Frequently Asked Questions

FIGR University of California Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions:

Which Campuses are Eligible for the FIGR UC Scholarship?

Campuses & locations | University of California
UC Berkeley | UC Irvine | UC Merced | UC San Diego | UC Santa BarbaraUC Davis | UC Los Angeles | UC Riverside | UC San Francisco | UC Santa Cruz

Please make sure you are an enrolled student with a Student ID in one of the institutions listed above to be eligible to apply.

Only the campuses above are eligible Institutions for the FIGR UC Scholarship. California State
University (CSU) Campuses and/or California Community Colleges (CCC/JC) are not eligible.

How do I prove my lineage as a California Native American but not a member of a federally recognized tribe for the FIGR UC Scholarship?

  • Provide a copy of your Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) in your name that is showing a California tribal affiliation.
    Or
  • Provide original certified birth certificates or death certificates for each generation linking you to a person with a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) showing a California tribal affiliation.
    • Example: If your maternal grandmother has a CDIB. You will need to provide supporting documents verifying all claims, such as mother’s original birth certificate (with her mother/your grandmother’s names on the birth certificate) and your original birth certificate. Make sure to send in all original documents (not copies of the originals).

Or

  • Provide original certified birth certificates or death certificates for each generation linking you to a person on the California census rolls of 1928 or 1933 or on the California Judgment Fund Rolls of 1953 or 1972.
    • The Judgment rolls are available through the National Archives at San Francisco. If you know your relative is on the Judgment rolls, contact the FIGR office at [email protected] for more information.

Or

  • Provide a letter signed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs certifying that you descend from a person on the California census rolls of 1928 or 1933, or on the California Judgment Fund Rolls of 1953 or 1972.
  • The documents above are the only way to prove eligibility. FIGR UC scholarship does not accept documents from federally recognized Tribes to prove lineage.

What is the California Indian Judgment Rolls?

A list of California Native Americans living in California as of June 1, 1852, and the descendants of those individuals. Each individual listed was assigned a “roll number.” The rolls can list a person’s name, address, date of birth, and sometimes tribal affiliation.

Where do I begin tracing my Native ancestry as a California Indian?

Can I still apply for the FIGR UC Scholarship if I descend from a Federally Recognized Tribe but NOT enrolled, or disenrolled?

Yes. Students can still apply for the FIGR UC Scholarship as a non-enrolled descendant of a federally recognized Tribe as long as you can prove lineage using the information above.
*FIGR UC scholarship does not accept documents from federally recognized tribes.

Can I still apply if I descend from a non-federally recognized tribe located outside of California?

As long as you can prove lineage to a California Indian using the information above and you are not enrolled in a federally recognized tribe, your descent from a non-California tribe does not
make you ineligible.

Do I have to re-apply after I am accepted into the scholarship every year?

No. Students who are approved for the FIGR UC Scholarship are eligible for the Scholarship Funds for subsequent terms until graduation as long as they maintain their enrollment status.

What does the FIGR UC Scholarship cover?

The FIGR UC Scholarship only covers systemwide UC Tuition and Student Services Fees, Campus Fees, and, subject to availability of funds, Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition. Note this is only a one fraction of your cost of attendance. If you have or are eligible for other Financial Aid that covers any of these costs, you will not receive the FIGR UC Scholarship for those same costs.

When is the Deadline for the FIGR UC Scholarship?

FIGR UC Scholarship Application with all original requested supporting documents need to be Postmarked by August 1, 2023.

What happens if I find out about the FIGR UC Scholarship after the Scholarship deadline?

If your application is post marked by December 30, 2023, your application will be processed in time for an award for Winter and Spring terms. Note, the FIGR UC Scholarship does not apply retroactively to previous terms prior to approval of application date.