The future of my nation begins with my education.
The future of my nation begins
with my education.
The American Indian College Fund invests in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities.
Our Vision
Since its founding in 1989, the American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native student access to higher education. We provide scholarships and programming for American Indian and Alaska Native students to access higher education. And once students are in college, we provide them with the tools and support to succeed.
There is still time to get money for college!
In addition to College Fund scholarships, students can receive up to $7,395 per year in Federal Pell Grants for the 2024-2025 award year.
Featured News
Cheryl Crazy Bull Publishes Brief on Native Student College Access
The Campaign for College Opportunity published “Ensuring College Access and Success for American Indian/Alaska Native Students,” authored by Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, as part of its “Affirming Equity, Ensuring Inclusion, and Empowering Action,” a national initiative that elevates best practices supporting the college preparation, admission, affordability, and success of minoritized students that came in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to curtail the use of race in college and universities admissions. The Campaign’s national initiative seeks to ensure America does not return to an era of exclusion in higher education.
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Despite centuries of trauma connected with education as an assimilation tool, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) peoples have remained resilient and advocated tirelessly to achieve equal opportunity in higher education, building a movement to restore Native culture and community life with the creation of tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCUs). Yet the participation of AIAN people in higher education remains low with 16% of AIAN people ages 25-64 earn a bachelor’s degree compared to 32% of the rest of the U.S. population. The number of Native youths in higher education is significantly less than that of the rest of the U.S. population and substantially decreased over the last 10-15 years.
President Crazy Bull urges all colleges and universities to strive for ensuring equal opportunity, inclusion, and creating a strong sense of belonging on their campuses, and for learning from TCUs to build education institutions that honor Native identity and empower these students to succeed. “Ensuring College Access and Success for American Indian/Alaska Native Students” presents the current state of higher education access and completion for American Indian/Alaska Native Students (AIAN) and details a series of best practices and recommendations that ensure AIAN students can succeed in higher education without abandoning their cultures. The brief also explores how leaders at the federal, state, and institutional level can ensure access to higher education for AIAN students in ways that affirm their cultures and the unique sovereign political status of American Indian and Alaska Natives.
Our Impact
MILLION
Invested into Native Communities
SCHOLARSHIPS
Awarded since 1989
%
OF OUR SCHOLARS
Give back to their communities
How Your Donations are Used
4%
Management and General
23%
Fundraising
73%
Scholarships, Programs, and Public Education
A Commitment to Donors
Best Charity
Certified by America’s best charities
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance
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Tribal Colleges and Universities
Tribal colleges and universities provide dynamic higher education opportunities, most on or near reservation lands. Known for their remarkable programs, culturally-relevant curricula, and familial student care – tribal colleges allow students to further their careers, attain an advanced degree, or better support their communities.
Recent Blog Posts
From Our President
Press Release
Native Vote Week
The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) joins the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) in celebrating Native Vote Week. The College Fund is partnering with tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) to encourage Native students and tribal members to register to vote. From funding student-led voter education events to sharing videos of Native students and educators explaining why voting matters, we’re doing our part to ensure Native voices are heard in tribal, local, state, federal elections.
FOR STUDENTS
Orange Shirt Day
The American Indian College Fund remembers generations of Native students who were forced to attend American Indian boarding schools by marking Orange Shirt Day.
Programs
Making an Impact: The Importance of High School Equivalency Programming
The College Fund’s Native Students Stepping Forward: Dollar General Adult Education Program supports underserved Native students to prepare for and obtain high school equivalency (HSE) credentials. This program addresses a critical gap in the education pathway that allows more individuals the chance to pursue post-secondary education and meaningful careers.
Featured News
Orange Shirt Day
The American Indian College Fund remembers generations of Native students who were forced to attend American Indian boarding schools by marking Orange Shirt Day.
Century of Citizenship
American Indian and Alaska Native communities have achieved a great deal in the past century. Here at the American Indian College Fund, we look forward to what successes the future will bring as we encourage Native students, scholars, and communities alike to use the tools of citizenship to make their voices heard and their peoples prosper.
Student News
Orange Shirt Day
The American Indian College Fund remembers generations of Native students who were forced to attend American Indian boarding schools by marking Orange Shirt Day.
Native Vote Week
The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) joins the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) in celebrating Native Vote Week. The College Fund is partnering with tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) to encourage Native students and tribal members to register to vote. From funding student-led voter education events to sharing videos of Native students and educators explaining why voting matters, we’re doing our part to ensure Native voices are heard in tribal, local, state, federal elections.
American Indian College Fund Welcomes 2024-25 Student Ambassador Cohort
Nine Indigenous students from across Indian Country were selected to serve as the American Indian College Fund’s (College Fund) 2024-25 student ambassadors. Student ambassadors gain valuable leadership and communications skills while working to create greater visibility of American Indians and Alaska Natives and an understanding of the importance of their cultures.
News from our Progams Team
College Fund Programs Team
Making an Impact: The Importance of High School Equivalency Programming
The College Fund’s Native Students Stepping Forward: Dollar General Adult Education Program supports underserved Native students to prepare for and obtain high school equivalency (HSE) credentials. This program addresses a critical gap in the education pathway that allows more individuals the chance to pursue post-secondary education and meaningful careers.