Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours is a proud affiliate of The Dan Begay Foundation for Excellence. The Foundation was founded by Jancee Etsitty and Eddie White, two members of the Navajo Nation, in April 2020 to help improve the lives of the Navajo people through financial assistance programs. Keep reading to learn about each of these scholarship and grant opportunities and get more information as to how members of the Navajo community can apply for funding.
Academic Scholarships
The Foundation’s Academic Scholarships are awarded to part-time and full-time college students who need financial assistance to pursue either an associate degree or an undergraduate degree. Applications are now open for the 2020-2021 academic year and can help students earn their college degrees with little to no financial debt. High school students who will attend college during the upcoming academic year may also apply. The application deadline is June 29, 2020, and is worth $2,000 per year for part-time students and $5,000 per year for full-time students enrolled in at least 12 semester units. Both groups must have and maintain at least a 2.8 cumulative grade point average.
Certification and Training Grants
Members of the Navajo Nation who wish to pursue a new and better career may apply for a certification, trade school, and training grant. Applicants must be currently enrolled in either a certificate program, a training program, a vocational school or a trade school, and must be at least 18 years old. This grant awards recipients with $2,000 for their training pursuits.
Business Grants
Entrepreneurs who need help launching or growing their businesses may apply for a business grant from the Foundation. Applicants must have either a lease, a permit, or a business plan to be considered for the grant, which can be used to help cover the business owner’s start-up costs. Recipients will receive up to $1,500 and must be at least 18 years of age or older for consideration.
Athletic Grants
High travel and athletic equipment costs can make it hard for Navajo athletic teams and individuals to pursue sports endeavors. The Foundations’ athletic grants are worth up to $2,000 and are available for athletes between the ages of five and 18.
Emergency Grants
Emergency grants from the Dan Begay Foundation for Excellence were designed to help members of the Navajo Nation in need of emergency assistance to pay for basic necessities, including utility bills, sustenance, car repairs, and more. Please note that, as of the date of this writing, the program has reached its results limit due to high demand and is not currently accepting applications.
How to Apply
Since funding is only available to members of the Navajo Nation, proof of eligibility is required to apply. The simple online application process should take only a few minutes for individuals to complete. Qualified applicants and those who want to learn more about each program should navigate to www.dbfe.org.