Indigenous Teacher Preparation Program Scholarships

The School of Education (SOE) Indigenous Teacher Preparation Program (ITPP) supports Indigenous undergraduates preparing to become inclusive education teachers.

ITPP and the Hoñwanahahoñ•nyeñ•nik Scholarship (“They build a path for them” in Onondaga) recognizes the critical need for Indigenous teachers in schools serving predominantly Indigenous communities and that young students seeing themselves represented in their teachers is a crucial element for academic success.

The Program provides financial assistance and academic supports to Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous-identifying undergraduate students who are enrolled in SOE and who are certified citizens—or children of certified citizens—of federally or state recognized tribal Nations.

Scholarships are available for qualified, admitted first-year and transfer students, with availability to other Indigenous-identifying students on a limited basis.

Undergraduate scholarship recipients enroll in either of the SOE’s bachelor’s degree teacher preparation programs: Inclusive Childhood Education and Inclusive Adolescent Education.

To Be Eligible a Student Must:

• Be an admitted first-year or transfer student (limited funds are available for graduate students; please inquire if interested).
• Be a certified citizen (or child of a certified citizen) of a US Indigenous Nation or Canadian First Nation. Eligible citizens include those from the historic Haudenosaunee Nations (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora), as well as Native Hawaiian, Inuit, and Metis peoples.
• Be in pursuit of their first bachelor’s degree.
• File for financial aid by published deadlines.
• Maintain full-time academic status (minimum 12 credits per semester) and meet the satisfactory academic progress standards of the University.

Students eligible for the Syracuse University Indigenous Pathways Grant programs may apply.

“Having a community of peers who share similar values and interests, along with support from my academic advisor, has made me feel much more confident in my transition to college life. The Native Student Program has also given me meaningful opportunities to connect with my culture.”
—Jadalyn George ’30, Mohawk Nation Wolf Clan, Inclusive Childhood Education major

Support for Indigenous Students

At Syracuse University, Indigenous student teachers will find a welcoming campus community and rich academic programs with faculty, staff, and alumni who are invested in helping students succeed.

Opportunities Open to All Indigenous Students

• Native Student Program
• Indigenous Students at Syracuse Student Organization
• Indigenous Living Learning Community

Additional ITPP Academic Supports

• A dedicated Academic Advisor in SOE’s Office of Academic and Student Services
• Additional funding for Study Abroad
• Access to an extensive network of SU Indigenous alumni from around the world
• Minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies (dependent on major requirements/transfer credits)
• Iroquois Linguistics for Language Learners Certificate
• NYSED Indigenous Culture and Language Studies Certificate (qualified students may apply on their own)
• The Program may help cover other costs such as memberships in Indigenous education organizations, attending Indigenous education conferences, and other cohort activities

For More Information

Tammy Bluewolf-Kennedy ’04, G’10 (Oneida Nation Wolf Clan)
Assistant Director, Partnership Programs and Indigenous Recruitment
tbluewol@syr.edu