Students & Applicants

Welcome to the part where your future gets real.

First-time applicant or returning scholar, this page has everything you need to move forward.

Step by step

The path forward starts here

Seven steps between you and your scholarship. We'll walk you through every one.

  1. Log In to OASIS

    Open OASIS once. Every Cobell application you ever submit begins already half-finished.

    One account, every application

  2. Create / Update your Profile

    Answer a short set of questions about your enrollment, tribe, and degree plans. Most applicants finish in ten minutes.

    Ten minutes, no essays yet

  3. Complete the Eligibility Form / Get Matched

    OASIS compares your profile against every active Cobell scholarship and surfaces the ones for which you qualify.

    Matched to every scholarship you qualify for

  4. Apply to Your Matches

    Complete the applications that fit you best. Essays, transcripts, and recommendations live in one place.

    Submit in one place

  5. Accept Your Offer

    Review your offer letter, confirm the terms, and accept the offer.

    Accept to begin the verification processes

  6. You Said Yes. Now What?

    Track disbursement from your dashboard. See exactly when each award posts and where it was sent.

    Paid directly to your institution

  7. Track Your Award

    Stay logged in to OASIS as the term progresses — your award amount can adjust with other financial aid, and second-term verification keeps the disbursement on track.

    Adjusted, verified, and paid in full

Let's Get You Started

Take it with you

Print it. Pin it. Check it off.

Timeline · PDF, 1 page, printable

Scholarship Deadlines at a Glance

All six scholarship cycles on one page with open and close dates. Pin it above your desk or stick it on the fridge.

Download

One-Sheet · PDF, 1 page, printable

Cobell Scholarships Overview

A single-page summary of all six scholarship types — who they're for, award amounts, and deadlines. Great for comparing your options at a glance.

Download

One-Sheet · PDF, 2 pages, printable

OASIS Quick-Start Guide

Step-by-step screenshots showing how to create your account, fill out the eligibility form, and submit your first application.

Download

Watch it once

See it before you do it.

A short walkthrough of the entire OASIS application process — from creating your account to submitting your application. Watch it once and you'll know exactly what to expect at every screen.

Watch the OASIS Walkthrough

Real situations, real answers

FAQ: Real situations, real answers

  • Am I eligible if I attend a tribal college or vocational program?

    Yes. Tribal colleges, community colleges, vocational programs, and technical schools all count. Cobell funds students across every type of accredited, nonprofit institution — not just four-year universities.

  • Is there an age limit?

    No. Whether you're 18 or 48, if you're an Enrolled member of a U.S. Federally-recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation pursuing higher education, you belong here.

  • Can I apply if I already receive other financial aid?

    Yes. Cobell awards work alongside other scholarships, grants, and financial aid. Receiving other funding doesn't disqualify you.

  • What if I'm not sure which tribe I belong to?

    If you're unsure, reach out to your family or your tribal nation's office. During the application, you'll select your tribe from a dropdown — no paperwork or verification documents are required until you are provided an offer of support.

  • How should I write my responses?

    Applications ask for your responses to a few important questions — think of them as short answers, not essays.

  • What if I don't have my transcripts yet?

    Request them now — even if the application window hasn't opened. Transcripts can take weeks to arrive, and you don't want that to be the reason you miss a deadline. Some schools offer electronic delivery, which is faster.

  • Do I have to complete the eligibility form?

    Yes — it's how the system matches you with scholarships. If you skip it or leave it half-done, you won't see your matches, and you can't apply to what you can't see.

  • Can a family member help me fill out the application?

    Absolutely. Your parent, guardian, or another trusted person can sit with you and help. The application needs to come from your OASIS account and reflect your own words, but getting help navigating the process is completely fine.

  • What if I transfer schools mid-year?

    Let us know through OASIS as soon as you know you're transferring. Your award may still apply: we will need to verify the financial aid for that school, and it depends on whether the new school is accredited and whether you remain enrolled in an eligible program. Don't assume you lose it. Call us and we'll figure it out together.

  • What if I applied last year and didn't get selected?

    Apply again. Seriously. Many scholars were selected on their second or third try. Your circumstances, your application, and the applicant pool all change year to year. A 'no' last cycle is not a 'no' forever.

  • What happens if I forget to accept my award?

    Getting offered a scholarship is step one. You still need to accept it through OASIS before the acceptance deadline, or the award goes to someone else. Keep an eye on the email you used for your OASIS account — that's where notifications go.

  • What happens if I drop a class after receiving an award?

    It depends on whether dropping the class changes your enrollment status. If you remain enrolled at or above the required level, your award typically isn't affected. If it does change your status, contact us right away — it's always better to ask than to guess.

Still need help?

Stuck? Just ask.

You don't get bonus points for figuring everything out alone. If something doesn't make sense — a question on the form, a document you can't find, a deadline you're not sure about — reach out. That's what we're here for.

Get in Touch