Scholarships

Education has always been central to the Muwekma Ohlone community. This page is for Muwekma Ohlone students, Ohlone students, students from other California tribes that are not federally recognized, and the wider California Indian community, from high school seniors to graduate students and adults returning to school.

Eligibility rules for Native scholarships vary a lot. Some require enrollment in a federally recognized tribe. Others accept state-recognized tribes, descendants, or specific documents. We have noted what each program says publicly. When in doubt, contact the program before you apply.

Start with financial aid for everyone

  • FAFSA: The federal application for grants, work-study, and loans. Many scholarships and state programs require it. Open to all eligible students.
  • California Dream Act Application: For eligible California students who cannot file a FAFSA. Open to eligible students.
  • California Student Aid Commission: California's Cal Grant and other state aid programs. Open to all eligible students.
  • California College Promise Grant: Waives enrollment fees at California community colleges for eligible California residents based on financial need. Open to all eligible students.

National Native scholarships

  • American Indian College Fund: Scholarships for Native college students. Its application FAQ says members of state or federally recognized tribes are eligible, and descendants may qualify through a tribally enrolled parent or grandparent. Federal or state recognition of the tribe (yours, or your parent's or grandparent's) required, as stated.
  • Native Forward Scholars Fund (formerly the American Indian Graduate Center): Scholarships and fellowships for Native students. Its FAQ says it funds members of federally and state-recognized tribes, as well as first- and second-generation descendants, and that each scholarship has its own tribal eligibility rules. Requirements vary by scholarship. Ask Native Forward how it treats your tribal affiliation.
  • Indian Health Service Scholarship Program: Scholarships for students in health fields, with a service commitment for some awards. The IHS eligibility page says the Preparatory and Pre-Graduate scholarships are open to members or descendants of federally recognized, state-recognized, or terminated tribes. The Health Professions Scholarship is open only to members of federally recognized tribes. Requirements differ by scholarship; the Health Professions Scholarship requires federal recognition.
  • AISES Scholarships: Scholarships for Native students in science, technology, engineering, and math. Tribal eligibility differs by scholarship: some require enrollment in a federally recognized tribe, and others also accept state-recognized tribes or descendants. Read each listing.
  • Cobell Scholarship: For full-time students pursuing a degree or credential. Applicants must be enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native Corporation. Federal recognition required.

California universities and colleges

  • UC Native American Opportunity Plan: Covers in-state systemwide tuition and student services fees at the University of California for California residents who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes. Federal recognition required. Students from tribes that are not federally recognized should still talk with their campus financial aid office and Native student center about other aid.
  • California Community Colleges: American Indian and Alaska Native Student Success: Information on financial aid, campus groups, foster youth services, and the Native American Student Support and Success Program (NASSSP). As of November 10, 2026, the listed NASSSP colleges do not include any Bay Area campuses. Support services; eligibility varies by campus.

Bay Area options

  • West Valley College (Saratoga): The college's scholarship page lists campus and outside scholarships with their deadlines. West Valley also offers a Native/Indigenous First Year Learning Community for new students. Check each scholarship's rules.
  • Santa Clara University, Ohlone and Muwekma Ohlone Scholarship Fund: Santa Clara University has described an Ohlone and Muwekma Ohlone Scholarship Fund that supports Ohlone and Muwekma Ohlone students at the university. We did not find public application details. Contact SCU's financial aid office to ask how students are selected.

Documents some programs ask for

Many Native scholarships ask for a tribal ID, an enrollment letter, or a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB), and descendants are often asked for birth certificates linking them to an enrolled relative. The BIA Pacific Regional Office's Division of Tribal Operations handles CDIB requests and verification of California Indian ancestry and the California Judgment Rolls. Each scholarship decides which documents it accepts.

Please read

This list is a starting point. Scholarship rules, amounts, and deadlines change every year. Please confirm eligibility directly with each program before you apply.

Listings were checked on November 10, 2026. Know a scholarship we should add? Please contact us.