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AI tools like ChatGPT are fine for brainstorming, outlining, or proofreading, but the final responses must be your own work. Reviewers want to hear your authentic voice and perspective. The quality of the writing matters less than the personal story you share. You'll tell your own story better than AI can.

There is no minimum GPA requirement. However, IEI considers these general guidelines to be competitive: 3.5 or higher for Graduate and Professional applicants, 3.25 or higher for Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate applicants, and 2.0 or higher for Vocational applicants. If your GPA falls below these benchmarks, you should still apply — but be prepared to explain your strengths in other areas. All applications are individually reviewed in a holistic process that looks well beyond GPA.

No. Neither Cobell Settlement Class membership nor descendancy from a class member is required, and neither guarantees selection. This information is collected for research purposes and may be used as a tiebreaker during Finalist selection if needed.

No. IEI does not make offers to descendants at this time. Applicants must be an Enrolled member of a U.S. Federally-recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation.

Most applicants must intend to enroll full-time (as determined by your institution), be degree-seeking, and making progress toward graduation. In some instances, part-time enrollment can be considered depending on the situation. There is a section in OASIS for Additional Comments where you can explain and clarify attendance other than full-time. These circumstances are reviewed on an individual basis from completed applications only — not by phone or email.

Without exception, Cobell Scholarship opportunities are only available to individuals attending public or private, nonprofit institutions that are nationally, regionally, or industry accredited. Eligible institutions appear in a dropdown menu in OASIS. If your school isn't listed, contact IEI to determine if it should be added or if it doesn't qualify. For-profit institutions are not eligible.

All eligible tribes are listed in a dropdown menu in the Applicant Profile in OASIS. This list is compiled from the US Congressional Record and verified each year. If your tribe is not listed, contact IEI.

Approximately 40% of submitted applications received an award in 2024–2025. Due to a high number of qualified applicants and defined limits on available funds, there is no guarantee that all eligible applicants will receive an offer. IEI intends to spend all available scholarship funds each year.

A Finalist is an applicant who has submitted a complete application and received a reviewer score high enough to advance to the next stage. This does not mean you've received an award. Further eligibility verification is required before an official scholarship offer is made. If selected, you'll receive an email offer beginning no earlier than May 1 each year.

Applications are reviewed by higher education professionals trained to read scholarship applications. These are Native American reviewers located around the country — in high schools, colleges, and nonprofit organizations — who work with students in higher education and college preparation. All reviewers hold a degree at least at the level they are reviewing. Reviewer identity and contact information are not disclosed.

Reviewers evaluate each complete application for overall academic strength, including academic rigor, reference responses (if required), and all other information in the application. They also assess language, grammar, and writing skills from the applicant's responses. The review is holistic — they look beyond GPA alone.

IEI makes offers based on the number of completed applications and the available funds provided by the Cobell Board of Trustees each year. Award amounts vary by degree level. After a review of the Financial Needs Analysis and Verification form (FNAV) provided by your institution, some Finalists may receive less than the original offer to stay within the annual cost-of-attendance and unmet need. Awards are divided and disbursed according to the number of terms at your institution.

Common reasons include: not meeting eligibility criteria as determined by the Eligibility Form, submitting a late or incomplete application, attending a for-profit institution, not receiving a review score high enough to be selected, applying for the wrong degree level, or only completing the Applicant Profile and Eligibility Form without submitting a full scholarship application. IEI does not send official denial letters — track your status in OASIS and contact IEI for details.

Several things can affect eligibility: using an invalid or non-personal email address (parents' emails will make you ineligible), attending a for-profit institution, a negative tribal enrollment verification, a name mismatch between your application and submitted documents, attending a different institution than the one listed in your profile, or not responding to emails and next steps within stated deadlines. Keep your profile current and communicate any changes to IEI before deadlines.

Yes. You may reapply in a future cycle as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

Yes. IEI maintains a waitlist, and applicants may be offered a scholarship if additional funding becomes available. You'll be notified if you're placed on a waitlist and can view this status in your OASIS account. There is no projected date for waitlist offers, but you could be notified at any time.

There is no formal appeals process. The Director of Operations will address all concerns and provide relevant information. If necessary, the appeal is elevated to the Chief Executive Officer, whose decisions are final. The IEI Board does not review appeals.