The Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship & Financial Assistance (ONNSFA) was originally known as the Navajo Higher Education Office when it was established in 1972. The purpose of ONNSFA is to dispense financial assistance to eligible applicants who demonstrate a "need," based on income. The majority of ONNSFA funds are a federal P.L, 93-638 mature contract. Eighty percent of those funds are used for need based financial assistance with twenty percent set aside for academic scholarships and college developmental awards. ONNSFA continues to be called the "Scholarship" office, when in actuality, it mainly provides need based financial assistance, hence the name Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance rather than Navajo Scholarships.

ONNSFA-has established agency offices in Tuba City, AZ, Tsaile, AZ, Shiprock, NM, Crownpoint, NM and Window Rock, AZ. Each agency is authorized to award or deny applicants, and advise and counsel clients regarding their eligibility for financial assistance or scholarships offered by ONNSFA. All agency offices have access to the Student Information System (SIS) to track, award, and deny students so that decision can be made at the agency level.  Toll free numbers available at each agency office. A website is available for students to download ONNSFA forms, review the policies and procedures and eligibility criteria.

ONNSFA agency staff provide presentations at local high schools, chapters, and other career fairs held across the Navajo Nation to provide information on ONNSFA policies and procedures and other funding sources.