The Rodney T. Mathews, Jr. Memorial Academic & Vocational Scholarship for Morongo First Descendants January 15, 2026

Purpose

The Rodney T. Mathews, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program ("the Program") has been established to assist non-enrolled children of Morongo Tribal Members with the pursuit of their education through financial scholarships. Scholarships shall be awarded to eligible applicants every year if funds are available and are to be used for academic purposes. 

The Program contains a lifetime cap per recipient, which shall not exceed $200,000.00 in total funding per recipient. Recipients may reapply until they have reached the $200,000.00 lifetime cap. 

Eligibility

Morongo First Descendants are eligible for one (1) Bachelor's degree, one (1) Master's degree, and one (1) Doctoral degree, and/or one (1) Vocational Program, subject to Scholarship Fund budget limitations.

Eligibility Requirements

1.  Each applicant must have at least one parent who is an enrolled member of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. A DNA-based descendant verification letter from the Morongo Tribal Affairs office must be on file to be eligible for the scholarship.
2. For an academic scholarship, each applicant must be enrolled full-time (12 units or higher) or part-time (6 units or higher) at a postsecondary institution accredited by a recognized regional accrediting agency, (e.g., the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), or Higher Learning Commission (HLC), etc.). For a vocational scholarship, the applicant must be enrolled full-time or part-time at a vocational or trade school accredited by a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), the Council on Occupational Education (COE), etc.).
3. Each applicant must complete the Program Application and agree to the Terms and Conditions. 
4. Each current undergraduate applicant and current vocational school applicant must provide an official transcript showing that the applicant has a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.0. Each current graduate student must provide an academic transcript showing that the applicant has a cumulative GPA of 3.0. If a student’s GPA falls below the requirement due to medical reasons and the student wishes to re-apply for Program funds, the student (or, if under 18 years-old, their parent or legal guardian) may choose to consent to sharing a written explanation about why the student’s GPA fell below the requirement for the Program to consider granting the student an exception.
5. Academic scholarship applicants must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have financial needs as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
6. Applicants must apply by any of the quarterly application deadlines: January 15, April 1, July 1, & October 1
7. Quarterly tuition funding may fluctuate based on the number of scholarship recipients and available funds. 
8. All awarded funds must be used before the next scholarship application cycle (January 15, April 1, July 1, and October 1). There are no exceptions to this requirement, and unused funds will be deducted from the applicant’s lifetime cap. If a student is unable to use funds due to medical reasons and the student wishes to reapply for Program funds, the student (or, if under 18, their parent or legal guardian) may choose to consent to sharing a written explanation for the absence from school, for the Program to consider granting the student an exception.
    

NOTE:

• Recipients are required to submit official transcripts with final grades after each completed semester/quarter. If you are having an issue obtaining your official transcripts, please contact the Scholarship Coordinator at (951) 492-5318.
• Recipients must update their application upon commencing a new program.