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
4960+
34
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.
(DRUM) Circles Project
TCU Developing Research in Undergraduate Mathematics
WestEd and the American Indian College Fund have partnered to create greater math success for Native students studying at tribal colleges.
Institutions News
Read blog updates from our institutions teams
College Fund Hosts Indigenous Cooking Event with Premier Denver Chefs
Denver’s rich Native American history stretches back 13,000 years. Once the winter home of the Arapaho and a bustling trade center prior to the gold rush, today Denver is ranked as one of America’s best cities to live and is home to a burgeoning restaurant scene.
SIPI Utilizes Online Learning Communities to Enrich Teacher Training
For SIPI’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) students earning an associate degree, the curriculum provides practicum experience for students in both infant and toddler classrooms. SIPI’s Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) serves as both the lab school for the program and the site for student practicums.
Dollar General Grantees Delve into Community for Holistic GED/HSE Certification
Tribal College and University (TCU) grantees of the Dollar General American Indian and Alaska Native Literacy and Adult Education Program have the common objectives of serving more GED/Highschool Equivalency (HSE) students than previous years and, ultimately, helping more American Indians obtain their GED/HSE certificates.
College Fund Scholar Publishes Article about How Labels Can Create Harm
Society often imposes labels on us. We embrace some labels, but many are obstacles. Justina, a College Fund scholar and student ambassador, is part of Diet Coke’s national [unlabeled] campaign. She shares with Teen Vogue how she is taking control of her narrative and speaking out against stereotypes and labels because she they are harmful.

