TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee Nation Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2024-25 academic year. The deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2024.
The nonprofit organization awarded more than $428,000 to 73 high school graduates and 40 current university students last year, the most in its history.
“Last year we once again reached record-breaking support for Cherokee Nation citizens pursuing higher education. The foundation is achieving levels of growth year after year, which wouldn’t be possible without the support of so many,” said Janice Randall, executive director of CNF. “These scholarships continue to be a way of connecting rising Cherokee students to opportunities that will help them achieve their academic goals and build a successful foundation for their future.”
Several new scholarship opportunities were established this year, including the following:
Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Scholarship – Made possible through the Cherokee Nation Public Health and Wellness Fund Act, this scholarship opportunity is open to Cherokee Nation citizens with no residency requirements. Applicant must be pursuing a degree in a behavioral health field or be a doctoral candidate enrolled in an accredited clinical psychology program and maintain a 3.0 GPA. Recipients must be agreeable to a period of employment with Cherokee Nation upon graduation and successful certification.
Clarkson Family Scholarship – Applicant must be attending a college or university in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont). This one-year scholarship requires that the applicant be a full-time student or graduating senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Cherokee Phoenix Continuing the Legacy Scholarship – Applicant must have and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Applicant must also complete a 10-week paid internship with the Cherokee Phoenix the summer after receiving the scholarship.
Once students create an online profile, they have instant access to a one-stop shop for all CNF scholarships. The system also provides students with notifications about upcoming scholarship opportunities and deadlines. All applications are evaluated based on academic performance as well as community and cultural involvement. Students are eligible to receive CNF scholarships in addition to opportunities provided through the Cherokee Nation College Resource Center and other organizations.
The deadline to apply for 2024-25 CNF scholarships is Jan. 31. Scholarship awards are announced in late spring. For a full list of available scholarship opportunities or to apply, please visit www.cherokeenationfoundation.org/scholarships.