Waub Ajijaak Leadership Scholarship

ABOUT
The Waub Ajijaak Leadership Scholarship supports students of Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian descent as they pursue undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degrees at accredited institutions in the beautiful state of Michigan.

HONORING AND UPLIFTING LEADERSHIP
The Waub Ajijaak Leadership Scholarship is for those who have been dedicated to leadership, volunteerism, and community service. Culturally, leadership means different things based on your nation, traditional name, and clan or clans. We want to honor this as well as understand it is an ongoing process for many to reclaim their culture, knowledge of traditional lifeways, family stories, and community connections. The Waub Ajijaak Press Leadership Scholarship is for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students who are enrolled at tribal colleges, universities, or other accredited schools. You have to be attending or plan to attend a college in Michigan.

AWARD AMOUNT
Each student will be awarded $2,000 per academic school year ($1,000 per fall and spring semesters only).

APPLICATION CRITERIA
-Must be of Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian descent. You have to show proof of enrollment or descendant status when you submit your application.
-Must reside in Michigan as well as attend college/university in Michigan.
-Must be a high school senior or a student accepted into an accredited higher education institution at the time of application.
-Be enrolled or intend to enroll in one of the following types of programs: an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, medical, law, or other professional degree.
-Must be enrolled as a part-time or full-time student.
-A minimum GPA of 2.5 is recommended.
-Use scholarship funds during the academic school year (fall and spring semesters only).
-The award can be applied to tuition, fees, books, and/or supplies. The award can’t be applied to room and board.
-Applicants must fill out the scholarship application completely to be considered.
-This is a one-time award not renewable to past recipients.
-Financial needs will be considered.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
-Essay – See essay guidelines below.
-Confirmation of Native Identity – Please attach your Tribal ID or a letter from the enrollment department. We will also accept a parent’s Tribal ID accompanied by documentation verifying the parent-child relationship. Please note that there is no minimum blood quantum requirement for eligibility.
-Letter of Acceptance – Submit this from your college/university.
-Transcript – Recent official and unofficial academic transcripts are both acceptable.
-High School Diploma or GED – Attach your high school diploma or GED documentation if applicable.

ESSAY GUIDELINES
-The essay is a primary component of the application process that will help to determine the award. We want you to tell your story, demonstrate your writing skills, and explain how this scholarship opportunity will support your leadership development. Please make sure to include the following information.

OVERVIEW
-The essay must be 500 words maximum, double-spaced with 1” margins, and in 12 pt. Times New Roman font only. Please save the file as a PDF.
-It should include the following key components:
-Introduction – Share information regarding your tribal affiliation, home, family, community, and where you are from.
-Educational Goals & Academics – How have you achieved academic success? What are your current educational goals? Why did you choose your field of study?
-Career Goals & Plans – What are your career goals? How will the Waub Ajijaak Leadership Scholarship help you achieve your career goals?
-Cultural Connection – What does your heritage mean to you? What is your cultural connection like? What skills and knowledge will you gain from your education that you can use to support and uplift your community?
-Leadership & Community Service – What is your community involvement like? What does leadership mean to you based on your nation, community, name, and clan or clans? Also, if applicable, please write about all the facets of leadership from traditional, hereditary, and decolonization.
-Additional Involvement – Please share if you are involved in any student groups or clubs, such as a Native American student organization. Additionally, if applicable, please share if you are a student-athlete by describing your sport, goals, successes, lessons, etc. You are welcome to share if you have a full or part-time job, internship, or fellowship. How do you seek balance in everything that you are involved in?
-Unique Circumstances – Please share what you are comfortable writing in your application about adversity or obstacles you had to overcome to pursue an education. What is unique about you that will help us to understand you more fully? How do your unique circumstances propel you to achieve your goals and dreams?
-Financial Needs – What are your financial needs? How do you plan to fund your educational goals?