Today, September 19, the American College Application Campaign (ACAC) is celebrating #WhyApply Day on social media. This event celebrates the college application season by sharing supportive and motivating messages. Hundreds of thousands of students across the nation will soon be applying for admission into a two- or four-year college and university. The goal is to have students, graduates, and their supporters share why applying to college is important. Here at the American Indian College Fund (College Fund), not only do we support Native Student Success, but we also recognize how tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) across the U.S. have played pivotal roles for Native Nations and their higher educational achievements. Which is why we thought we’d put our own twist on this celebration of higher education attainment that is inclusive to Native students looking to apply to TCUs.
Tribal colleges and universities were built to serve as culturally rooted academic institutions that transform and empower their tribal nations. We asked staff members at 16 TCUs being featured in the upcoming 2025 Tribal College and University Fair hosted by the College Fund, “What is your TCU known for and why do your students love it?”
The common theme expressed in their responses was that TCUs have a strong emphasis on providing post-secondary education that doesn’t require Native students to move away from home leaving their communities and cultural identities behind.
Brooke, a student at the College of Menominee Nation, said, “My academic journey is a testament to the transformative power of education, community engagement, and volunteering.”
Ethan, studying at the Institute of American Indian Arts, said, “I believe … these experiences give me the confidence to follow my heart and pursue my passions … to give back to our people and to the world that we come from.”
TCU students also said they love the, “…small class sizes which allow for more personalized attention from instructors.” A large diversity of enrolled part-time and full-time students is common at TCUs while maintaining an impactful student to faculty ratio. TCUs are not just a good fit for tribal students, but anyone seeking an intimate higher education experience. As Bay Mills Community College’s motto states, “You belong here.”
In honor of #WhyApply Day, the College Fund would like to hear from students, graduates, staff, and faculty of tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) about why others should apply to attend a TCU. Share your personal experiences, how a TCU degree is helping you reach your dreams, or how TCU students are helping their communities. Show off your TCU swag or highlight the cultural events on campus that add meaning to your education. We are excited to learn what led you to apply to your TCU and how you found the school where you belong.
And if you’re one of the potential college students preparing to submit applications, we ask you to take some time to learn about the 34 unique TCUs and consider one of their 75 campuses to pursue your academic and career goals!
