Financial aid refers to funding provided to help students cover the cost of postsecondary education. NSAP includes information on grants, scholarships, and waivers provided specifically to Native students that can be used at individual postsecondary institutions, at multiple institutions across postsecondary systems, or at institutions across the state/statewide. NSAP does not include information on student loans or funding opportunities provided directly by the United States federal government (e.g., BIA funding), Tribal nations, or private or non-profit organizations. Please note NSAP documents financial aid opportunities found on public facing institutional websites and may not include all opportunities available. We encourage users to reach out to colleges they may be interested in to learn more about all financial aid.

NSAP includes all colleges, universities, vocational, and trade schools in the United States that operate to provide instructional programs after high school and are eligible to provide federal financial aid (Title IV). This article provides more information on what it means for an institution to participate in Title IV.

Postsecondary systems include multiple institutions operating as a unified organization. For example, the University of Tennessee System includes five institutions across the state of Tennessee. Postsecondary systems can create their own financial aid opportunities that may be available across all institutions in the system.

States in the U.S. often create their own financial aid opportunities through state policy. If an opportunity is listed as statewide, it likely means it is available across many institutions in the state. These types of opportunities may only be available at certain colleges or universities, such as public institutions.

NSAP includes an additional information box under each financial aid opportunity to document and clarify any unique details that are not already summarized elsewhere.

Public institutions are overseen by state and local governments. Private institutions are non-governmental, meaning they are overseen by private individuals or groups. This article provides more information on the differences between public and private institutions.

Degree length refers to the most common degree provided by the institution. For example, community or technical colleges specializing in associate degrees will often be listed as 2-year, while universities specializing in bachelor's degrees will often be listed as 4-year.

Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) are typically run by Tribal governments and range in size, location, and degrees offered. The American Indian Higher Education Consortium provides detailed information on all U.S. TCUs.

Refers to whether the institution listed is in a city, suburban, town, or rural setting.

Refers to the enrollment status of the student seeking financial aid. For example, full-time enrollment status at the undergraduate level usually refers to students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours. Part-time enrollment status usually refers to students enrolled in less than 12 credit hours.

Refers to the type of degree sought by the student seeking financial aid. In NSAP, these degree types include:

• Undergraduate: Includes both associate and bachelor's degree programs.

• Graduate: Includes graduate programs other than medical or law degree programs.

• Certificate: Includes non-degree certification programs.

• Law School: Includes post-graduate law degree programs.

• Medical School: Includes post-graduate medical degree programs.

Refers to the student's classification as either a first year/first-time student*, transfer student, or current/continuing student. *Students are typically still considered first year/first-time students even if they begin college after taking dual enrollment courses or AP courses in high school.

Refers to how the Native student seeking financial aid is required to prove Tribal affiliation. Some opportunities in NSAP are further limited to students affiliated with a specific Tribal nation, and these details are included in the Additional Information. Requirements may include:

• Tribal membership and/or proof of blood quantum.

• Tribal descendance.

• Other affiliation (e.g., self-identify as Native American or disclose involvement with a Tribal nation or Indigenous community).

Refers to the state residency required of the student seeking financial aid, either in-state or out-of-state. If an opportunity listed in NSAP lists both, the financial aid is available to both in-state and out-of-state students. For example, Augsburg University's American Indian Recognition Full Tuition Program.

Some opportunities may be listed as only for out-of-state students, such as Michigan State University's Maynard Kennedy Turtle Island Acknowledgement Scholarship. This is because the opportunity provides an in-state tuition rate for out-of-state students.

Refers to whether the student seeking financial aid must demonstrate financial need. While need is commonly measured by information collected in the FAFSA application, some programs may request other documentation such as a student essay.

Refers to whether the student seeking financial aid is required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Refers to whether the student seeking aid must have specific high school or college grade point averages (GPA). In NSAP, for the college GPA requirements, we specifically list if the opportunity requires students to have a GPA above minimum satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements to either initially receive the award or continue to receive the award.

Refers to whether the student seeking aid must achieve a specified score on standardized admission tests.

Refers to the amount of aid offered by the financial aid opportunity.

Refers to the type of funding offered by the financial aid opportunity. Some opportunities in NSAP may include more than one funding type. Funding types in NSAP include:

• Set amount: The opportunity provides a set amount of financial aid. For example, a scholarship might provide $2,000 per semester.

• Tuition: The opportunity covers up to the cost of full tuition. Notably, this sometimes excludes fees. We specify whether an opportunity only covers tuition in the opportunity's Additional Information.

• Cost of attendance: The opportunity covers up to the entire projected costs of attendance, including tuition/fees, books, and housing.

• In-state tuition rate reclassification: The opportunity reclassifies an out-of-state resident student as in-state for tuition purposes, meaning the student pays a discounted tuition rate compared to what they would usually pay as an out-of-state resident.

• Stipend: The opportunity provides stipend payments. Stipends may be in addition to other aid such as tuition, or for specific student activities such as summer housing.

Refers to opportunities that are renewable for multiple academic terms or years. This may occur automatically or by application.

Refers to whether the opportunity is awarded to all students who meet eligibility requirements. Non-universal funding refers to opportunities limited to a specific number of eligible students and may be competitive in design. Non-universal funding usually requires additional application components to determine selection, which we include in the opportunities' Additional Information.