- Details
- By Neely Bardwell
The University of Phoenix has announced a scholarship for Native students, in collaboration with the Native American Basketball Invitational (NABI).
The NABI Foundation Ernest L. Stevens, Jr. – University of Phoenix Scholarship offers full-tuition coverage to any Native student that participated in NABI between the years 2003 and 2022. The scholarship is named after NABI’s current chairman Ernie Stevens Jr., who has been actively involved with NABI since 2003 when it was created. He is also a University of Phoenix alumni.
"While earning my master’s in management degree at the University of Phoenix, the Tribal Specialists were invaluable with support and provided resources that helped me stay engaged and on track for graduation," Stevens said in a statement. "I am honored that the scholarship will offer the opportunity for other tribal students to pursue their educational goals."
The NABI is an annual basketball invitational that features teams of both boys and girls (ages 14-19) from tribal communities across the country. This invitational is the largest national premiere all Native basketball tournament, reaching over 1300 Native students during their NABI week.
This is the first year that the scholarship is being offered, and there will be only one recipient. The scholarship can be used for someone pursuing either a bachelors or masters degree from the University of Phoenix.
The deadline to apply is October 31, 2022.
More Stories Like This
Native Students Can Win $5,000 Scholarship, International Distribution in Pendleton Design ContestAmerican Indian College Fund Raises Alarm Over Plan to Shift Native Programs Away From the Dept. of Education
MacKenzie Scott Foundation Gives $5 Million Contribution to Little Priest Tribal College
Tribal Leaders Push Back on Dismantling of U.S. Department of Education
American Indian College Fund Names 12 Student Ambassadors for 2025–26
Help us defend tribal sovereignty.
At Native News Online, our mission is rooted in telling the stories that strengthen sovereignty and uplift Indigenous voices — not just at year’s end, but every single day.
Because of your generosity last year, we were able to keep our reporters on the ground in tribal communities, at national gatherings and in the halls of Congress — covering the issues that matter most to Indian Country: sovereignty, culture, education, health and economic opportunity.
That support sustained us through a tough year in 2025. Now, as we look to the year ahead, we need your help right now to ensure warrior journalism remains strong — reporting that defends tribal sovereignty, amplifies Native truth, and holds power accountable.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Your support keeps Native voices heard, Native stories told and Native sovereignty defended.
Stand with Warrior Journalism today.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
