Scholarship Program Snapshot & Policies
Complete guide to TCF scholarship requirements, award disbursement rules, lifetime funding limits, and the formal grievance and appeals process.
Scholarship Program Snapshot
Compare TCF scholarship programs, award amounts, deadlines, and basic eligibility requirements at a glance.
| Program | Eligibility | Award Amount | Application Window / Deadline | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Higher Education | CIRI shareholder or direct lineal descendant; 2.0+ GPA | $200/cr (Undergrad), $400/cr (Grad) — up to $9,000/yr | Oct 1 – Dec 31 & Apr 1 – Jun 30 | Details → |
| Career Technical Education (CTE) | CIRI shareholder or descendant; enrolled in trade cert/license | Up to $9,000 per calendar year | Year-round (No deadline — apply any day) | Details → |
| Jump Start Award | Direct lineal descendant; high school grades 9–12 | Up to $2,000 per calendar year | Open year-round (academic terms) | Details → |
| Competitive & Endowments | Full-time 4-year degree student; 3.0+ or 3.5+ GPA | $10,000 (Achievement), $15,000 (Excellence), $20,000 (Special) | June 30 annually | Details → |
| Cap Lathrop Scholarship | Alaska Native; broadcast, telecom, journalism major; 3.0+ GPA | Up to $2,000 per academic year | June 30 annually (paper application) | Details → |
| Village & Tribal Scholarships | Eklutna, Ninilchik, or Salamatof original enrollees or descendants | Per village association schedule | Per participating entity cycle | Details → |
| Raven Fund Scholarships | CIRI voting shareholders (non-original/lineal) | Higher Ed ($200/cr) / CTE ($9k) / Jump Start ($2k) | Oct 1 – Dec 31 & Rolling CTE | Details → |
Lifetime Funding Limits
Combined maximum across undergraduate courses, trade schools, and Jump Start awards.
Dedicated funding cap for master's degree studies.
Financial assistance beyond a Master's degree (Doctoral or specialized professional studies) is evaluated on an individual basis by TCF's Board of Directors.
Award Terms & Policies
Non-Stackable Awards
Applicants cannot simultaneously combine or stack awards from the Higher Education and Career Technical Education scholarships. Coursework funded by the initial scholarship must be completed before receiving additional funding.
Living Expense Support for Full-Ride Scholars
Students who receive a full-ride scholarship from another source may qualify for living expense support ($200 per credit hour). This funding is flat, taxable under IRS rules, and subject to lifetime limits.
Disbursement Directly to School
Except for approved living expense allowances, scholarship disbursements are sent directly to the verified educational institution’s financial aid office.
How to Appeal a Scholarship Decision
Suppose you believe an error or unexpected emergency affected your application. TCF provides a fair, 6-step grievance process to review qualified appeals.
Check If You Qualify to Appeal
Make sure your appeal fits one of the two accepted reasons under TCF’s grievance policy: Administrative Error (mistake in processing your application/documents) or Circumstances Beyond Your Control (medical emergency, legal matters, natural disasters, or documented technical failure).
Write Your Appeal
Prepare a formal written request including your full legal name, application ID, a clear chronological explanation of what occurred, and supporting documentation (e.g. medical paperwork, official transcripts, screenshots of technical issues).
Submit to the Scholarship Manager
Email or mail your complete written appeal directly to TCF's Scholarship Manager. Make sure all documentation is attached; incomplete appeals may delay review.
Escalate to the President/CEO (If Needed)
If the Scholarship Manager does not resolve your concern, submit a new appeal addressed to TCF’s President/CEO. Include all previous documentation and specify the resolution sought.
Escalate to the Education Awards Committee (If Needed)
If unresolved by the President/CEO, you may escalate your appeal to the Education Awards Committee (EAC). Submit your appeal with the complete grievance history.
Await the Final Decision
The EAC reviews your appeal with input from the President/CEO. EAC decisions are final.
Helpful Reminders for Appeals
- Follow the Order: Appeals must proceed strictly in order: Scholarship Manager → President/CEO → Education Awards Committee.
- Act Quickly: Submit appeals promptly upon receiving your decision to avoid delays.
- Be Thorough: Include complete, legible documentation (medical records, correspondence, screenshots) with your submission.
Download Official Scholarship Forms
Keep your application active by downloading and uploading the appropriate documentation to the TCF portal.