UB Ongwe'onwe / Indigenous Student Scholarship

The University at Buffalo Ongwe’onwe / Indigenous Student Scholarship is designed to reduce out-of-state tuition to the costs of in-state tuition for any student that is a certified/enrolled citizen in any US Federally recognized tribes and nations. The scholarship is named in recognition of the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations Confederacy, and their land where UB is grateful to reside and operate.

The application is open from July through June 1st every aid year.

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must meet the following criteria and provide the required documentation:

1. Must be currently enrolled or newly admitted to the University at Buffalo.
2. Must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree granting program
3. Must be in good academic standing with at least a 2.00 UB GPA
4. Must be deemed and charged tuition as an out-of-state resident
5. Must be one of the following:.

  • a certified/enrolled citizen of a US federally recognized nation or tribe
  • a child or grandchild of an enrolled US federally recognized NYS Six Nations / Haudenosaunee Nation (Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca Allegany, Seneca Cattaraugus, St. Regis Mohawk, Tuscarora, Tonawanda Band of Seneca) citizen, that resides in the USA, outside of NYS
  • have a Canadian Indian status for one of the Haudenosaunee nations (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, or Tuscarora)

6. If eligible, must complete the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA)
7. Must provide documentation of tribal/nation enrollment which may include any of the following:

  • Canadian Indian Status Card
  • Certificate or letter of tribal / nation enrollment on tribal letterhead
  • Copy of student’s tribal / nation enrollment card
  • Copy of parent’s or grandparent’s tribal enrollment certificate or card, along with birth certificate with name proving relationship of parent and / or grandparent

Maximum term awarding eligibility is based upon the term you started your academic career and is listed below (or until funds have been exhausted):

Undergraduate level – up to 10 terms to complete the first bachelor’s degree
Master’s Level – up to 6 terms to complete the first master’s degree
PHD Level – up to 12 terms to complete the first PhD

Award
Difference Between In-State and Out-of-State Tuition
Scopes
Financial Aid Office, Financial Need
Deadline
06/01/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. Are you certified / enrolled in the Haudenosaunee / Six Nations Tribe (US) or the First Nations Citizens (Canada)?
  2. Upload proof of your tribal / nation enrollment.