My Path to College and Medical School

Shelbie Shelder By Shelbie Shelder, medical student at University of Minnesota Medical School Boozhoo (Hello)! My name is Shelbie…

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with Us!

Since the early 1990s, November has been set aside to recognize the significant contributions of first Americans to the establishment…

#Indigetern Native Student Intern Stories — Anitra

#Indegetern is our new campaign to highlight stories and reflections of Native students who have interned in businesses, organizations, agencies,…

Sinte Gleska University Celebrates 35th GED Graduation

GED graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter for adult learners—one filled with increased education and employment opportunities. Family,…

TCU Faculty and Staff: Getting Published

You’ve just finished writing your research or dissertation. Now it’s time to get your work published! Dr. Bryan McKinley Jones…

The Benefits of a Gap Year (or Years) Before Medical School

What do some pre-medical students do during gap years before starting medical school? What can be learned during this time?…

Thinking Sustainably at Tribal Colleges

By Jasmine Neosh, College of Menominee Nation student What do you think of when you think “sustainability”?…

Natives Must Vote!

How Voting Matters for Native Peoples Voting matters if we want to have Native sovereignty and cultures and knowledge upheld,…

Student Self Care – Student Success

 Self-Care starts with understanding what nourishes you, and what exhausts you. Two College Fund Scholars – Marcus Red Shirt (Oglala…

Happy International Girls Day!

Did you know that 65% of American Indian College Fund scholarship applicants are female? Robin Maxkii is…

Celebrating Indigenous People’s Day

When I was in college, a guest speaker, a salesman, came to one of my classes.  He said that when…

For the Wisdom of the Children: Strengthening the Teacher of Color Pipeline

A child dips her feet in Wheatfields Lake on the Navajo Reservation at sunrise and wonders what lies beneath.  A…

Student Spotlight: Charity Valentin – American Indian College Fund

American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarship Recipient, Charity Valentin (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe) has three children and lives…

Make Your Voice Heard! Register to Vote!

Today is National Voter Registration Day. Following are voter registration and voter issue tools to educate yourself and help engage…

Show Up: Your Duties as a Native Person, From Citizenship to Voting

Elections for national, state, and some tribal nations elections are on November 6, 2018. While we have always…

Call for Proposals: SEEDS Program One-Year Integrated Grants

The American Indian College Fund’s Scholarly Emergence for Environmental Design and Stewardship (SEEDS) Program is offering four one-year, $50,000…

Student Spotlight: Alumnus Dakota Kahbeah

American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarship recipient Dakota Kahbeah is from Okmulgee, OK, and is a member of…

Language and Culture: Gifts that Keep on Giving

by Kayla Dix, Salish Kootenai College Indigenous Visionary Native Women’s Leadership Fellow, Kathie Maiers, Salish Kootenai College Indigenous Visionary Native…

Empowering Children with Special Needs — A Teacher’s Passion

By Joni Augare Connelly, Salish Kootenai College Indigenous Visionary Native Women’s Leadership Fellow, and Kathie Maiers, Salish Kootenai College Indigenous…

Statement on Forced Separation of Immigrant Children from Their Families

American Indians know the inter-generational psychological trauma that follows when children are removed from their families. Native children were forcibly…

Building Sustainability Through Cultural Revival

Guest blog post by Erin Griffin, Sisseton Wahpeton College Director of Dakota Studies and Ford C3 Project Lead Envisioning a…

College Fund Launches LGBTQ Awareness Initiative with Webinar Series

The American Indian College Fund created the LGBTQ webinar series to provide a resource…

Place-Based Learning as a Framework for Building Native Student Success

This is a collaborative series developed by the College Fund’s Environmental Sustainability, Native Arts and Early Childhood Education program initiatives.

Teamwork Helps Tohono O’odham Students Make College a Reality

A team of staff at Tohono O’odham Community College (TOCC) and local high schools, led by Daniel Sestiaga Jr.

University of New Mexico’s – Indigenous Design and Planning Institute

By Ted Jojola, PhD The Indigenous Design and Planning Institute (iD+Pi) at the University of New Mexico was established on…

WalMart Scholars Attend National Education Conference for Learning and Networking Tools

Walmart knows that providing outstanding students with scholarships is just one of the stepping stones students need to succeed. Opportunities…

Diane: Working for Education, Tradition, and Culture of Native People

Walmart knows that providing outstanding students with scholarships is just one of the stepping stones students need to succeed. Opportunities…

College Fund SEEDS Logo Symbolizes Stewardship and Growth

The growth and continuity of our home the Earth, as well as an eco-system, a seed, a student or a…

Restorative Teachings — Ojibwe Language, a Visual Canvas

I have always been interested in art and design since I was a young girl in high school. In fact,…

Dr. Cynthia Lindquist of Cankdeska Cikana Community College 2017-18 American Indian College Fund TCU Honoree of the Year

Dr. Cynthia Lindquist, President of Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Ft. Totten, North Dakota. Dr. Cynthia Lindquist, President of…

Caldwell: A Lifelong Capstone Course on Sustainability

Since graduating from high school my educational development has focused on forestry and natural resources, and my career in various…

Honoring the Sacred

 The word women in this blog refers to all women, including cis-women, trans-women and two-spirit women. Let us recognize that…

Celebrating Leaders of the Tribal College Movement

Itancan, Lakota for the one who is in charge. Bacheei-tche, Crow for the leader, the good man. Ogimaa,…

Expanding Culturally Relevant Knowledge through Early Childhood Conferences

American Indian College Fund Vice President for Program Initiatives, Tarajean Yazzie-Mintz and TCU ECE Program Coordinator, Cassandra Harden attending…

Navajo Rug Weaving: Learnings from the Loom

Bridget Skenadore, Project Officer of Native Arts and Culture at the American Indian College Fund, had the…

Traditional Native Arts Sister Site Visit: Sitting Bull College’s Skirt-Making Workshop

The American Indian College Fund has hosted their second “Sister Site Visit” on January 6-8, 2018. Renee O’Kimosh, Project Administrator,…

Traditional Native Arts Sister Site Visit: Learning From One Another

Master Artist, Joyce LaPoint leads the workshop on creating Faceless Dolls at Leech Lake Tribal College in November of…

Hosting Early Childhood Educators from Southwest University in Chongqing, China

Visitors from Southwest University in Chongqing, China and Professors from Western Washington University pictured with Lummi Education Director, Bernie…

American Indian College Fund Recognized for Outstanding Service to Public Education

United Tribes Technical College Spring Graduation on May 8, 2015 The NEA Foundation and First National Bank of Omaha…

SIPI Parents Learn Couponing, Family Budgeting Strategies

by Danielle Lansing, SIPI Early Childhood Faculty and SIPI Restorative Teachings Project Director During brainstorming sessions and meetings as part…

Inequity in America: Education Is the Answer

In his work, Why We Can’t Wait, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., speaks to the colonial roots of racism in…

Student Success — Giving Back

Black Elk said, “Everything the power of the world does is done in a circle.” Your education is part of that…

Student Success — Self-Care

Life is full of big and small stresses, often simultaneously. Stress can come as a result of trauma, burnout, compassion fatigue,…

2017-19 Native Pathways to College Bridge Program Grantees

In the spring of 2017, the College Fund awarded four tribal college and university grantees $50,000 each for two consecutive…

Student Success — Managing Your Time as Student

Time Management  “Why don’t these people hurry up and order their coffee?! Don’t they know I have an exam in…

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Scholarships

You can find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the American Indian College Fund’s scholarships below.

Money Management — Making Common Cents

When tasked with the responsibility of clothing and feeding family, paying bills, keeping the car fueled and running,…

Tips to Fill Out Your Scholarship Application

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Career Advice — How to Develop a Career Plan

Work is part of life. A career is a more substantial way of thinking about your employment path. That is…

Career Advice — Résumés and Cover Letters

Résumés Why Create a Résumé? You must create a résumé to apply for a job. This document is crucial to…

Career Advice — Professional Etiquette

Professional etiquette Professional etiquette is not just knowing what to discuss during a business dinner or how to address…

Career Advice — Interviewing Tips

Congratulations, you scored a job interview! Now what? The interview is your opportunity to show a potential employer how great…

Denver and Native Organizations Feed 300 American Indians at Annual Denver Elder’s Dinner

The American Indian College Fund honored Native American elders Theresa Halsey of the Lakota Tribe and Isaac Wak Wak…

#Indigetern Native Student Intern Stories

#Indigetern is our new campaign to highlight stories and reflections of Native students who have interned in businesses, organizations, agencies,…

Good Luck on Finals, Pathways Students!

We know finals are a stressful time for college students—we’ve all been there! But we also know you CAN do…

From Student Intern to College Fund Employee: Cassandra’s Journey

Harden representing the American Indian College Fund’s Restorative Teachings TCU ECE Initiative during a recent site-visit to grantee site…

SEEDS- Environmental Stewardship is an Inherit Right, Responsibility

By Kendra Teague, program administrator for the American Indian College Fund’s SEEDS program. “Patricia Monture-Angus (Mohawk) contends that Indigenous nationhood is…

Career Advice — Thank You Letters

Racial Slur by President Trump Not Acceptable

As the President of the American Indian College Fund I share that we have nothing but pride and…

Career Advice — Recommendation Letters

You will often be asked to provide professional letters of recommendation or a list of people to be contacted in…

Embrace Native Heritage Month

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on how important it is to be able to identify myself using terms that are personal…

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month!

Native American Heritage Month is a special time of the year for us when we celebrate our history and heritage…

November is #CollegeBoundNative Month

The #CollegeBoundNative Campaign encourages high school seniors to apply for college. Native Americans are the least…

Meet Our Indigenous Visionaries

Indigenous Visionaries: Native Women Leadership Fellows, 2017-2018 Enacting Native arts as a means of providing trauma therapy. Teaching the…

KBOCC: Building the Bridge

by Cheryl LaRose, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College Restorative Teachings Project Director “Elders are a bridge to…

In Memory of Karen Whiting

Lakota people believe that the place we go to on our spirit journey is a beautiful place where our ancestors…

1st Tribal Lending Builds Strong Future for Native People

Home ownership, like education, are considered to be both an investment and part of the American dream. But these paths…

A Life-Changing Summer at Beacon Lodge Camp

Cara Paolicelli, right, worked with counselors from across the globe, who volunteered their time to help those with special…

Leech Lake Tribal College Named Best Community College in America

When WalletHub announced its rankings of the best community colleges across the nation, many Americans may have been unfamiliar…

In Memoriam: Dr. Lynette Chandler

Dr. Lynnette Chandler speaks at an annual Flame of Hope Gala in Denver, Colo. The American Indian College Fund…

In Memoriam: Nate St. Pierre, TCU President and College Fund Trustee, August 13, 2017

Nate Saint Pierre, right, pictured with his daughter this past spring. Mr. St. Pierre passed away August 13, 2017.

Restorative Teachings: Embracing our Frameworks to Change the World

A Reflection on the 2017 Convening of the Restorative Teachings ECE Initiative Grantees As we do more, we have to…

A Video Message for Mark Zuckerberg

https://collegefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DINA-CCB_Zuckerbergs_July-2017.mp4 Greetings to our friends and supporters. This week I shared a video message on social media for Facebook…

Meet Our 2017 Summer Research Interns

The Tribal College and University research interns. Corryn Pōsōh, māwaw new weyak, Corryn Besaw newīhswan mesek Wāqnemōhsaeh eneg,…

Share Your Story with Facebook Founder to Make a Difference in Your Community

Mark Zuckerberg, founder and President and CEO of Facebook, visited the Blackfeet Reservation last week. He posted his impressions…

SIPI Parents Lead the Way

SIPI’s parents gather to collectively discuss upcoming Restorative Teachings activities. SIPI has worked hard to make sure its…

Pathways for Minnesota Native Transfer Students

Three Native college students attending Leech Lake Tribal College (LLTC) in Cass Lake, Minnesota traveled to Durango, Colorado to…

Teachers Learn Techniques to Bolster Resiliency, Foster Classroom Connections

By Alicia Allard, Northwest Indian College Early Learning Center Director Native youth often face disproportionate challenges in their young lives.

Where Do You Find Internships?

Sasha Rivers, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and a student at Salish Kootenai College in Montana,…

It’s More Than Just Telling a Story!

by Cyndi Pyatskowit, College of Menominee Nation (CMN) Restorative Teachings Project Director Through storytelling, the Menominee are keeping their tribal…

Protect Higher Ed Funding

President Trump is calling for significant cuts to the Department of Education for the fiscal year 2018 in his “skinny…

Salish Kootenai College’s Restorative Teachings Early Childhood Initiative Project

by Kathie Maiers, Salish Kootenai College Project Coordinator; Cindy O’Dell, Salish Kootenai College Restorative Teachings Project Director; and Amy Burland…

Why You Need an Internship

By Jack Soto, Program Administrator, Internships and Career Readiness, American Indian College Fund Internships are important help to students…

Indian Health and Tribal Colleges

Guest post by Mark Trahant The Republicans failed at their attempt to rewrite the Affordable Care Act. That’s good for…

Connections That Create Health, Wellness and Security

The Iñupiat family engagement event was held at the Aimaaġvik Assisted Living Center to celebrate the season with the…

What a Treat to See Scholars Receive Awards

Post by Kimberly Urish, a Major Gifts Officer at the College Fund Photos by Jason S. Ordaz – Institute…

Achieving the Dream – Developing Data Capacity to Increase Success

Andreanna Benally, Data Entry & Survey Technician; Terrence Tso, Data Architect Specialist; Velveena Davis, Executive Director, Office of Institutional…

Fellows Contribute to Sustainable Environment and Contribute to Communities

Our American Indian College Fund Building Sustainability Pathways fellows have a vested interest in environmental sustainability as well as…

BIMAADIZIWIN: “A Healthy Way of Life” Through Family Fun Night

    An example of a “Family Fun Event Planning”, is the engagement of a mother and son working…

Guide for Educators First To Feature Tribal College Professionals’ Work

Danielle Lansing, an instructor at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), a Tribal College in Albuquerque, New Mexico presenting culturally-based…

Are Tribal Colleges A Product of School Choice or Segregation?

Are tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) the result of de facto segregation? Currently in higher education there is considerable…

We Support Finding Solutions for Modern Challenges

Twilight view of Oceti Sakowin Camp near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation on September 24, 2016. “We at the…

Student Blogger: “Remin-icing or Reality?”

Author’s Note: This throwback tale is a testament of how things have changed and how they have stayed the…

Line Drawn: Standing With Standing Rock

by Deborah His Horse Is Thunder, Guest Contributor About the Author: Deborah His Horse is Thunder has worked for the…

NWIC Restorative Teachings Holiday Cedar Weaving and Storytelling Event

Grilled salmon caught by Lummi fishermen was served at NWIC family engagement event. On a blustery and bitterly cold…

Sunny’s Campus Visit Reinforces Commitment to Continuing Studies

Sunny is a student at Leech Lake Tribal College in Red Lake, Minnesota. Through the help of the American…

Early Childhood Expert Appointed to Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences

Tarajean Yazzie-Mintz is Co-Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and Senior Program Officer…

College Fund Expert Lends Voice to Cell Phone Debate for Young Children

Choosing whether to allow a young child to have a cell phone can be a difficult decision for a parent.

Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College Makes Beautiful Changes Through the Restorative Teachings Early Childhood Education Initiative

Boozhoo (hello) from all of us here at the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC). Fall is upon us and…

Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe Community College Builds Critical Partnerships Through Community Based Training Through Brazelton Touchpoints Center

The American Indian College Fund supports four tribal colleges in work to strengthen Native early childhood education under the Restorative…