Ongwe'onwe/Indigenous Student Scholarship

The University at Buffalo In-State Tuition Scholarship/Grant, is designed to reduce out-of-state tuition to the cost of in-state tuition for any student that is a certified/enrolled citizen in any U.S. Federally recognized tribes and nations. The award is named in recognition of the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations Confederacy, and their land where UB is grateful to reside and operate.

Eligibility Criteria and Required Documentation

To be eligible for the University at Buffalo Ongwe’onwe/Indigenous Student Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria and provide required documentation:

  1. Be currently enrolled or newly admitted to the University at Buffalo.
  2. Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree granting program.
  3. Be in good academic standing with at least a 2.00 UB GPA.
  4. Be deemed and charged tuition as an out-of-state resident.
  5. Be one of the following:
    • A certified/enrolled citizen of a U.S. federally recognized nation or tribe.
    • A child or grandchild of an enrolled U.S. federally recognized NYS Haudenosaunee Nation/Six Nations (Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca Allegany, Seneca Cattaraugus, St. Regis Mohawk, Tuscarora, Tonawanda Band of Seneca) citizen, that resides in the USA, outside of NYS.
    • Have a Canadian Indian status for one of the Haudenosaunee nations (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, or Tuscarora).
  6. If eligible, file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  7. Provide documentation of tribal/nation enrollment, which may include any one of the following:
    • Canadian Indian Status Card.
    • Certificate or letter of tribal/nation enrollment on tribal letterhead.
    • Copy of student’s tribal/nation enrollment card.
    • Copy of parents’ or grandparents’ tribal enrollment certificate or card, along with birth certificate with name proving relationship of parent and/or grandparent.
  8. Maximum term award eligibility is based upon the term you started your academic career and is listed below (or until funds have been exhausted):
    • Undergraduate level – up to 10 terms to complete the first bachelor’s degree.
    • Master’s Level – up to 6 terms to complete the first master’s degree.
    • PhD Level – up to 12 terms to complete the first PhD.
Complete and submit a General Application along with the University at Buffalo Ongwe’onwe/Indigenous Student Scholarship Application at the UB Scholarship Portal.