Chief Manuelito Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance

The  Navajo Nation established the Chief Manuelito Scholarship program in  1980 to recognize high-achieving high school graduates. The scholarship honors Chief Manuelito, Hastiin Ch’ilhaajiin, (1818-1893), who encouraged the Navajo people to seek education and protect and preserve Navajo tradition and culture. Students meeting the criteria for the Chief Manuelito Scholarship are awarded $7,000 per academic year to cover direct educational expenses associated with attending a post-secondary institution. Chief Manuelito Scholarship recipients are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA and earn 12 or more semester credit hours, based on college-level graded courses, for each academic term.

High School Graduates  Eligibility

1. Admission to a post-secondary institution with a minimum ACT (SAT scores will be converted) composite score in combination with a minimum cumulative grade point average (as shown here).
2. Completion of required courses including Navajo Language (1 unit high school credit or 1+ college credit) and Navajo Government (.5 unit high school credit or 1+ college credit) prior to high school graduation date.
3. Students who do not have access to either Navajo Language or Navajo government classes, have online options to fulfill the requirement. Fees apply to both and are the sole responsibility of the applicant. The ONNSFA is not obligated to pay for courses.
   • Rosetta  Stone Navajo Language Exam: Score 85 percent or better on the Navajo  Language Renaissance (NLR) exam to fulfill the Navajo language requirement. For additional details, access: www.NavajoLRExam.org.
   • American  Academy: Complete coursework from American Academy to fulfill the  Navajo government and/or language requirement. For additional details: http://www.theamericanacademy.com.

24/3 Rule for Undergraduates  Eligibility

1. Full-time undergraduates also may qualify upon meeting the following criteria:
2. Completion of 24 semester college-level credit hours (or equivalent trimester or quarter credit hours) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students seeking an Associate of Applied Science, Bachelors of Applied Science or  Certificate are not eligible as the scholarship is limited to college-level courses.

NOTE:  All policies concerning deadlines and document submission are strictly adhered to. Students must turn in transcripts after every term and re-apply to ONNSFA every academic year. The scholarship does not automatically renew.