Waub Ajijaak Leadership Scholarship

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria:
1. Must be of Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian descent
2. Must show proof of enrollment or descendant status (no minimum blood quantum requirement)
3. Must reside in Michigan
4. Must attend college/university in Michigan
5. Must be a high school senior OR student accepted into an accredited higher education institution at time of application
6. Must be enrolled (or intend to enroll) in associate's, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, medical, law, or other professional degree program
7. Must be enrolled as part-time or full-time student
8. Minimum GPA of 2.5 recommended
9. Award used during academic school year (fall and spring semesters only)

Eligible Use of Award:

Tuition

Fees

Books

Supplies

NOT eligible: Room and board

Required Application Materials:

1. Completed Scholarship Application Form - Must be completed in full to be considered

2. Essay (Primary evaluation component)
- Length: 500 words maximum
- Formatting: Double-spaced, 1" margins, 12 pt. Times New Roman font only
- Format: Save as PDF
- Required Components:
- Introduction: Tribal affiliation, home, family, community, where you are from
- Educational Goals & Academics: How have you achieved academic success? Current educational goals? Why did you choose your field of study?
- Career Goals & Plans: What are your career goals? How will this scholarship help you achieve them?
- Cultural Connection: What does your heritage mean to you? What is your cultural connection? What skills and knowledge will you gain that can support and uplift your community?
- Leadership & Community Service: Community involvement? What does leadership mean to you based on your nation, community, name, clan or clans? If applicable, discuss traditional, hereditary, and decolonization aspects of leadership
- Additional Involvement: Student groups/clubs, Native American student organizations? If applicable, student-athlete status (sport, goals, successes, lessons). Full or part-time job, internship, or fellowship? How do you seek balance in everything?
- Unique Circumstances: Adversity or obstacles overcome? What is unique about you? How do your unique circumstances propel you toward goals and dreams?
- Financial Needs: What are your financial needs? How do you plan to fund educational goals?

3. Confirmation of Native Identity - Choose one:
- Tribal ID
- Letter from tribal enrollment department
- Parent's Tribal ID with documentation verifying parent-child relationship
- No minimum blood quantum requirement

4. Letter of Acceptance - From college/university

5. Academic Transcript - Recent official or unofficial transcripts acceptable

6. High School Diploma or GED - Attach documentation if applicable

Application Timeline

• Application Opens: Monday, February 2, 2026
• Application Deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
• Review Period: Throughout May
• Award Notification: Second week of June
• Public Announcement: Early August via website, Facebook, and newsletter

Selection Criteria

• Personal history and background
• Academic history and future plans
• Community service and involvement
• Demonstrated leadership or leadership potential
• Estimate of financial costs and support
• Essay quality demonstrating writing skills and leadership development narrative

Award Distribution

• Award letters sent to student and college/university
• Award checks made payable to college/university
• Checks sent to financial aid office of student's institution