Nelson-Running Wolf Scholarship Application

University of Colorado DenverUniversity of Colorado DenverUniversity of Colorado Denver Due date: August 22 Nelson-Running Wolf Scholarship Application CU Denver Nelson-Running Wolf Scholarship

Harold Nelson and Mike Running Wolf Scholarship

Background

In 1970, two American Indian students at CU Denver (UCD) joined together to advocate for resources needed for current and future Native students.

Michael Running Wolf and Harold “Jim” Nelson saw that tribal students needed access to specific supports in order to thrive and succeed at UCD. They promoted the value of establishing a culturally specific “home,” where American Indian students could feel respected, understood, and safe - a place to gather and strengthen each other culturally, spiritually, socially, and academically so that they could achieve their educational dreams and fulfill their destinies as leaders of their Indigenous peoples.

In July 1989, the University of Colorado Denver implemented a specific scholarship that would assist in recruiting and retaining American Indian students. By creating the scholarship, the university made a commitment to help relieve an additional financial burden for students whose people had been removed from their original homelands located within Colorado. These students would have otherwise qualified for in-state tuition. The scholarship also affirms the unique political status of American Indian students. As a group, American Indian people are regarded as dual-citizens of sovereign American Indian Nations and the United States. This dual status recognizes the federal trust responsibility that obligates educational funds through treaties in exchange for tribal land and resources.

Scholarship Program Eligibility

Eligibility is based on current enrollment at CU Denver, tribal identity, merit, and general need. Each applicant will be required to submit documentation, and write a personal essay that describes cultural identity and relevance of higher education, demonstrates merit (for example, service to community) and addresses how the scholarship will help meet financial need.

Enrollment at CU Denver

 Must be a enrolled at CU Denver downtown campus as a current student: full-time undergraduate (12 or more hours); part-time undergraduate (6 -11 hours); full-time graduate (6 or more hours); or part- time graduate (3 -5 hours)

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Tribal identity (Please scan/attach documentation)

 A citizen or enrolled member of an American Indian nation, tribe, band or Alaska Native corporation (federally or state recognized, or terminated); or,

 A descendant from a grandparent who is listed on an official census of such groups; or,

 A letter from a tribal leader which confirms that the student is a recognized member of an Indian community

 Applications should describe their active involvement with American Indian culture and communities. Examples: Student provides service to American Indian organizations or groups; participates in traditional language and cultural practices; is involved in political activism related to Indigenous issues; or is an active member of CU Denver native student organizations or programs.

 For scholarship continuation, awardees must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and successfully complete the part-time or full-time coursework that the student enrolled in semester awarded.

Award Process

 The scholarship committee reads and rates applications based on the personal essay and documentation

 Award recipients attend the Nelson-Running Wolf networking luncheon and scholarship resource fair scheduled in early September

 Awards will be applied to current tuition and costs, and could reduce existing loan balances

Timeline – Fall Semester

 August 22 – Application Due

 September 2 – Awards announced through CU Denver student email

 September 16 – Awards posted to student accounts

 December 9 – Native Graduation & Scholar Honoring Ceremony

Timeline – Spring Semester 3 CU Denver Nelson-Running Wolf Scholarship

5  January 9– AISS and Scholarships office confirm eligibility for Spring continuation

 January 13 – Scholarships will post to student accounts; student will receive e-mail verification

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Application Last Name: First Name: Middle Initial:

UCD Student ID:

Mailing Address:

Phone 1: Phone 2:

UCD E-mail address:

Home E-mail address:

Name of Tribe/Band/Nation:

New Applicants: Please submit a copy of at least one document that verifies your tribal affiliation or cultural identity: ☐ Enrollment card with census number for you, a parent, or grandparent ☐ Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) from the Bureau of Indian Affairs ☐ Official letter from your tribe certifying citizenship, or historical documentation from a terminated band or tribe ☐ Letter from a tribal leader identifying you as a recognized member of an Indian community

I am currently enrolled at CU Denver as a: ☐ Part- time undergraduate student (6 -11 hours) ☐ Full-time undergraduate student (12 or more hours) ☐ Part-time graduate student (3 – 5 hours)  Full-time graduate student (6 or more hours)

Need Statement

To help us understand your personal need, please generally describe expenses or special burdens (e.g. daycare, medical bills, car payment, insurance, family obligations) ______Application Instructions

Fall Application: Complete and email pages 4-5 of application, along with tribal documentation, and a two to three-page personal essay (500 to 750 words). Your essay should tell the committee about you – how you identify as a tribal person, and what your cultural identity means to you. Please describe your community involvement and service, as well as your educational and career goals. Share with the committee how your education will benefit Native people.

Submit to:

American Indian Student Services University of Colorado Denver Educational Opportunity Programs Suite 2007, Student Commons Building 1201 Larimer Street Denver, CO 80204

Spring Continuation Awards: Once you receive a Fall award, your award will automatically post to your Spring account if you complete your fall courses and maintain a 2.0 or higher grade point average.

Thank you for your application! Please call if you have any questions: (303) 315-1882