Advocacy
The American Indian College Fund is committed to advocating for Native students, tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), and Indigenous communities. We believe that empowering individuals, institutions, and communities through education is a critical step toward a more equitable future. This page highlights our advocacy efforts and shows you how you can get involved to support these vital initiatives.
Featured News
Thank You for Your Advocacy!
On behalf of American Indian students, of which more than 75% rely upon Pell Grants for Funding, we thank you for your ongoing work to engage with your elected officials regarding Pell Grants. As a result of your letters and calls, there has been significant progress in the Senate version of the bill affecting Pell Grants.
The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) reports the Senate education committee has not proposed any changes to student eligibility for the Pell Grant program. Instead, the Senate bill draft includes provisions to strengthen the Pell Grant program by providing additional funding and expanding access to the program to workforce-focused programs.
Although this is encouraging news, our work is not over. We will continue to monitor the process with AIHEC closely as the bill moves toward conference negotiations to ensure these provisions remain intact. We will continue to inform you here and on our social media channels about actions you can take to ensure all American Indian and Alaska Native students have access to a higher education.
In the meantime, here are the key highlights of the Senate Bill:
-
- No Changes to Eligibility: Unlike the House bill, the Senate draft does not increase credit hour requirements or restrict part-time student eligibility—both of which would have impacted nearly 70% of TCU Pell recipients.
- Additional Funding: The bill provides $10.5 billion in new Pell funding for FY2026 to address a projected shortfall.
- Expanded Access: Pell Grants will expand to include short-term, workforce-focused training programs that meet specific outcome standards. This provision broadens opportunities for job-aligned education.
Watch: Jasmine Neosh on the Importance of Supporting Tribal Colleges
Jasmine Neosh (Bear Clan, Menominee) is a College Fund ambassador and third-year law student at the University of Michigan. Live from Ann Arbor, she highlights the need to protect federal programs that expand Native students’ access to tribal colleges.
Once burdened by student loan debt and housing instability, Jasmine found opportunity at the College of Menominee Nation, where she earned her undergraduate degree and gained valuable research experience. Her tribal college education prepared her for law and natural sciences graduate studies at Michigan, equipping her to serve her community.
She urges College Fund scholars and supporters to advocate for Native higher education initiatives in Washington. Read Jasmine’s blog TCU Set Stage for Student’s Success at University of Michigan.
Rooted In Knowledge Video Series:
What Is a TCU?
Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) are accredited institutions of higher learning that offer an affordable cultural and community-based education. TCUs are founded by tribes and are mostly located on tribal lands in remote, rural communities.
Get Involved: Ways You Can Make a Difference
Read our latest blog posts to learn how you can help advocate for Native students and Tribal Colleges. Learn about the challenges faced by Indigenous communities and find out how students, faculty, and supporters can make a direct impact. Together, we can amplify Native voices and advocate for meaningful change.
Urgent! Oppose Cuts to Pell Grant Program!
The American Indian College Fund joins the National College Access Network to urge higher education allies to oppose massive cuts to the Pell Grant program that will fund tax cuts for the wealthy and increase our national debt.
Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Survivors and Descendants of Boarding Schools
We are learning when the U.S. government entered into trust and treaty relationships with Indians Tribes as sovereign nations, the federal government instead used much of the money held in trust for Native people to forcibly relocate their children to boarding schools.
In the Media: Advocacy in Action
Our advocacy efforts are making waves across the media. From policy discussions to stories about the success of Native students, see how the College Fund is shaping the national conversation. Check out our Media Mentions page to read about our latest appearances and contributions in the press.
Save The Department of Education
The Trump Administration is said to be preparing an Executive Order to abolish the Department of Education. Meanwhile H.R. 899 was reintroduced in the House of Representatives on January 31, 2025, composed of one sentence, “The Department of Education shall terminate on December 31, 2026.”
To help, all you need to do is make a few quick phone calls.
Follow these steps and call TODAY.
1. Call your elected representative and senators at their Congressional Offices and ask for their Legislative Director. To find your representative and senators, use the USA Gov tool.
2. Use this script for each call to your representative and senators:
-
-
-
- Hello, my name is (blank). My zip code is (tell them your zip code). I am in full support of the Department of Education and oppose any legislation, including H.R. 899, or other efforts by the executive branch to abolish the Department of Education.
- Eliminating the Department of Education would devastate public schools, hurt students with disabilities, strip away civil rights protections for millions of students, and eliminate crucial workforce development programs that boost our economy. Education is a fundamental right, not a privilege for the wealthy.
- Thank you for your time! I appreciate your help.
IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.
-
-
Register to Vote Today
Polls show Native people are most concerned with the high rate of MMIW, environmental protections, and economic development. Voting provides the opportunity to elect leaders who will address these issues and work with the U.S. Congress to appropriate funds for issues impacting Indian Country.
Acknowledge the Land
We honor and acknowledge that the American Indian College Fund is on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Nations. This area was also the site of trading, hunting, gathering, and healing for many other Native Nations: The Lakota, Ute, Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, Shoshone, and others.
We recognize the Indigenous peoples as the original stewards of the land, water, plants, and animals who called this place home. As these words of acknowledgement are spoken and heard, the ties that these nations have to their traditional homelands are renewed and reaffirmed.
Our mission is to ensure every Native student who wants to pursue higher education has the ability and the support to be successful. We do this so Native communities can heal and move forward in a self-sufficient manner.
Make a Statement
Deepen Your Knowledge
There has never been a better or more important time to deepen your knowledge of Native issues, to honor the contributions of our people, to confront the darker parts of our past, or to use your voice to amplify ours! So many people are already doing this and in doing so, are helping ensure a future of greater equity for Native people is on the horizon.
Statements on Affirmative Action
National Native Scholarship Providers Statement on Affirmative Action
The four organizations that comprise the National Native Scholarships Providers (the American Indian College Fund, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, the Cobell Scholarship Program administered by Indigenous Education, Inc., and Native Forward Scholars Fund) are disheartened by the June 29th Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action and the potential impact it may have on our scholars.
The American Indian College Fund is honored by the ongoing public support of our mission and work.
Michelle Obama referenced us as one of the organizations that has long advocated for equity and fairness in higher education. Read about her own academic journey and the importance of affirmative action.
BeyGOOD, the public charity foundation founded by Beyonce Knowles-Carter, encourages supporting students and organizations that advocate on behalf of students.
