Scholarships Through the Tribe
Arthur S. Bensell Memorial Scholarship
Application due date: June 30th. Please note that the deadline is 11:59pm PST (Pacific Standard Time).
Arthur S. Bensell was an educator, civic leader, Tribal Council member and Tribal Chairman. He spent many years in service to his community and Tribe as Mayor of the City of Siletz and tribal leader.
Art attended Ohio State University and graduated from Heidelberg College in 1934. During his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, he served as a teacher, principal and reservation principal in Minnesota, Alaska and North Dakota. Upon returning to Siletz, Art became involved in tribal business affairs and served many years on the Tribe’s Education Committee and always strived for better educational opportunities for Tribal members.
A memorial scholarship fund was established through the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians to honor and award Tribal members in education. The $1000 scholarship is administered by the Tribal Education Committee and strengthened by various fund raising activities throughout the year.
Pepsi – Craig Whitehead Scholarship
Application due date: June 30th. Please note that the deadline is 11:59pm PST (Pacific Standard Time).
Pepsi, Inc. donates scholarship funds to the Siletz Tribe and has asked that this be the Pepsi-Craig Whitehead Scholarship in honor of Craig Whitehead, Tribal member and Pow-Wow Coordinator at the time of his death in 2004.
Craig was also the Tribal Whip Man for Pow-Wows, coordinated a dance troupe that visited schools and was the Peace Keeper for the Citizen’s Advisory Board (CAB). He was a dear friend and loved by all who knew him.
This scholarship is open to any field of study.
Siletz Scholarship
Application due date: June 30th. Please note that the deadline is 11:59pm PST (Pacific Standard Time).
This scholarship is open to any field of study.
Cathern Tufts Memorial Scholarship
Application due date: June 30th. Please note that the deadline is 11:59pm PST (Pacific Standard Time).
Cathern Tufts, affectionately known as “Cat” in the offices of the CTSI administrative offices and Tribal elder woodcuts, was the Tribal Attorney for fourteen and a half years until she passed in 2018 following a short illness. She was a Siletz Tribal member who graduated from Arizona State University School of Law. She served an internship in Washington D.C. prior to going to work as an attorney. Her parents and friends wished to honor her life and achievements through this memorial scholarship. This scholarship is for students in pre-law, law, or in a natural resource field.
Outside Scholarships
Morris K. Udall Foundation Scholarships
Application due date: Please check scholarship website.
The Scholarship Program
The Udall Foundation Scholarship awards fifty-five $7,000 merit-based scholarships for college sophomores and juniors seeking a career in tribal health, tribal public policy or the environment. Scholarship recipients participate in a five-day orientation in Tucson, Az, to learn more about tribal and environmental issues. Applications must be submitted through a Udall Faculty Representative at the student’s college or university. More information about Faculty Representative can be found on the Udall website.
We encourage you to visit the website at http://udall.gov/ to learn more about their programs.
Oregon Promise Grant
To learn when your deadline is to apply for the grant/FAFSA and start Community College, visit this website to Find Your Deadline.
This grant helps cover tuition for students graduating high school in Oregon with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. To learn more, view this document or visit the Oregon Student Aid website for more information.
Oregon Tribal Student Grant
The Oregon Tribal Student Grant program was established to provide grants to eligible Oregon tribal students to offset the cost of attendance for attending eligible Oregon colleges and universities. Current continuing and new students are encouraged to apply for this grant for the 2023-2024 academic year.
You can learn more here on the Oregon Student Aid website and get an application.
Full Circle Scholarship
For American Indian and Alaskan Native students pursuing under-graduate and graduate degrees from Tribal colleges, non-profit and accredited schools. Applications are accepted January 1st through May 31st.
NCCE Brochure
NWIHA – Youth Scholarship Program
Application due date – March 31st (postmarked)