Institutions

The College Fund supports Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in their efforts to strengthen students, emergent leadership, education, language and culture, health and wellness, the environment, and so much more, all moving our mission of transforming Native lives and communities.

Our work in partnership with TCUs focuses on supporting our relatives from cradle to career and beyond. This institutional capacity-building work consists of supporting TCU grantee partners in co-visioning programming, technical support, professional development, research and networking opportunities, and program elements that directly support students’ and communities’ needs.

Cultivating Native Student Success

Cultivating Native Student Success provides tribal colleges and universities the opportunity to examine their current enrollment management approaches and design long-term strategies that include holistic, place-based, and collaborative student supports to promote transformative and systemic change that impacts Native student success.

2025 Cultivating Native Student Success Convening

The American Indian College Fund and AIHEC are excited to host an opportunity to learn, network, and advance TCU Native Student Success.

Native higher education experts, organization partners, and TCU staff will come together to engage in discussions, workshops and breakout sessions about the Native student journey, strategic enrollment management, data storytelling, and the constantly evolving landscape of higher education.

TCU Programs

Our Programs, in partnership with TCUs, strengthen degree programs, support faculty and staff, prioritize students, and engage tribal nation communities across several program areas of targeted impact: Native Arts, Environmental Stewardship, Computer Science, Indigenous Early Childhood Education, Native Teacher Education, Adult Education, Women’s Leadership, Native Student Veterans, and more.

Programs TCU Capacity Support and Impact
2023-2024 Data

$12.9+
MILLION

In Scholarships Awarded

4960+

Recipient Students

34

Recipient TCUs

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.

Institutions News

Read blog updates from our institutions teams

Bringing Native Voices to the National Conversation

Bringing Native Voices to the National Conversation

For Women’s History Month, the American Indian College Fund is featuring blogs about and by several of our outstanding scholars. This week we’d like you to meet Harley-Daniel Interpreter (Diné). Harley is an American Indian College Fund Indigenous Visionary Fellow who attends Diné College. For her fellowship, she is working on the Voter Educational Forum, a student-led event to inform and educate her tribal members about voting as a fundamental responsibility.

President Cheryl Crazy Bull of American Indian College Fund: Statement About the Washington Commanders Football Team Name Change

President Cheryl Crazy Bull of American Indian College Fund: Statement About the Washington Commanders Football Team Name Change

I can’t think of a better metaphor for the need for respectful visibility of Native people in America than the Washington football team’s announcement that it will be changing its name to the Commanders—on Groundhog Day. At the American Indian College Fund, we are relieved that the Washington team has finally changed its former offensive name.