Chief Manuelito Scholarship – Grants and scholarships can be considered as the Holy Grail for education. As you know, getting one means that you gets additional money to fund your education, and unlike loan, you are free from the obligation to repay it.
Besides the commonly known scholarship and grant opportunities such as Pell Grant, there are actually other opportunities, available for a small group of people. One of the best instances of this is the Chief Manuelito Scholarship program, administered by the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance (ONNSFA).
About Chief Manelito Scholarship
In 1980, the Navajo Nation started the Chief Manuelito Scholarship program to honor top-performing high school graduates. This scholarship is named after Chief Manuelito, a respected leader born in 1818 who urged the Navajo people to pursue education while preserving their traditions and culture.
The scholarship represents the great goal of Chief Manuelito, one of the great leaders of the Navajo people more than 150 years ago. It is hoped that through this scholarship the Navajo people will be able to go through college education and become the pillars of the society.
This excellent program was started more than 35 years ago, available for Navajo bright high school graduates. Undergraduate students are also eligible, with certain criteria. The scholarship is available annually, and those who have received the award may apply again the following year.
Students who meet the scholarship’s requirements can receive $7,000 each academic year. This money helps cover the costs of going to college. To keep the scholarship, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and take at least 12 college-level credits each semester.
Chief Manuelito Scholarship Requirements
Here are more about the requirements of Chief Manuelito Scholarship:
Qualification for High School Students
The scholarship qualification is based on two scores, which are the GPA and the ACT score. For your information, students who only have SAT scores will have their scores converted to ACT score. In all cases, students whose GPA score is less than 3.0 OR the ACT score is less than 21 is automatically becomes ineligible for the scholarship opportunities.
Moreover, the association puts an interesting chart that is used to determine the applicant’s eligibility that combines the score of GPA and ACT. Those who are eligible must have either:
- GPA Score of 3.0 and ACT Score of 29+
- GPA Score of 3.1 and ACT Score of 28+
- GPA Score of 3.2 and ACT Score of 27+
- And so on (with the maximum GPA score of 3.9 and minimum ACT score of 21+)
In addition to that, the student has to complete the Navajo Government and also Navajo Language courses before they graduate.
Qualification for Undergraduate Students
Meanwhile, undergraduate students who are planning to apply should apply as full-time students. In addition to that, that student must have completed at least 24 credit hours and at least have a cumulative GPA score of 3.0.
To apply for the scholarship, the student should contact their school/college’s financial aid office. They should have good information on how to apply for the Chief Manuelito Scholarship.
PRO TIPS: There are several things you may want to consider when you are searching for a scholarship to pay for your undergraduate degree. First is that they all base their judgment on your high school GPA, so work hard to keep it on a good level. The same thing goes for undergraduate students looking for scholarship. We strongly advise that you focus on your study during the first and second semester because many scholarship programs consider the GPA you obtained during those times as their consideration.
Update 2024!
We have gathered some information about Chief Manuelito Scholarship for this year, 2024 as below:
Eligibility Requirements for High School Graduates
To be eligible for the Chief Manuelito Scholarship, high school graduates must meet several criteria:
- Admission to a Post-Secondary Institution: Students need to be admitted to a college or university. They must have a minimum ACT score or an equivalent SAT score, combined with a certain cumulative grade point average (GPA).
- Completion of Required Courses: Before graduating from high school, students must complete courses in Navajo Language (at least 1 high school credit or 1+ college credit) and Navajo Government (0.5 high school credit or 1+ college credit).
- Online Course Options: If students do not have access to Navajo Language or Navajo Government classes in their high schools, they can take these courses online. However, the fees for these online courses are the responsibility of the student, and the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance (ONNSFA) will not cover these costs.
- Navajo Language Requirement: Students can fulfill the Navajo Language requirement by scoring 85 percent or better on the Navajo Language Renaissance (NLR) exam. More information can be found at www.NavajoLRExam.org.
- American Academy Courses: To meet the Navajo Government and/or Language requirement, students can also complete coursework from the American Academy. Additional details are available at http://www.theamericanacademy.com.
By fulfilling these requirements, students can qualify for the Chief Manuelito Scholarship, helping them pursue their higher education goals.
Eligibility Requirements for Full-Time Undergraduates: The 24/3 Rule
Full-time undergraduate students can also qualify for the Chief Manuelito Scholarship by meeting these criteria:
- Credit Hours: Students must complete 24 semester college-level credit hours. If they are in a trimester or quarter system, the equivalent number of credit hours is required.
- Grade Point Average: Students need to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Eligible Programs: The scholarship is only available for college-level courses. Students pursuing an Associate of Applied Science, Bachelors of Applied Science, or a Certificate program are not eligible for this scholarship.
By meeting these requirements, full-time undergraduates can access financial support to help cover their educational expenses.
It’s important for students applying for the Chief Manuelito Scholarship to follow strict policies regarding deadlines and document submission. After each academic term, submitting transcripts is mandatory to maintain eligibility, as these transcripts are crucial for reviewing academic progress.
Additionally, applicants must remember to re-apply to the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance (ONNSFA) annually. Unlike some scholarships, the Chief Manuelito Scholarship does not automatically renew, making it essential for students to stay organized and proactive in their application process each academic year.
Summary
Last but not least, you should still look for other scholarship and grant opportunities besides the Chief Manuelito scholarship program. Believe me, there are many opportunities out there that can help you get your undergraduate degree for a much affordable price!
References:
- 83 students earn Chief Manuelito scholarships – http://navajotimes.com/education/2012/0812/080212man.php
- Image: onnsfa.org
- (https://onnsfa.org/chief-manuelito
