Your next chapter starts here.

OASIS stands for Online Application and Scholarship Information System. It's the portal where you create your account, apply for scholarships, upload documents, and track your status. All Cobell scholarship applications go through OASIS — there is no paper option.

Give yourself time to gather any required documents, read about Elouise Cobell and the Settlement, and prepare your responses. Reach out to a recommender for their contact information.

Write YOUR story — not what you think reviewers want to hear. Authenticity is what sets you apart.

Ask a teacher, elder, or mentor to read your responses. Fresh perspective catches what you'll miss.

Make sure it's from the most recently completed academic term. High School transcripts must contain a graduation date or date diploma conferred.

Keep your username and password somewhere safe — you'll need them to check your status.

Apply to every opportunity with which OASIS has matched you. The Eligibility Form may match you with opportunities from both Cobell Scholarship and AISES. More applications, better odds. Contact AISES at scholarships@aises.org for more information about their scholarships.

No. IEI does not produce paper applications because a valid email address is required for verification and all communications. Applicants must have internet access to apply, track their status, and upload documents. If you have limited broadband access, we recommend starting early and using a Word document to draft your responses offline, then copying and pasting them into OASIS when you're ready. This limits the amount of internet time you'll need.

You will need to submit three things: 1) the Applicant Profile, 2) the Eligibility Form, and 3) a fully completed Scholarship Opportunity application, including reference contact information.

An unofficial transcript is required for Vocational applicants at the time of submission. Both the Summer Research Fellowship and the Elouise Cobell Dissertation Writing-Year Fellowship require official transcripts at the time of submission. All other opportunities do not require a transcript at the time of submission; however, unofficial transcripts are required if an offer is made.

It depends on the opportunity. Undergraduate, Graduate, and Fellowship applications require a separate reference. Summer and Vocational applications do not. If no reference question appears in your application, it doesn't apply to that opportunity. Each application has instructions clearly stating what's needed.

A few common reasons: all required questions must be answered (write N/A if a question doesn't apply to you), and in rare cases, older browsers or mobile devices may not be compatible with OASIS. Try a desktop computer or a different browser, and let IEI know if the issue persists (email scholarships@cobellscholar.org). Pro tip: use Word to write and edit your responses, then copy and paste them into OASIS to avoid timing out or losing work.

Log into the OASIS portal anytime to view your current status. If you have questions, email scholarships@cobellscholar.org. In most cases, staff will respond the same day but no later than 48 hours.

Your email address is your login credential and the address used for all communications. To change it, call the IEI office or email scholarships@cobellscholar.org. Important: if IEI sends communications to an old email address or your spam folder, you could miss scholarship opportunities. A login credential change does not change your password, but you can reset your password within OASIS.

We ask that you update your written reflections each year. You'll also need to re-enter the email address for your reference each year when applying. Previous written reflections and reference emails do not carry forward to a different opportunity or a new application cycle.

If you've been fully admitted to graduate school for the Spring Term or Winter Quarter, you can submit both an undergraduate and graduate application by the stated deadlines. First, complete the Undergraduate application and use the Additional Comments section to explain the situation. Then, email your graduate school acceptance letter to scholarships@cobellscholar.org to receive access to the graduate application. Note: an offer from one opportunity does not transfer to the other — they are separate applications.

No. Per federal FERPA policy, IEI cannot share information about any application with anyone other than the applicant. IEI does not use a parent permission form. All email addresses on the application must belong to the individual applicant — if a parent's email is found on an application, IEI may deem the applicant ineligible and/or rescind any scholarship offers.

You will tell your own story better than AI can. While AI tools like ChatGPT can help brainstorm ideas, outline, or proofread, the final responses must be your own work. Reviewers love reading responses that tell them something new and unique about the applicant in the applicant's authentic voice. The quality of the writing is less important than the personal story being shared.

Yes. The OASIS system may be closed for maintenance between December 1 and December 14 each year. During this period, new Applicant Profiles cannot be submitted. Plan accordingly and create your account before this window if possible.