Graduate Hours Fellowship
The College Fund’s Graduate Hours Fellowship supports tribal college and university (TCU) faculty who have a master’s degree and need graduate credits to teach in another discipline. The fellowship helps TCUs retain their qualified faculty and expand course offerings without hiring additional faculty. This fellowship is open to faculty at TCUs that define “qualified faculty” as someone with a minimum number of graduate credits in the subject area they teach.
Awards are made up to $15,000 for up to three semesters. The amount is based on tuition and fees for up to 18 credits. The award maximum is based on attendance at a public university and may not cover the cost at a private and/or online institution.
Our fellowships are highly competitive and we encourage you to review the application requirements as soon as possible.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a full-time faculty member with a master’s degree at a TCU that is a Regular AIHEC member. We also accept applications from TCU staff members holding a master’s degree who do not currently teach but have been asked to teach in a high-need discipline.
- Work at a TCU that defines “qualified faculty” as a person with a specified number of graduate credits in the discipline in which they teach. That is, the TCU requires faculty holding a master’s degree to earn additional graduate credits to teach in a different discipline. At this time, we are unable to accept applications from faculty who want to earn graduate credits for general professional development.
- Be admitted to or enrolled in an accredited institution that offers the graduate credits needed in the new discipline.
- Have a plan to complete the graduate credits (up to 18) within three (3) consecutive semesters of starting the fellowship.
- Obtain approval from their administrator(s) to have flexibility to complete their coursework within three consecutive semesters.
Requirements for Accepted Awards
Individuals who are awarded funds will be required to do the following:
- Complete all graduate credits within three (3) consecutive semesters of starting the fellowship.
- Agree to continue teaching at a TCU for at least one (1) year after completing the fellowship.
- Authorize progress reports and contact between the graduate institution and the College Fund’s Faculty Development Program Coordinator and Program Officer.
- Maintain regular contact with the College Fund’s Program Coordinator and Program Officer during and one year after completing the fellowship.
Application Checklist
Applicants must submit the following documents and information to receive full consideration during the committee review process. Please read the instructions for each document in the application portal before assembling application materials.
- Application form
- Personal statement
- CV/résumé
- Recommendation letter from chief academic officer or president stating the need for you to earn additional graduate credits
- Proof of admission to an accredited institution OR a transcript if you are already enrolled
- Academic plan
- Detailed budget
Selection Process
The College Fund and external reviewers will assess the quality of applications using the following criteria:
- Quality of recommendation letter and demonstrated need for applicant to complete graduate credits and teach in a new discipline.
- Ability to complete up to 18 graduate credits within three consecutive semesters.
- Clarity, quality, and completeness of application materials.
- Demonstrated commitment to American Indian/Alaska Native higher education.
- For staff members: the degree to which the TCU needs the staff member to become a faculty member and has created a plan for the staff member to teach once the credits have been completed.
Application Deadline
The spring 2026 application window is now open for fellowships that will begin in the summer or fall of 2026. We are accepting applications through 4:00 pm PT on Sunday, March 15. All application materials must be uploaded by that time, including the recommendation letter.
Click on the link below to be taken to our application portal. After creating an account (or logging in to your existing account), you will find further information about each required document and instructions for the people writing your recommendation letters.
If you have any questions or technical difficulties, contact Randall “RJ” Morin, Faculty Development Program Coordinator, at rmorin@collegefund.org.
