Parents, Guardians & Family
Your student has what it takes. Here's how you can back them up. This page breaks down how Cobell scholarships work, what your student needs to apply, and where you fit into the picture — whether that's helping gather documents, keeping track of deadlines, or just making sure they don't talk themselves out of it.
How you can help
The essentials for backing your student up — from before they apply to after they submit.
Sit with them, keep the energy up, and remind them they can do this. Just keep in mind that the application must be entirely their own — only your student can create and access their account, and all answers need to come from them. Your job is to cheer them on.
Each scholarship type has its own window. Put the dates on a shared calendar and set a reminder a week in advance.
OASIS (Online Application and Scholarship Information System) is the application portal. Know how to log in and save progress so you can troubleshoot together.
Common requirements include academic transcripts and proof of admission to an accredited program. These can take weeks to arrive, so start requesting them well before any deadline opens.
Eligibility is based on tribal affiliation and institution type. Awards may be disbursed based on financial need but cannot be determined without a completed application on file.
Real people review every application. Decisions arrive through OASIS. Often an applicant is placed on the waitlist and may be awarded later in the year. If they're not selected this cycle, they can and should try again.
Worth knowing
The scholarship process comes with its own vocabulary. Here are the key terms, explained in plain language.
The online portal where your student creates an account, fills out their eligibility form, and submits scholarship applications. The front door to the entire process.
A form inside OASIS that asks about tribal affiliation, school, and program. The system uses it to match your student with eligible scholarships.
A tribal nation with a formal government-to-government relationship with the U.S. Eligibility requires your student to be an Enrolled member of a U.S. Federally-recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation.
How scholarship money reaches your student. Awards are sent directly to the institution — not mailed as a personal check.
Confirmation that your student is attending an accredited program. It verifies they're actively in school so the award can be processed.
The window when applications for a specific scholarship are open. Each of the six Cobell scholarship types has its own window. Once it closes, deadlines are firm.
For the kitchen-table file
This is a quick-reference guide you can download, print out, and keep handy — so you're ready when your student needs a hand.
Questions families actually ask
Income, documents, eligibility, what happens after — here are the answers to what parents and guardians want to know most.
The application needs to come from your student's own OASIS account and reflect their own words. But you can absolutely sit with them, help them navigate, talk through questions, and make sure they don't miss anything. Think of yourself as the co-pilot, not the pilot.
No. Cobell scholarship eligibility is based on tribal membership and educational program — not family income. There's no income threshold, no tax forms to submit, and no means testing.
Tribal colleges are absolutely eligible — so are community colleges, vocational programs, and technical schools. Cobell scholarships aren't limited to four-year universities. If the institution is accredited and nonprofit, it counts.
It depends on the scholarship type, but common requirements include academic transcripts and proof of admission to an accredited program. Tribal affiliation is confirmed by selecting a tribe from a dropdown — no tribal paperwork needed. Some documents take weeks to arrive, so start gathering them early.
Awards are disbursed directly to the student's institution — the college, university, or program. The school applies it to tuition, fees, or other approved costs. Your student won't receive a personal check in the mail.
They should apply again. Many Cobell scholars were selected on their second or third try. The applicant pool changes every cycle, and so do the circumstances. A 'no' this time is not a 'no' forever.
Yes. Students can apply each cycle they're eligible. In fact, reapplying is encouraged — persistence matters, and previous applicants are not penalized.
OASIS is the online portal where all Cobell scholarship applications are submitted. Your student creates an account, fills out an eligibility form, gets matched with scholarships, and applies — all in one place. They can save their progress and come back before the deadline.
No. Whether your student is 18 or 48, if they're an Enrolled member of a U.S. Federally-recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation pursuing higher education, they're eligible.
Call the support line at 1-844-415-3520. There are real people on the other end who can walk you through any part of the process — from creating an OASIS account to understanding what a specific question is asking. They're there to help with exactly that.
Still need help?
If your student is stuck on something — or if you're trying to help but aren't sure what a question is asking — reach out. The support team can walk you through it together. No question is too small.
