WIGA Scholarship Program

The Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA) Scholarship Program provides scholarships to Native American and Alaska Native students pursuing opportunities in higher education.

Award Amount: Awards generally range from $1,500 to $3,000 per academic year. The WIGA Scholarship Committee has discretion in determining the amount of each award and the total number of recipients, depending on the availability of funds and the pool of applicants each year.

Program History: Since its inception, the WIGA Scholarship Program has awarded more than $1.1 million in scholarships. In the 2025-26 academic year alone, the program awarded more than $160,000 to 63 students.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be:

• Enrolled members of one of Washington's 29 federally recognized tribes, OR
• American Indian/Alaska Native students enrolled in a federally recognized tribe
• Attending or planning to attend a higher education institution in the state of Washington
• May be pursuing degrees at:
  • Community and technical colleges
  • Four-year colleges
  • Post-graduate and professional schools

Previous Recipients: Scholarship recipients from the previous year are eligible to re-apply under a reduced format if they:

• Have maintained a 2.5 GPA or higher
• Are continuing at their current level of study

Award Distribution

• Payment Method: Payments will be made either:
  • Directly to the student, OR
  • To the financial aid office of the institution the recipient is attending, in the name of the student
• Proof of Enrollment Required: All new scholarship recipients must provide proof of class enrollment before checks will be distributed

Contact Information

Rosina DePoe

• Phone: (360) 352-3248
• Email: deputy@washingtonindiangaming.org

Geographic Scope

• Washington state only - applicants must attend higher education institutions in Washington state
• Must be affiliated with one of Washington's 29 federally recognized tribes

Additional Resources

To learn more, view the WIGA Scholarship Program playlist on YouTube.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Important Note: In order for an application to be considered, it must be complete, including all required attachments. Please read all instructions carefully.

Application Saving: To save your application without submitting, click on the "save and continue later" button at the bottom of the form. If you do not click this button and press the back button, you will lose all the information you have entered.

Application Requirements for First-Time Applicants

1. Applicant Information:
   • Last name, first name, middle initial
   • Social Security number
   • Current address (or August 2026 address, if known)
   • Phone number and alternate phone
   • Email address
2. Tribal Information:
   • Tribal affiliation
   • Membership/Enrollment number
   • Proof of tribal enrollment (required):
   • Copy of tribal enrollment card, OR
   • Statement from Tribal Enrollment Officer
   • Max file size: 50 MB
3. Current Educational Plan:
   • Academic institution you will attend (or two most likely options if unsure)
   • Class level for next fall:
   • Associates - First year
   • Associates - Second year
   • Bachelors - Freshmen
   • Bachelors - Sophomore
   • Bachelors - Junior
   • Bachelors - Senior
   • Graduate
   • Postgraduate
   • College mailing address
   • Intended field of study
   • Date expected for program completion