Education Northwest has had the honor of working with many Native educators, students, families, and community members throughout our history. We believe that strong Native communities are essential to the health and well-being of our region, and we remain committed to this effort.
The Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship is part of this commitment. This scholarship provides financial support, mentoring, and internships for Native students in the Northwest who are pursuing an advanced degree in education, education policy, leadership, technical assistance, research, or a closely related field. Awardees will receive $3,000 for the initial scholarship, with the possibility to continue the award ($2,000 per year for up to two years).
Our former colleague Steve Nelson dedicated his career to working with Tribes, communities, and schools to improve American Indian students’ success in academics and in life. This scholarship honors his work, providing the opportunity to create long-term partnerships so we can better meet the needs of Native communities.
Eligibility Requirements
Individuals must:
Reside in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington.
Be a member or descendent of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe.
Be accepted to or enrolled in a master's or doctoral program (by fall term) in an accredited institution of higher education, either in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington for on-campus programs or in an accredited online institution in the United States. For online programs, the degree area must be accredited according to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education accreditation database. Additionally, maintain a course load that allows for timely completion of the graduate degree (within three years for a master's degree).
Pursue a field of study in education, education policy, leadership, technical assistance, research, or a closely related field.
Have graduated from a four-year, regionally accredited institution of higher learning (before fall term).
Complete an essay that answers the questions:
Why am I pursuing an advanced degree in the field of education, education policy, leadership, technical assistance, research, or closely related field?
What are my post-graduation goals?
How have I contributed, and how will I contribute, to strengthening my own community and/or rural or Native communities as a whole?
Submit three letters of recommendation (excluding letters from immediate family members), with at least one from a community member who can attest to the candidate’s connection and commitment to the designated course of study and to serving rural and/or Native communities after attainment of the degree.
Begin school as a full- or part-time student no later than the fall semester immediately following the award.
Application Procedures
Applications for the Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship can be submitted by March 31. No applications will be considered after the deadline.
Recipients will be notified of conditional awards no later than June 30 for study beginning the following fall term. Final awards will be made directly to the institution of higher education once an awardee has provided proof of acceptance and/or registration in an institution that meets the scholarship program requirements.
The scholarship program will be administered at the sole discretion of Education Northwest. Award funds will be deposited in the financial aid office of the institution attended by the recipient.
Education Northwest reserves the right to change or discontinue the Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship Program at any time and without notice.
Procedure for Continuing Awards
To maintain eligibility, a scholarship recipient must meet the following standards:
Maintain good academic standing
Demonstrate substantial progress toward the fulfillment of the graduate degree requirements
Fulfill all program reporting requirements
Maintain enrollment status during the academic year
Apply each year to request continued scholarship support until graduation (not to exceed two years)
The deadline for submitting a continuation request is March 31. Recipients of a scholarship continuation will receive $2,000.
More Information
For more information, please email Gloria Cruz.
Please mention you found this job on AI Jobs. It helps us get more startups to hire on our site. Thanks and good luck!
