SMSC Endowed Scholarship
Outreach
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Endowed Scholarship was established in 2008 through a generous gift from the SMSC. The scholarship is utilized to recruit and retain talented American Indian students who are enrolled or are eligible for enrollment in a federally recognized tribe or are identified as American Indian by the Indian Education Act.
The SMSC created the scholarship to support incoming University of Minnesota freshmen and transfer students with demonstrated financial need. Scholarships may also be awarded to newly admitted graduate and professional students in specific disciplines.
Download the SMSC Application Form
Scholarship Awards
Scholarships are issued on the basis of need and the availability of funds. The amount of each scholarship will vary dependent on an individual’s demonstrated need and other awards received by the scholarship applicant.
Scholarship awards will not exceed $10,000 per academic year. Scholarship amounts will be divided evenly over the Fall and Spring semesters. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years or until graduation (whichever comes first) for undergraduates. For graduate and professional students, the length of funding is contingent upon the degree program and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
To maintain funding, undergraduate SMSC Scholars must be registered full-time and maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average. Graduate and professional SMSC Scholars must be registered full-time and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for renewal. In addition, merit awards of $500 are given each fall to undergraduate scholars who maintain a 3.0 or above grade point average.
Application Checklist
Incomplete applications will not be considered. A complete application packet includes the following items:
The completed SMSC application, and this cover sheet attached with your signature above.
Your essay, as described on Page 2 of the application.
A bulleted list of your community and cultural involvement, as described on Page 2 of the application.
Two sealed letters of recommendation (one from an Academic Reference, and one from a Community Representative/Elder), as described on Page 2 of the application.
Proof of your American Indian heritage (e.g. Tribal Enrollment/Registration, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood [CDIB]).
Indicate if you have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please note that submission of the FAFSA is required for consideration for the SMSC scholarship. Please
do not submit a copy of the FAFSA with this application. The FAFSA must be submitted by April 1
every year for application or renewal of the SMSC scholarship. The University of Minnesota's codes: Twin Cities: 003969; Duluth: 002388; Morris: 002389; Crookston: 004069
Contact
For more information about the SMSC scholarship program, please contact Rickey Hall, assistant vice president for equity and diversity, at hallrl@umn.edu.
Preference will be given to applications postmarked by March 1, 2013. Applications postmarked after August 1, 2013 will not be accepted. NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline. Due to a competitive pool of applicants, applications received after the priority deadline have a decreased chance of being awarded a financial award.
