Native American Opportunity Plan

UC’s Native American Opportunity Plan ensures that in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees are fully covered for California students who are also enrolled in federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes. This plan applies to undergraduate and graduate students.

To qualify for the Native American Opportunity Plan, students must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a current or newly admitted University of California graduate student.
• Be classified as a California resident for tuition purposes.
• Be an enrolled member of a federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and/or Alaska Native tribe and provide acceptable documentation of enrollment.
• Be enrolled in a state-supported graduate degree program. Certificate programs, self-supporting graduate programs (e.g., Executive MBA programs), and extension programs do not qualify.

Applying for the UC Native American Opportunity Plan (NAOP)

Prospective students who wish to be considered for the UC Native American Opportunity Plan (NAOP) must complete the standard UC San Diego graduate application, including submission of all required application materials such as academic records/transcripts, test scores (if applicable), and supporting documents.

As part of the application, students will be asked on the Personal Information section whether they would like to be considered for the NAOP. Applicants who select “Yes” must indicate their tribal affiliation and provide documentation demonstrating eligibility for the program.

To qualify, Native American and Alaska Native students must be able to document enrollment in a federally recognized tribe. Students can review the list of federally recognized tribes on the official federal government website and consult the UC Office of the President (UCOP) NAOP webpage for information about acceptable forms of tribal enrollment documentation.

Applicants are encouraged to upload the required documentation as part of their online graduate application to ensure timely review of their eligibility.

Current students who believe they may be eligible for the UC Native American Opportunity Plan (NAOP), and and who are not currently receiving the Tribal Membership Initiative fellowship, should contact GEPA at GEPAFellowshipnoms@ucsd.edu for assistance with determining their eligibility.

Award Details 

The Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) will provide up to nine quarters of support in the form of resident tuition and fees, including the one-time document fee as needed.

The student’s home department will provide any additional quarters of resident tuition and fee support as needed. Departmental support may be in the form of student tuition and fees or employment fee remission.

When students are working as an ASE or GSR the associated fee remission meets the requirement.