Native Americans have been a suppressed class, and this has led to a variety of financial assistance opportunities being offered to the community.  The grants are reserved with a vision to bring about a change or redress in the imbalance that is observed in the development of the society. The Native American grant programs are of great help to individuals from the community who find it difficult to support themselves and the culture.

Native American grants for education are given by public as well as private organizations. The institutions have several grants that community members can take advantage of for various needs. However, before the process begins, one must document the ancestry to be able to qualify for the grant.

Requirement of documents
The documentation of one’s ancestry is one of the most important steps in order to access the various grants that are offered for students of the community. One must be able to prove their lineage and this process can take a while. The legal recognition can vary depending upon the Native American nation in which one seeks enrollment. For those who require confirmation, taking an autosomal DNA test to prove Native American ancestry can be helpful. While the test does not work as a legal validating document, it will help to determine the possibility of the connection. Post-confirmation, the tribe must be directly contacted to enroll as a member. The process will require one to produce vital documents of the lineage, birth certificates, family history and more.

Applying for state and federal Native American grants
There are numerous grants offered to Native Americans under different programs. The Bureau of Indian Education Higher Education Grant provides information on the available programs. When one applies for state or federal educational grants, a Free Application for Student Aid must be completed. The application can be undertaken online or at the universities. In addition to federal and state grants, financial aid can be applied through several other private sources. There are professional as well as philanthropic organizations that work towards the cause of sponsoring Native American grants. They may particularly be targeted towards a specific professional degree. The grants from professional organizations can be applied through the university or the organization, directly.