Best Grants for Minorities in Oklahoma

With a mission to expand diversity in athletic coaching, National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Oklahoma NCAA Division II member schools with multi-year support to create new assistant coaching positions. Eligible institutions committed to increasing ethnic minority and gender representation in any NCAA-sponsored sport may receive up to US $48,000 toward salary, wages, and benefits.

Oklahoma NCAA Division II conferences and institutions seeking to improve ethnic minority and women’s representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Grants support full-time positions with responsibilities such as strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

Oklahoma NCAA Division II schools and multisport conference offices can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association to create full-time, entry-level athletics administration internships for ethnic minorities and women. Awards of US $30,000 support intern salary plus US $3,000 for professional development over one academic year, advancing diversity in athletics leadership.

Oklahoma minority health and physical education professionals with long-term SHAPE America membership who advance scholarship, mentorship, and service for underserved populations can be honored through the E.B. Henderson Award. This national Society of Health and Physical Educators recognition highlights leaders increasing minority involvement in HPERD fields and may interest educators serving diverse communities.

Oklahoma Presbyterian undergraduates seeking their first associate or bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. college may be eligible for scholarships supporting full-time study, including minority students. Grants from Presbyterian Mission Agency help Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) members, including Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian American students, with up to US $6,000 in undergraduate financial aid for 2025–2026.

Focused on supporting minority students, Innovia Foundation invites Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color in Oklahoma to apply for the Diversity in Advertising Scholarship. Eligible students must live in Innovia’s 20-county service region and study marketing, advertising, design, or computer science at an accredited institution, with academic achievement and community involvement valued.

Nonprofit organizations with a 5+ year track record serving Black, Latina, and Native American women and girls can seek funding to recruit and retain them in college-level computing programs, including in Oklahoma. Reboot Representation Tech Coalition prioritizes multi-geo, research-backed initiatives leveraging existing infrastructure to expand higher education and computer science opportunities for underrepresented minorities.

Minority high school seniors and recent graduates pursuing postsecondary education can receive scholarship support for technical schools, HBCUs, or other accredited colleges through the John E. Thomasson Scholarship from The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond. Students of African American or other minority heritage may benefit, particularly those interested in Black American services and higher education pathways.

GED students and graduating high school seniors pursuing higher education, primarily students of color who have overcome obstacles and show commitment to others, may receive scholarship support, including those from Oklahoma. The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound’s Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship offers US $3,000, renewable for up to three additional undergraduate years with reapplication and demonstrated financial need.

Undergraduate engineering students from marginalized ethnic or gender groups in Oklahoma can apply for the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship, awarding up to US $20,000 for tuition and other direct educational costs. Eligible students study mechanical, electrical, renewable energy, architectural, or civil engineering at a 4-year U.S. university with a focus on climate justice.

Students of color pursuing higher education, including those from Oklahoma, can seek scholarship support for college costs such as tuition, fees, and room and board. With a mission to support students of color, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts provides up to US $3,000 for one academic year, with the option to reapply annually.

American Indian and Alaska Native students in STEM starting a PhD program can apply for Montana State University's LSAMP Bridge to Doctorate support, offering US $88,000 in stipends and education allowances. Eligible U.S. citizens who previously participated in an LSAMP program, including those from Oklahoma, may benefit from this minority-focused graduate opportunity.

Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, including those from Oklahoma, can apply for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Indian Motorcycle Academic Scholarship, awarding US $5,000 per year for academic expenses. Eligible applicants must be AISES members with a 3.0+ GPA and tribal, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Indigenous Canadian heritage.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Everett F. Chavez Scholarship

The PNM Everett F. Chavez Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the life and legacy of Everett F. Chavez. The purpose of the PNM Everett F. Chavez Memorial Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to eligible students from one of the nineteen Pueblo Nations of New Mexico who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in the field of engineering. This opportunity is a merit-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Part-Time Scholarship

The purpose of the PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Part-Time Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students from one of the nineteen Pueblo Nations of New Mexico who are pursuing a certificate, vocational trade, or degree.

This program will award six scholarships per academic year. This opportunity is a merit-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Scholarship

The purpose of the PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students from one of the nineteen Pueblo Nations of New Mexico who are pursuing a certificate, vocational trade, or degree.

This program will award 15 scholarships per academic year. This opportunity is a merit-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Ruth Muskrat Bronson Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Ruth Muskrat Bronson.

The purpose of the Ruth Muskrat Bronson Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible federally recognized Tribal members of Oklahoma pursuing graduate or professional degrees full-time in Nursing or a health-related field.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

PNM Pueblo Relief Scholarship

Native Forward Scholars Fund, in partnership with PNM, established the Pueblo Student Relief Scholarship to assist Pueblo students who are facing financial hardships and challenges by providing them with a one-time relief scholarship. The fund will be utilized to help support students in emergency situations that include, but is not limited to – food insecurity, emergency travel costs, emergency housing costs, emergency healthcare costs, educational technology or technology-related resources, childcare costs, or other educational expenses.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Scholarship

The purpose of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian tribal and Alaska Native graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in any field of study.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship

The purpose of the Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate (juniors and seniors) and graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution.

Undergraduate (juniors and seniors) students must be pursuing a degree in the gaming, tourism, financial, or hospitality industries. Graduate students must be pursuing a degree in business or a gaming/hospitality-related field. This includes banking, resort management, gaming operations, or management and administration (including accounting, finance, information technology, and human resources).

The maximum amount of an undergraduate award is $2,500 and the maximum amount of a graduate award is $5,000 per academic year. This opportunity is a need-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

NextEra Energy (NEE) Foundation Scholarship

The purpose of the NextEra Energy (NEE) Foundation scholarship, in partnership with NextEra Energy Foundation, is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited institution and pursuing degrees with a focus in environment, energy, cultural sustainability, or a major in a STEM or STEM-related discipline. Native American students pursuing degrees that prepare them for the renewable energy workforce are encouraged to apply. 

This program will award 16 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 per academic year. This opportunity is a need-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Native Forward Student Relief Funding

Native Forward Scholars Fund established the Student Relief Funding to assist Native students who are facing financial hardships and challenges by providing them with a one-time relief award. The fund will be utilized to help support students in emergency situations that includes, but is not limited to, food insecurity, emergency travel costs, emergency housing costs, educational technology or technology-related resources, or other educational expenses.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Lynne Ruth Lafin Elmore Sucher Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Lynn Ruth Lafin Elmore Sucher.

The purpose of the Lynn Ruth Lafin Elmore Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students attending full-time at an accredited institution pursuing mathematics, Medicine, or life sciences are eligible to apply.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students in the U.S. pursuing Indigenous languages, natural resources, land management, conservation, or cultural preservation degrees can receive need-based scholarships, including students from Oklahoma. With a mission to support Indigenous services, Native Forward Scholars Fund provides awards from $100 to $30,000 per year for eligible Tribal-affiliated students with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Degree-seeking Native American and Alaska Native students in Oklahoma facing financial hardship can apply for Native Forward Scholars Fund’s KuuKuupa In Memoriam Endowed Fund; awards $100 to $30,000 per academic year for emergency needs. Funding supports food, housing, utilities, educational technology, and other urgent costs for students at accredited U.S. institutions who document Tribal affiliation.

American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in literature, communication, journalism, or related fields can receive need-based tuition support for full-time study at accredited U.S. institutions. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund help eligible students, including Tribal descendants, with financial aid that may benefit Indigenous scholars from Oklahoma and beyond.

With a mission to support higher education access, Native Forward Scholars Fund provides Oklahoma Indigenous students with need-based scholarships for full-time graduate study at accredited U.S. institutions. American Indian and Alaska Native students, including eligible descendants who can document Tribal affiliation, may receive $100 to $30,000 per year through the Katharine Scallan Scholarship.