The Cobell Scholarship

What is the Cobell Scholarship?

What is the Cobell scholarship? The Cobell Scholarship is an annual award that is not renewable and is given to a student who is: an enrolled member of a US Federally-recognized tribe; enrolled in or plans to enroll in full-time study, and seeking a degree while attending any nationally, regionally, and industry accredited non-profit public or private institution. This scholarship is available to any post-secondary (after high school) student.

After an extensive application and reference process, recipients of Cobell Scholarships are selected based on their merit. Awards for the Cobell Scholarship are doled out in accordance with the regulations set forth by the United States Federal Student Assistance as well as the regulations established by the particular colleges and universities.

The mission of the Cobell Scholars program is to provide high-achieving, community-involved Native American college students with the opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience. This will be accomplished by providing these students with access to an impactful scholarship experience that is designed to assist them in achieving success in higher education.

Who is eligible to apply for the Cobell Scholarship?

Who exactly is qualified to submit an application for the Cobell Scholarship? According to Indigenous Education, Inc., applicants for the Cobell Scholarship program are required to complete the following qualifying standards to be considered:

• Must be pursuing post-secondary education.
• Must be an enrolled member of a U.S. Federally-Recognized Tribe.
• Must be enrolled in full-time study.
• Must plan to attend or currently be attending any nationally, regionally, and industry-accredited nonprofit, public, or private institution.
• Must be pursuing a vocational certificate or diploma, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, or professional degree or certificate.

Although there are no grade point average requirements to apply for the Cobell Scholarship, the IEI does have guidelines that should be kept in mind when applying, including the following:

• A minimum grade point average of 3.5 for graduate and professional degrees.
• At least a 3.25 GPA for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate degrees.
• A grade point average of at least 2.0 for vocational degrees.

Even if your GPA is lower than what is recommended, you are still invited to submit an application; however, you will need to explain any mitigating factors and how you intend to enhance your academic performance in the future.

How to apply for the Cobell Scholarship?

How does one go about making an application for the Cobell Scholarship? The steps involved in applying for the Cobell Scholarship can be seen below.

• Begin by visiting the Cobell Scholarship website.
• Next, go to the OASIS Portal.
• Create a profile by filling out and uploading the applicant profile. The information contained in the profile can be modified or updated at any time; nevertheless, it is imperative that you constantly maintain your contact information and institution information current.
• Applicants must finish the eligibility form once the profile has been completed. OASIS will use the information provided in the eligibility form to match candidates to available scholarship opportunities based on the self-reported replies applicants provide in the eligibility form. Review all the responses entered on the eligibility form and then contact the organization that administers the scholarships to request adjustments if no application is available.
• Scroll down the website until you reach the bottom, then click the blue tab labeled “Scholarships & Applications.” Under the heading Scholarships & Applications, select “See” on the following page to see all the currently available possibilities. If a match is found, the candidate will be instructed to finish filling out and submitting the application for any available scholarship options. Responses to opportunity applications entered into OASIS can be amended until the date publicized as the closing date. During the selection process, every completed and submitted opportunity application will be considered and evaluated.
• If you are chosen for the Cobell Scholarship, you will receive an email beginning no earlier than May 1 each year with an opportunity to compete in the final round. This and any status updates are always available for viewing in OASIS.
• Applicants who make it to the final round are required to accept the offer, after which they will be instructed to finish a post-acceptance questionnaire to start the verification process. A link to the questionnaire will be provided in an email once the offer has been accepted. If the finalist turns down the offer, the system will not engage in any more communication with them.
• Candidates for the Cobell Scholars Program will get an official award notification once their finalist file’s post-acceptance component has been finished. This will allow them to be considered for the program.

Tips to help you win the Cobell Scholarship

Because you are now aware of all the specifics, you are undoubtedly curious about how to improve your chances of winning the Cobell Scholarship. When considering how to respond to the questions on the application for the scholarship, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

Focus on the details and make them personal.

When writing your responses to every question on the application for the Cobell Scholarship, the essential thing to remember is to be authentic in what you write. The individual evaluating your application is interested in learning more about who you are and how you can uniquely continue the work that Elouise Cobell started.

Tell a story

Most short answer questions for the Cobell Scholarship require describing an experience that allows you to tell a tale. Compared to a simple answer, telling a story gives the person evaluating your application the opportunity to become more acquainted with your voice, habits, and experiences. Telling a narrative about a time when you demonstrated your passion for something, instead of simply stating that you are a passionate person, is much more compelling and tangible than simply claiming that you are enthusiastic about anything.

Do as the instructions say

Because you could believe you have more to say than the allotted number of words allows, you might be tempted to wander from the topic or exceed the word limit. Nonetheless, it is essential to respond to the question posed in the short-answer section in the allotted amount of space (a maximum of 250 words unless otherwise specified), which is the word count limit.

The individuals who filled out this application thought of these questions because the subjects at hand (community, leadership, legacy, and so on) are significant to them. They are interested in learning the various ways in which you place value on those characteristics and display those values.

Get an early start

Because this is a lengthy application, it is essential to get started as soon as possible and give yourself as much time as possible so that you can answer each question honestly and carefully. In addition, while filling out an application online, it is always a good idea to leave yourself extra time to account for any potential technical difficulties.

Do not attempt to fit yourself into the reader’s preferences

You won’t be able to show the person assessing your application the real you if you try to write what you believe they will like to hear if they read your application. You do not need to engage in mental gymnastics to submit a successful application for this scholarship.

Refrain from trying to seem like the perfect applicant in your essay. The individuals responsible for evaluating candidates for the Cobell Scholarship are looking for candidates who will continue the legacy of Elouise Cobell in various ways. Be true to yourself!

Do some research on the topic

It is imperative that you have an understanding of Elouise Cobell, her legacy, her part in the Cobell v. Salazar case, and her influence on the world. Before writing your replies, you should conduct in-depth research on the issue.

Be sure to be as descriptive as possible.

In what specific way can Elouise Cobell’s leadership serve as an example for you? In what ways does it motivate you to act? Which particular instance of her leadership was most compelling to you? Study her life and think about what you’ve learned before you start writing.

Make your information more organized.

It is in your best interest to give yourself some time to get ready before you start the application process. Ensure you have all the necessary information, such as your extracurricular activities, grade point average, and transcript. Having all this information gathered in one location will simplify the application process.

Have your loved ones, including your friends and family, review your responses.

When you invest significant time and effort into something, it can be challenging to determine whether or not it accurately portrays who you are. It is wise to consult your loved ones and close friends regarding your responses, as this will help guarantee that your personality shines through in the content and that your voice is heard.

The Cobell Scholarship is an exceptional opportunity with a long history. It provides qualified applicants the chance to carry on the legacy of a woman who displayed courage, determination, leadership, and a genuine dedication to her community. Although the application may appear complicated at first glance, you can complete it! Take a deep breath and go cautiously.

You’ll be setting yourself up for success if you remember to do your research, keep organized, start early, and be yourself.

Having all the necessary information is important before choosing any course of action. AdmissionSight is always here to assist you with any questions or concerns. We have more than ten years of expertise assisting students in successfully navigating the challenging admissions process.

Consult with AdmissionSight and find out what we can do to help you get into the school of your choice by ensuring that you are sufficiently aware and well-prepared for the application process.