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Tribal Aid

As a Native Wildcat, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships from your tribe, tribal education department, or other tribal scholarship organizations. In addition, you may also be eligible to receive other kinds of financial aid, like grants, Federal Work Study, or student loans.

Arizona Native Scholars Grant

The Arizona Native Scholars Grant (ANS) is an institutional grant program that ensures tuition, fees, and college fees are fully covered for Native, Arizona Resident, Undergraduate students. ANS will fill in the difference between a student’s tuition, fees, and college fees and all other gift aid the student receives (Pell Grant, merit scholarships, etc.). 

Learn more

Financial Needs Analysis (FNA) Process

The FNA, or Financial Needs Analysis form, is a key part of your tribal scholarship application and must be completed each semester or year, depending on your tribe/tribal organization. The form contains information on your Arizona cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room/board, etc.) and the resources (financial aid, based on your FAFSA form) you are receiving for the corresponding academic year or semester.

Your tribe or nation will use the FNA to determine your eligibility for their scholarship and/or grant funding. The FNA is usually included in your tribe's scholarship application. Generally, you must first complete your personal information and sign the FNA form, allowing our office to submit your information.

Students Completing Their FNA

To complete your FNA, we will need you to review and complete the following items.

  1. Submit Your FAFSA

    Most tribes/tribal organizations require a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to be submitted to the University of Arizona. Completing the FAFSA unlocks access to federal financial aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant, student and parent PLUS loans, Federal Work-Study, and even some scholarship programs. You will need to file a FAFSA form every year you plan to be a student. The University of Arizona's school code is: 001083.
  2. Obtain Your FNA from the Tribal Donor

    Our office does not provide blank FNA forms to students. Typically, FNA forms are included in the scholarship application provided by the tribal donor and need to be submitted to our office by the student. Alternatively,  some FNAs may be sent directly to our office by the Tribal Donor. We recommend you first connect with your Tribal Donor and follow the instructions provided by them.
  3. Submit Your FNA to OSFA

    Once you have obtained the FNA form and filled out the top Student Section (including a signed signature, if applicable), you may submit your FNA form through our Forms webpage.

    If your FNA requires a Financial Aid Counselor's contact information, please use our Tribal Aid Liaison:

    Gianna Franco, Tribal Aid Liaison
    Phone: 520-621-1858
    Email: OSFA-TribalAid@arizona.edu

    • We recommend submitting your FNA form at least 4 weeks prior to the deadline so there is enough time to complete any open requirements.
    • NOTE: FNAs are processed in priority order based on tribal deadlines, and our average processing timeframe can take up to 3-4 weeks, assuming all information is available to complete the FNA. You will receive a confirmation via your university email once your FNA has been submitted to the tribal donor.
  4. Monitor Your To Do List and University Email

    You will be notified via your university email if additional information is required to complete your FNA form. 

    Open tasks that require action will be listed in the To Do List and Holds sections of your UAccess Student Center. Act on all your pending To Do List items and Holds immediately, as they may delay the processing of your FNA form. 

    Common Notices or To Do List items that require student action include:

    • FAFSA form not filed for the intended year. You must have a current FAFSA form on file to qualify.
    • Federal Verification confirms the self-reported information on your FAFSA form based on the supporting documents you provide.
    • FAFSA Information Release not complete. This allows our office to share your FAFSA information with outside organizations, like your tribal education office.
  5. Enroll

    You need to be enrolled in classes at the University of Arizona before your FNA form can be completed. This ensures your FNA form accurately reflects the amount of financial aid received. 

    NOTE: Financial aid is automatically offered based on the assumption that you will be enrolled full-time (in at least 12 units as an undergraduate student or 9 units as a graduate student). If you are not enrolled full-time, your aid will be adjusted.

    •  New First-Year Admits: You will enroll in classes when you attend orientation before your first semester. We recommend you sign up for Orientation as soon as possible through your Next Steps Center.
  6. Review Your Scholarship Application

    Before you submit your scholarship application, we recommend you review it to ensure all required documentation is submitted to the Tribal Donor by the intended deadline. 

    • Your application may require: a copy of your class schedule, unofficial or official transcripts, a copy of your Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB), Degree Checklist, and/or essay entries.
  7. Maintain SAP Standards

    If you are unsure of how to obtain a certain document for your scholarship application, that’s okay! Contact our office, and we’ll be happy to assist.

How OSFA Processes Your FNA

 

FNA Received

When we have received your submitted FNA form or received a request from the Tribe/Scholarship organization to complete your FNA form, you will see a notification in your UAccess Student Center. You can click on the To Do list item for more information.

File Review

Incomplete To Do List items, Notice or Holds will delay the completion of your FNA form. Please monitor your UAccess Student Center and university email carefully and complete the requested action/submit the requested documentation as required as soon as possible.

FNA Completed and Sent to Tribal Donor

You will receive an email confirmation from our office once your FNA form has been submitted directly to the tribal donor.

Placeholder Added

When applicable, an estimated award (placeholder) will be added to your Financial Aid Summary until a scholarship check is received from your tribe/tribal organization.

Award Letter Verification

Once the scholarship check is received by OSFA, we will review the award letter to determine if the student is meeting the scholarship’s terms and conditions. This may include enrollment and minimum GPA requirements.

Release of Funds

If a placeholder was added, it will be replaced with the actual scholarship funds. 
Normal processing time to award scholarship funding is 2-3 weeks from the date received.

In-State Tuition for Members of Arizona Tribes

The following list of Arizona Tribes are federally recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the state of Arizona as eligible for in-state tuition. If you are an enrolled member of any one of the Arizona Tribes listed below, make sure you submit the Native American Exception form to the Office of the Registrar. Proof of tribal enrollment (e.g., Certificate of Indian Blood or tribal ID card) must be submitted to prove tribal affiliation.

 

  • Ak-Chin Indian Community
  • Cocopah Indian Tribe
  • Colorado River Indian Tribes*
  • Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
  • Fort Mojave Indian Tribe*
  • Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe
  • Gila River Indian Community
  • Havasupai Tribe
  • Hopi Tribe
  • Hualapai Tribe
  • Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians
  • Navajo Nation*
  • Pascua Yaqui Tribe
  • Pueblo of Zuni
  • Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
  • San Carlos Apache Tribe
  • San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe
  • Tohono O'odham Nation
  • Tonto Apache Tribe
  • White Mountain Apache Tribe
  • Yavapai-Apache Tribe
  • Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe

*Reservation boundaries extend into neighboring states.

Source: https://statemuseum.arizona.edu/native-nations-arizona

Tribal Enrollment Verification System

The Tribal Enrollment Verification System is for Native students who are enrolled members of a federally- or state-recognized U.S. tribe. Learn more and upload your documents through the Office of the Registrar's Native American Exception webpage.

 

Have questions regarding your Tribal Aid?

Send us an email

  • Navigate to our Contact Us page.
  • Under the Tribal Aid Related Questions, click the link to send an email.
  • Be sure to select the "Tribal Aid" category to ensure your email goes to our tribal aid processing experts.

 

Timeline for Tribal Aid

 

October

  • Submit your 2026-2027  FAFSA using your/your family's 2024 income.
  • Begin monitoring your University of Arizona email account and UAccess Student Center To Do List items for information on your FNA.

Begin applying for scholarships through:

Priority Filing Date

The Priority Filing Date for institutional aid is:

  • March 1st for current Undergraduate students
  • April 1st incoming First-Year and Transfer students

You must have submitted your FAFSA for the following academic year before this date to meet this deadline.

Spring

Begin reviewing your financial aid offer and determining if additional resources are needed such as:

June

  • Incoming first-year and transfer students will attend orientation.
  • Once orientation is complete, first-year and transfer students can enroll full-time.
  • Continuing students should ensure they are enrolled full-time.

July

August

  • Financial aid will begin releasing to your student Bursar student account approximately 10 days before the start of fall classes.
  • Tuition and fees are due on the first day of fall classes.

Additional Information

New Admits

Current/Continuing Students 

Tribal Education Departments 

Tribal Scholarship Organizations