The Rodney T. Mathews, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program
Preparing for Success
The Scholarship programs assists students in pursuing their educational goals of one vocational program and/or one each of an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and PhD degrees. Scholarships shall be granted to eligible applicants year-round for tuition, mandatory fees, textbooks & related supplies, and school-affiliated housing.
Tribal Member & First Descendant Scholarship Program
The Rodney T. Mathews, Jr. Memorial Academic & Vocational Scholarship
Application Deadline April 1, 2025
Secondary Deadline October 1, 2025
The Tribal Scholarship Program provides college and vocational scholarships to Morongo Tribal Members, 1st Descendants in accordance with Tribal Ordinance. The Tribe’s Rodney T. Mathews, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program offers college scholarships to enrolled California Tribal Members.
Tribal Member Applicants
First Descendant Applicants
First Descendant applicants must be a non-enrolled child of a Morongo Tribal member and be verified by Morongo Tribal Affairs.
Application Requirements
- Must be a full or part time student at an accredited College/University or Vocational School.
- Must have completed The Rodney T. Mathews, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Application and be in good standing in accordance with all Scholarship Rules and Regulations.
- All undergraduate/vocational students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 and all graduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Application Overview
- Academic Study Plan (see attached). This form must be completed and signed by your institutional academic advisor for all academic scholarships.
- Transcripts – Official copies of student transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended. See release waiver section in Terms and Conditions form.
- Copy of Acceptance Letter
- Terms and Conditions Form
- Provide copy of Tribal Identification or have Morongo Tribal Affairs provide verification
Prepare & Plan
Use this checklist to plan according so you meet requirements and make deadlines.
Apply Today
All documents must be postmarked by the deadline date and time.
California Indian Scholarship Program
Rodney T. Mathews, Jr. Memorial Scholarship for California Indians
Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
This scholarship provides up to $10,000 for 2023-2024 Academic Year and was established to assist California Indian students in pursuing their educational goals through the granting of competitive and meritorious based financial scholarships. For 2023-2024, the Rodney T. Mathews, Jr. Memorial Scholarship for California Indians will provide four (4) awards of $10,000 each to support California Indian students who want to continue their education. Scholarships shall be granted to eligible applicants on a yearly basis (as long as there are funds available). Each award is for a 12-month period, renewable for a second year pending demonstration of exceptional progress.
Applicate Notice
Application Requirements
- Must be a full-time student at an accredited College or University.
- Be actively involved in the Native American community.
Two letters of recommendation are required:- Academic Recommender
- American Indian Community Recommender. Letters of reference must be on official letterhead from the individual supplying the reference.
- Must have completed The Rodney T. Mathews, Jr. Memorial Scholarship for California Indian and be in good standing in accordance with all Scholarship Rules and Regulations.
- All undergraduate students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and all graduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5.
- Must complete 60 hours of community service with a designated California Indian Community Agency (see attached list of agencies)
- Must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have financial need as determined by the appropriate Office of Financial Aid.
Application Overview
- Personal Statement & Essay Questions. All applicants must answer question A and respond to either item 1 or item 2 from question B. Please type essay responses and attach on a separate sheet of paper.
- Academic Study Plan (see attached). This form must be completed and signed by your institutional academic advisor for all academic scholarships.
- Transcripts – Official copies of student transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended. See release waiver section in Terms and Conditions form.
- Letters of Recommendation. Required: 1) Academic Recommender and 2) American Indian Community Recommender. Letters of reference must be on official letterhead from the individual supplying the reference.
- California Indian Community Service Form
- Terms and Conditions Form
- The Rodney T. Mathews, Jr. Memorial Academic Scholarship for California Indians Rules and Regulations.
Prepare & Plan
Use this checklist to plan according so you meet requirements and make deadlines.
Apply Today
All documents must be postmarked by the deadline date and time.
An array of resources
Contact our Scholarship Coordinator for any questions or to get help with your application.
Claudia Ramirez
Morongo Scholarship Coordination
Application Submissions
- Complete online or mail your completed application to:
RTM Scholarship Coordinator
11952 Potrero Road
Banning, CA 92220
“Human beings have a respect for scholarship and learning greatly out of proportion to the use they commonly serve”
Henry David Thoreau
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