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IAIA 2019–2020 Undergraduate Scholarship App (Incoming Spring Students Only)

Dec 20, 2019

2019 Scholarship Awards Luncheon

The mission of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is “To empower creativity and leadership in Native Arts and cultures through higher education, life-long learning, and outreach.”

IAIA was established in 1962 as a high school with an innovated approach to arts education. In 1984, IAIA gained accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer college degrees. IAIA currently serves over 689 students from various national and international communities. IAIA offers both two-year and four-year degrees in Cinematic Arts, Creative Writing, Indigenous Liberal Studies, Museum Studies, and Studio Arts. IAIA introduced its first Masters in Fine Arts program in Creative Writing in 2013.

Scholarship Requirements

Competitive Scholarships have varying criteria funded by external donors and require applicants to submit an essay for consideration. If selected, students generally only receive one IAIA Named or AICF-TCU Competitive Scholarship (excluding the AICF-Full Circle). Scholarships typically require a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher and current enrollment in a certificate or undergraduate degree-seeking program.

Essay TopicWhat challenges have you overcome to attend college—include challenges that may have come up this past year.
RubricDownload and view the 2019–2020 IAIA Scholarship Rubric. View a sample essay (2019_2020_iaia_janedoe.docx).
RequiredEssay must be between 500 (minimum) to 750-word (maximum) and must address the essay topic. Hint: Use the word count feature in Microsoft Word.
RequiredDo not put your name anywhere in the essay. This helps preserve the anonymity of your submission.
RequiredEssays must be submitted in a Microsoft Word doc format.
RequiredEssays must be submitted online by the deadline on Tues., Jan. 28, 2020, 8 am (MST). Essays submitted to IAIA staff or faculty will not be accepted.
RequiredStudents may only submit one essay. Submissions after your first essay will not be accepted or considered.
Preferred12pt font, Double-spaced, 1-inch margins

IAIA Students, please check your IAIA email for additional information from Financial Aid Director Scott Whitaker. For questions, please see Financial Aid Scholarship Advisor Leah Boss.

Scholarship Award Process and Timeline (Incoming Spring Students Only)

DateTimeProcess
Fri., Dec. 19Scholarship process open for 2019–2020—start application
Tues., Jan. 21First Day of Classes
TBATBAEssay Workshop (Learning Lab)
TBATBAWalk-In Essay and Application Support (Learning Lab)
TBATBAEssay Workshop (Student Union Building)
TBATBAEssay Workshop (Learning Lab)
TBATBAEssay Workshop (Student Union Building)
Tues., Jan. 288 amIAIA Scholarship Application and Essay Due
Tues., Feb. 4NoonAICF Profile, TCU Application, and FAFSA Due
Mon., Feb. 10Award recipients notified via email
Fri., May 1Scholarship process opens for 2020–2021 (all Undergraduate Students, due August 2020)

“Scholarships are beneficial for students who find it necessary to have some type of monetary assistance. Many students are not born privileged in a sense where they do have to worry about where money is coming from because not all can depend on their parents or family in general. Higher education comes with a price tag. Scholarships help me focus more on my classes than having the burden of whether or not I’m able to fund my education each semester.”
Caleigh Benally (Navajo)

AIHEC Southwest Region Representative

Deadline Jan. 28, 2020 (Incoming Spring Students Only)

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Scott Whitaker

Scott Whitaker

Financial Aid Director
Student Success Center
P (505) 424-5724
E scott.whitaker@iaia.edu

Leah Boss

Leah Boss

(Laguna, Hopi, and Akimel O’Odham)

Financial Aid and Scholarship Advisor
Student Success Center
P (505) 424-5737
E lboss@iaia.edu