Chief Manuelito Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance

Description
**Purpose and scope**
The Chief Manuelito Scholarship recognizes academically strong Navajo students entering post-secondary education. It provides funds to reduce direct educational costs while honoring a Navajo leader who promoted both education and cultural preservation. The program targets students who meet academic and course-specific requirements and supports enrollment at accredited colleges and universities. Administrative details, including application procedures and term-to-term requirements, are managed by the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship & Financial Assistance (ONNSFA).

Key takeaways:
- Scholarship supports Navajo students attending accredited post-secondary institutions.
- Focus is on high academic achievement and cultural course requirements.
- Administered and adjudicated by ONNSFA.
- Funding is intended for direct educational expenses.

History of the Award
**Origins and namesake**
Established in 1980, the scholarship honors Chief Manuelito (Hastiin Ch’ilhaajiin, 1818–1893). Chief Manuelito is remembered for encouraging Navajo people to pursue education while preserving Navajo tradition and culture. The scholarship was created to reflect those values by supporting students who combine academic success with cultural awareness.

Key takeaways:
- Created in 1980 to honor Chief Manuelito.
- Honors the balance of education and cultural preservation.
- Intended to recognize and support high-achieving Navajo students.

Eligibility — High School Graduates
**Academic entry standards, course prerequisites, and online options**
High school applicants must be admitted to a post-secondary institution and meet minimum standardized-test and GPA requirements as defined by ONNSFA (ACT scores are used; SATs are converted). Applicants must complete Navajo Language (1 high‑school unit or 1+ college credit) and Navajo Government (0.5 high‑school unit or 1+ college credit) before their high school graduation date. If those courses are not available locally, approved online options exist (fees apply and are the applicant’s responsibility). Applicants should consult ONNSFA for the exact test/GPA cutoffs and acceptable course documentation.

Key takeaways:
- Admission plus required ACT/GPA thresholds (SAT converted) are mandatory.
- Required courses: Navajo Language (1 unit) and Navajo Government (0.5 unit).
- Online alternatives available; applicants pay any associated fees.
- Check ONNSFA for exact score/GPA cutoffs and acceptable evidence.

24/3 Rule — Undergraduate Eligibility
**Full‑time undergraduates and credit/GPA minimums**
Continuing full‑time undergraduate students may qualify under the 24/3 rule: completion of 24 semester college‑level credit hours (or quarter/trimester equivalent) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The rule applies only to college‑level academic courses; students enrolled in vocational or applied programs leading to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), or Certificate are not eligible under this scholarship. Meet the 24 credits and 3.0 GPA threshold to be considered under this pathway.

Key takeaways:
- Qualify as a continuing undergraduate by completing 24 semester credits.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
- Scholarship excludes AAS, BAS, and Certificate programs.
- Credits must be college‑level academic coursework.

Award Value
**Annual amount and allowable purpose**
Recipients are awarded $7,000 per academic year to cover direct educational expenses associated with attendance at a post‑secondary institution. The award is intended to offset costs such as tuition, fees, required books, and other direct academic expenses. Exact disbursement procedures, allowable expense definitions, and payment schedules are administered by ONNSFA and the host institution.

Key takeaways:
- Award amount: $7,000 per academic year.
- Intended for direct educational expenses (tuition, fees, books, etc.).
- ONNSFA and the institution determine disbursement and allowable uses.

Renewal Requirements & Academic Standards
**Minimum performance and credit load**
To remain eligible, scholarship recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and enroll in and complete a minimum of 12 semester credit hours per academic term, using college‑level graded courses. Failure to meet these academic or enrollment standards may result in loss of the scholarship. Recipients should monitor and meet these standards each term to preserve eligibility.

Key takeaways:
- Renewal requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Recipients must complete at least 12 semester credit hours per term (college‑level, graded).
- Noncompliance can result in termination of the award.

Application Timeline & Documentation
**Deadlines, submissions, and annual reapplication**
Applicants must submit the ONNSFA application and all required supporting documents by the published ONNSFA deadlines; late or incomplete submissions are not accepted. Transcripts and other requested documentation must be provided in the format and timeframe specified by ONNSFA. The scholarship does not automatically renew; eligible students must reapply to ONNSFA each academic year and follow the current application cycle and documentation requirements.

Key takeaways:
- Observe ONNSFA’s published application deadlines—late materials are not accepted.
- Provide all required documentation in the prescribed format and timeframe.
- Scholarship requires annual reapplication; it is not automatically renewed.
- Confirm current timelines and submission instructions on the ONNSFA website.

Online Course Options (Supplement)
**Approved remote options to meet course requirements**
If Navajo Language or Navajo Government courses are unavailable locally, applicants may use approved online programs: the Navajo Language Renaissance exam (Rosetta Stone exam) — pass at 85% or higher (details at NavajoLRExam.org) — or coursework through the American Academy (theamericanacademy.com) to meet the required course prerequisites. Any fees for these online options are the applicant’s responsibility; ONNSFA is not obligated to pay for them.

Key takeaways:
- Rosetta Stone/Navajo Language Renaissance exam: 85%+ required to fulfill language requirement.
- American Academy coursework is an accepted option for language and/or government requirements.
- Applicants cover all fees for online options; ONNSFA does not pay those costs.