BIE-Loan for Service
To be considered for an the AIGC Loan for Service, the applicant must:
- Be an enrolled member of a United States federally recognized American Indian tribe or Alaska Native group, or possess 1/4 degree federally-recognized Indian blood;
- Have a 3.0 GPA; and
- Be pursing a graduate or professional degree as a full time student at an accredited institution in the United States.
AIGC administers a grant from the Bureau of Indian Education to provide financial assistance in the form of loans to eligible American Indian and Alaska Natives seeking graduate and professional degrees.
The goal is to promote opportunities for careers with tribal governments, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education and Bureau of Indian Affairs funded organizations on and off reservations; or organizations and other agencies with significant American Indian populations are reviewed case by case. Loans are paid back at the rate of one year (12 months) of service for one year of funding.
Application consists of:
• A $15.00 one-time application fee
•Statement of Intent: 1,000 words (maximum). Your statement will be assessed on 1) grammar and content, 2) leadership, 3) community engagement and 4) level of commitment to the American Indian community; your letters of recommendation should address these areas.
•Two Letters of Recommendation from faculty and/or employer.
•Admission letter to the accredited U.S. institution you are attending, if available.
•Proof of full-time enrollment (class schedule), if available
•Current unofficial academic transcript.
•Attached Financial Need Form (FNF) from the institution you will attend; and
•Attached Tribal Eligibility Certificate (TEC) form.
Master's students can be funded for a maximum of two years, MFA students for three years, and PhD students for four years. MLA students should email AIGC contact (above) for eligibility questions).
This is a loan. If awarded you must begin your payback six months after you have graduated in a career with tribal governments, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Affairs funded organizations on and off reservations. Organizations and other agencies with significant American Indian populations are reviewed case by case. Fellows shall work 40 hours per week and/or fullâ€Âtime work week. Fellows will be required to repay loans on a 1â€Â1 basis (one year of service for each year of loan payment).