AISES Scholarships

Grades

Undergraduate and graduate students only (most scholarships require full-time enrollment at accredited four-year colleges or universities; high school students are NOT eligible for most AISES scholarships)

Age

No specific age requirements listed

Citizenship

Must be an enrolled citizen or descendant of an enrolled citizen of a federally-recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Village; or Native Hawaiian or descendant from Native Hawaiian; or Pacific Islander or descendant from Pacific Islander; or Indigenous person of Canada. Acceptable documentation includes enrollment documents, birth certificate showing descendancy, Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB), or Certificate of Degree of Alaska Native Blood. Note: AISES may not always have scholarships available for non-U.S. citizens.

Prerequisites

Minimum GPA of 3.0 for most scholarships (2.0-3.0 depending on specific scholarship); must be accepted into or enrolled in accredited college/university; for some scholarships, must be AISES member or involved with AISES; some scholarships target specific fields (engineering, computer science, vocational programs, etc.)

Steps

1. Create account on OASIS platform (Online Scholarship Application Information System) at aises.org/scholarships
2. Complete general application profile
3. Select specific scholarship(s) to apply for
4. Write scholarship essays addressing prompt questions (quality of essay and explanation of how scholarship benefits applicant is key)
5. Secure 2+ letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, or advisors
6. Submit application through OASIS before deadline
7. Application reviewed; recipients announced on rolling basis or by specific deadline

Materials Needed

• Valid tribal enrollment documentation or CDIB card
• Birth certificate showing descendancy (if applicable)
• High school or college transcripts
• Letters of recommendation (typically 2-3)
• Scholarship application essays
• Proof of enrollment or acceptance at accredited college/university
• GPA verification

Timeline

Applications open and close on rolling basis throughout year (specific deadlines vary by scholarship). Travel scholarships for 2026 AISES National Conference (Oct 15-17 in Portland, OR) are currently available. Recipients announced in late August/early September 2026 for travel scholarships. Timeline appears to be: applications open → applications close → letters of recommendation due → scholarships reviewed → awards announced on rolling basis. Students should check aises.org/scholarships regularly for current deadlines as they vary by scholarship type.

Cost

Free to apply; no application fees

What Judges Look For

• Quality of scholarship essay and writing clarity (authentic voice and personal story valued more than polished writing)
• Demonstrated passion for STEM field and clear explanation of career goals
• Why attending AISES National Conference will benefit applicant (for travel scholarships)
• Letters of recommendation quality and what recommenders say about applicant
• Student involvement with AISES or similar organizations
• Academic achievement/GPA (minimum requirements met)
• Community involvement and leadership experience
• Demonstrated commitment to increasing Indigenous representation in STEM
• How applicant will contribute to Indigenous STEM community
• For travel scholarships: preference given to first-time conference attendees

Scoring

Not explicitly detailed, but emphasis on holistic review: essays, recommendations, GPA, and AISES involvement are primary factors. When applications are equally competitive, first-time conference attendees receive preference (for travel scholarships).

Common Mistakes

• Using AI to write entire essay rather than just editing/proofreading—reviewers want authentic applicant voice
• Generic essays that could apply to any scholarship rather than specifically addressing why this particular scholarship and organization matter
• Not explaining clearly how scholarship will impact educational/career goals
• Weak or no letters of recommendation
• Missing tribal citizenship documentation or enrollment verification
• Not demonstrating any involvement with AISES community
• Failing to mention specific STEM field or vague about career direction
• Missing application deadlines
• Not tailoring essay to specific scholarship focus

Acceptance Rate

Not publicly disclosed; highly competitive given limited awards and large Indigenous student population

Applicants

Not publicly disclosed; estimated several hundred to thousands annually across all AISES scholarships

Winners / Selected

Varies by scholarship type: Travel scholarships (multiple recipients, exact number not specified); ARDC scholarships (multiple recipients); A.T. Anderson scholarships (multiple recipients); Polaris Foundation scholarships (multiple recipients); field-specific awards (varies). Total number of AISES scholarships awarded appears to be in dozens annually across multiple programs.

• Start by confirming tribal citizenship/enrollment documentation is ready—this is a non-negotiable requirement
• Choose scholarships that align with your specific STEM field and career goals; don't apply to everything indiscriminately
• Get involved with AISES (join local chapter if available) before applying—involvement is weighted heavily in selection
• Write authentic essays in your own voice that tell your personal story; explain why STEM matters to you and why you want to contribute to Indigenous STEM community
• Use AI only for editing and proofreading, never for idea generation or initial writing—reviewers explicitly want to hear your authentic voice and perspective
• Secure strong letters of recommendation from people who know you well and can speak specifically to your STEM capabilities and character
• For travel scholarships, emphasize what you hope to learn at the conference, which sessions interest you, and how networking will advance your goals
• Apply early; applications are reviewed on rolling basis so earlier applications may have advantage
• Address the specific prompt questions directly; don't give generic scholarship responses
• Highlight any STEM projects, research, internships, or competitions you've participated in
• If applying for field-specific scholarships (engineering, tech, etc.), make clear your commitment to that field
• Mention how you plan to support other Indigenous students in STEM or give back to your community
• Proofread carefully for grammar and spelling errors
• Keep track of multiple deadlines if applying to several scholarships
• Follow AISES Code of Conduct if you receive award; failure to attend events or violate code results in forfeiture

How to Prepare

• 1-2 months before deadline: Gather tribal enrollment/citizenship documentation and ensure it's organized
• 2-3 months before: Start researching which AISES scholarships match your profile and field of study
• 2 months before: Reach out to AISES local chapters to get involved and understand community better
• 6-8 weeks before: Identify 2-3 strong recommenders (teachers, mentors, research advisors) and ask if they can write letters by deadline
• 6-8 weeks before: Begin brainstorming essay topics—what is your personal connection to Indigenous identity? Why STEM? What are your specific goals?
• 4-6 weeks before: Write first draft of essays; focus on authentic voice and personal story rather than polished writing
• 3-4 weeks before: Have recommenders submit letters; follow up if needed
• 2-3 weeks before: Revise essays based on feedback; use AI for proofreading/editing only
• 1-2 weeks before: Final proofread and verification of all materials
• Before deadline: Submit application through OASIS platform; save confirmation

Resources

• Official AISES website: aises.org/scholarships and aises.org/student-support/
• AISES College and Career Guide (available on student support page) - written for Native students by Indigenous STEM graduates and professionals
• OASIS Platform tutorial videos and documentation
• Cobell Scholarship resources and OASIS guides: cobellscholar.org
• AISES local chapter mentors and advisors
• General STEM scholarship essay guides from thecollegemonk.com and stempowerup.com
• Reddit r/ApplyingToCollege for general scholarship writing tips
• College essay resources from College Essay Guy
• Individual foundation websites for field-specific scholarships (ARDC, Polaris Foundation, FanDuel, Stellantis/Mopar, RISE)

Time Needed

Minimum 4-6 weeks to prepare strong application; ideally 8-12 weeks if getting involved with AISES first. Essay writing: 2-3 weeks of drafting and revision. Recommendation letter coordination: 2-3 weeks. Overall: plan to start 3 months before deadline for best results.

Successful AISES scholarship applicants typically have: GPA of 3.0 or higher (often 3.5+); demonstrated involvement with AISES or Indigenous communities; clear STEM career goals aligned with specific scholarship focus; strong letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors; authentic, compelling essays explaining personal connection to Indigenous identity and STEM; participation in STEM programs, research, internships, or competitions; leadership experience or community involvement; demonstrated commitment to increasing representation of Indigenous peoples in STEM. First-time conference attendees have advantage for travel scholarships. Mix of traditional and non-traditional students (including those returning to education later in life) are represented.

AISES scholarships carry moderate to strong prestige in college admissions and professional STEM circles, particularly among selective institutions committed to diversity in STEM. Admissions officers view these scholarships positively as evidence of: (1) Indigenous student pursuing STEM despite systemic barriers, (2) merit-based recognition, (3) community involvement and leadership, (4) commitment to increasing representation. However, note: AISES scholarships are primarily for college students, so high school students cannot currently apply directly to AISES scholarships. High school students should seek alternative Indigenous STEM scholarships. For college students, AISES scholarships demonstrate serious STEM commitment and community engagement, factors that strengthen graduate school applications or job prospects in STEM fields. Receiving AISES scholarship signals to employers and graduate programs that applicant has been validated by prestigious Indigenous STEM organization and has contributed to diversity goals. Travel to AISES National Conference (if funded) provides networking advantage with STEM professionals and researchers.

• Congressional App Challenge — Tier 3, competition
• ARML (American Regions Mathematics League) — Tier 3, competition
• AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) — Tier 3, competition
• National Science Bowl — Tier 3, competition
• Science Olympiad — Tier 3, competition