​Scholarships

​Scholarships
 
Maggie MacKichan
 
 
Did you know that Sinte Gleska University has many scholarships that students can apply to receive?  Midas Gunhammer, Financial Aid Director and his staff Leslie Short Bull and Juanita Roubideaux are working throughout the year to find funding and manage grants for students who need financial help.
 
Before applying, the student must apply for assistance by filling out a Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA). After that, an application must be filled out for a PELL grant.  This will establish need, based on household size, income, and number of students in the household.  Once need is established, the scholarships may be applied for.  Midas, Juanita or Leslie can help each step of the way.
 
Here are some of the scholarships available to SGU students:
 
TOKATAKIYA (“In the Future”) Scholarship, funded through SGU
 
This is an exciting new scholarship offered by Sinte Gleska.
 
Anycurrent year graduating high school or GED student may receive this scholarship.  It provides100% free tuition for two semesters, providing the student carries a full time course load (minimum 12 hours, usually four classes), and passes them with at least a 2.0 grade point average. (C average). Once the first semester is completed satisfactorily, the student can get the second semester, also tuition-free. This is an incredible opportunity.
 
EVERYONE WHO APPLIES  FOR THIS SCHOLARSHIP and maintains grades, gets the funding! At a state university this would amount to thousands of dollars. Think of what you can save.
 
Bureau of Indian Affairs Higher Education Grant
 
The conditions for this scholarship are that the student be enrolled in the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, be in good standing academically, and that they enroll as a full time student in an four-year degree program, or an AA degree program that leads to a four-year degree.
 
Students receiving this scholarship also receive a monthly stipend for education related expenses. The amount of the stipend is determined by household size, and whether the household members are dependents.
 
Tribal College and University (TCU) Scholarship
 
TCU scholarships are a minimum of $500, and it is not necessary to be a tribal member of any tribe, only that you be a student at a tribal college. All who apply are considered, regardless of their GPA (grade averages.)
 
The Tribal College and University organization provides all American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) schools with money for scholarships, which is administered by the individual school’s financial aid office.  Sinte Gleska University receives about $70,000 per semester for this purpose. It is not necessary to be an enrolled member of any tribe to apply for and receive this scholarship. The following criteria must be met:

1. Need must be established by filling out a FAFSA form, and a PELL application.
2. Students must fill out an on-line TCU application.
3. Students must upload an appropriate photograph (respectable head shot, no selfies like you put on Facebook!)
4. An abstract, which is your tribal ID and enrollment number IF you have one.

 
 The SGU scholarship committee decides who will receive the funding.  The committee is made up of the financial aid department, administrators, and representatives from each academic department. Application stays open until the Drop/Add period ends each semester, usually in the third week of school.
 
Full Circle Scholarshipfunded by the American Indian College Fund 
 
This scholarship is applied for on-line. As with the others, it is need-based so application must by made for a PELL grant first to establish need. Application is made in May for the upcoming year, which begins that Fall.  Selection for this grant is made by AICF, using their own committee of educators and donors around the country. Full Circle scholarships start at $1,000 or more.  A representative from AICF is coming to SGU on April 15th, so mark your calendars.
 
If this seems confusing, the financial aid staff will lead you through the processes. It is not necessary you remember these facts, only that the scholarships are there, and Midas, Leslie and Juanita are willing and ready to walk you through application. Call Midas at (605) 856-8140, or stop by the Student Services Building on Antelope Drive, which is the new campus southeast of Antelope community. There you can  meet the staff and begin the next step of your educational journey. 
 
 

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