Language Scholarships & Programs

Dakota Language Scholarships

The Wahpetunwin Dakota Iapi Scholarship is a financial aid program for University of Minnesota degree-seeking undergraduates who demonstrate strong dedication to learning to speak and teach the Dakota language. To be eligible, students must have submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be admitted or pending admission to an undergraduate degree program in American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus. Selection is based on evidence of academic promise and commitment to learning to speak and teach the Dakota language and to using his/her education to the benefit of the community, with preference given to students of Dakota, Lakota, or Nakota heritage, those who demonstrate financial need, and parents of children in a Dakota language immersion program. Scholarship awards cover students’ tuition and fees for two years. Recipients must maintain at least a 3.0 gpa in order to keep the scholarship.

Application deadline: MARCH 13th, 2009

The Continuing Education Dakota Iapi Scholarship is a financial aid program for continuing education (non-degree seeking) students at the University of Minnesota who demonstrate dedication to learning and/or teaching the Dakota language. Selection is based on evidence of commitment to learning the Dakota language and to using his/her education to the benefit of the community, with preference given to students of Dakota, Lakota, or Nakota heritage and parents of children in a Dakota language immersion program. Scholarships cover the tuition of one Dakota language (DAKO) course per semester for up to four semesters. Recipients must maintain at least a 3.0 gpa in order to keep the scholarship.

Application deadline: MARCH 13th, 2009

For more information, contact Beth Brown at 612-624-8217 or brow0857@umn.edu.

Ojibwe Language Scholarships

The Full-Time Student Ojibwemodaa Eta! Scholarship is a financial aid program for University of Minnesota degree-seeking undergraduates who demonstrate strong dedication to learning to speak and teach the Ojibwe language. To be eligible, students must have submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be admitted or pending admission to an undergraduate degree program in American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus. Selection is based on evidence of academic promise and commitment to learning to speak and teach the Ojibwe language and to using his/her education to the benefit of the community, with preference given to students of Ojibwe heritage, those who demonstrate financial need, and parents of children in a Ojibwe language immersion program. Scholarship awards cover students’ tuition and fees for two years. Recipients must maintain at least a 3.0 gpa in order to keep the scholarship.

Application deadline: MARCH 13th, 2009

The Continuing Education Ojibwemodaa Eta! Scholarship is a financial aid program for continuing education (non-degree seeking) students at the University of Minnesota who demonstrate dedication to learning and/or teaching the Ojibwe language. Selection is based on evidence of commitment to learning the Ojibwe language and to using his/her education to the benefit of the community, with preference given to students of Ojibwe heritage and parents of children in a Ojibwe language immersion program. Scholarships cover the tuition of one Ojibwe language (OJIB) course per semester for up to four semesters. Recipients must maintain at least a 3.0 gpa in order to keep the scholarship.

Application deadline: MARCH 13th, 2009

For more information, contact Miguel Vargas at 612-626-5759 or varg0043@umn.edu.

Dakota/Ojibwe Language Teacher Practicum

3 credits, 9 hours per week

Interested in building teaching skills while improving your Dakota or Ojibwe? The Student Language Practicum is an opportunity to practice language in an everyday setting, gain teaching and curriculum development experience, and help pass the language on to the next generation by assisting a fluent elder and an apprentice speaker in a community language classroom. Students receive a small stipend upon completion of the practicum.

**Students must have completed 1 year of language instruction at the University of Minnesota OR pass standard proficiency test given by the language instructor to be eligible for the Practicum. **

For an application or more information contact
Miguel Vargas - 612.626.5759 - varg0043@umn.edu.