When an offer to become a “Finalist” is received, students need to be sure to read all communications and respond quickly.  For late res ponders, we maintain a “Priority Wait List” for potential funding throughout the year.

 

* Citizen Potawatomi Nation membership is determined by the ability of the person applying for citizenship to trace their tribal lineage to a member on the original tribal rolls. The tribe does not have a blood quantum degree to determine citizenship, so if you have a grandparent or great-grandparent and can show lineage with documentation (birth/death certificates) you are eligible for tribal citizenship. Once you have citizenship and your CPN issued tribal ID card, you are eligible to apply for this scholarship. This reference specifically concerns individuals who hold no official tribal citizenship but may be the grandchild or child of an official citizen.