The American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES) helps financially needy students with close social and cultural ties to an American Indian community in the state of Washington. Students can use the scholarships at public colleges and many independent colleges in Washington. The program prioritizes upper division and graduate level students, however, all applicants receive award consideration.

Award amounts range from around $500 to $2,000. About 15 students are selected each year to receive the awards. Students may get AIES funding for up to five years, but they must reapply each year. 

Many past recipients have careers in law, medicine, education, business, and resource management. All have returned, or plan to return, to their tribal communities to work on behalf of Indian peoples within the state.

Recipients are selected using criteria based on academic merit and a commitment to serve the American Indian community in Washington.

Scholarship awards come from the interest earnings of an endowment established from funds appropriated by the Washington State Legislature in 1990, with matching contributions from private individuals, organizations, and tribes.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate financial need based on a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
• Meet Washington State residency requirements for financial aid.
• Intend to enroll full-time as an undergraduate or graduate student at a participating public or private college or university in Washington State beginning fall term of the application year.
• Intend to use their education to benefit the American Indian community in Washington State.
• Not pursue a degree in theology.
• Have not yet received a total of five years of this scholarship

• freshman
• sophomore
• junior
• senior
• graduate

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• Undocumented

Application forms and instructions are available at https://wsac.wa.gov/american-indian-endowed-scholarship.

1. Read the application and instruction sheet.

2. Compile and complete the required attachments.

3. Complete and sign the AIES application form.

4. Print and mail the application and required attachments to the WSAC address printed on the application form, postmarked by March.American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES) Program

Washington Student Achievement Council

PO Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430 (use PO Box for US Postal Service delivery)

917 Lakeridge Way, Olympia, WA 98502 (use street address for UPS or FedEx delivery)

Ann Voyles

Program Associate

aies@wsac.wa.gov

360.485.1311