| Spring 2024 |
Circle of Hope
New Roadblocks: Overcoming Obstacles to Higher Education
My excitement and hope remain high, but I must share with you that my fears for the future of our young people and how they are able to participate in higher education are causing me to have a few sleepless nights.
I so appreciate that over the past few years we’ve made some significant progress in bringing attention to the challenges marginalized people and communities experience in the pursuit of higher education – and many people have responded in positive and wonderful ways. I also know our pursuit of equity in higher education has never been and never will be easy, and will have challenges and setbacks along the way.
Certainly, the issues and delays with the new FAFSA process have been devastating to both new and returning students. Navigating this process is always challenging, especially for first generation students, but is overwhelming and a significant barrier to access when the process is fraught with issues and roadblocks.
Given the data we’ve compiled demonstrating the tremendous value and impact providing additional supports to students has on persistence, retention, and graduation rates, the overturning of affirmative action is also a significant blow to our scholars, who may need considerations around cultural differences and oftentimes require additional support services. This ruling has initiated a shift from an environment of responsiveness, support, and flexibility to one of “one size fits all” and the elimination of academic supports, and even culturally specific clubs and gathering places.
Most importantly, the ruling has created an environment of fear, which is leading to many levels of interpretation, particularly in
anticipation of continued efforts to challenge programs and services designed to support marginalized students.
It is more important than ever to stay focused, offer encouragement, maintain support levels for our scholars, and insert ourselves in as many important conversations as we can. And it is very important to keep you, our closest friends and relatives, informed about the consequences, both intentional and unintentional, on the work we do together in support of both our students and colleges.
On those sleepless nights, you are my inspiration and hope. I know you are walking beside me, and you have confidence and trust in me – that I will work tirelessly to find the best path forward to achieving our goals to support students in bringing their hopes and dreams to life in their communities. Your support fills my heart and gives me strength to continue the fight, even when it is hard, and the path isn’t clear. Thank you, my friends and relatives, for your caring, trust, and constant presence.
FAFSA Overhaul Causes Delays, Concerns for Native Students
Each year, millions of students complete the FAFSA to enable their colleges to assess their educational costs and financial aid eligibility. Among these students, Pell grant recipients are a key indicator of financial need. In the 2020-2021 academic year, 73% of tribal college undergraduates received Federal Pell grants, highlighting the reliance on federal aid to fund their education.
The delays caused by glitches in the FAFSA application have been particularly concerning. Native students faced errors and difficulties accessing aid until mid-January, jeopardizing their college enrollment plans.
Furthermore, the Department of Education’s announcement in early February revealed that schools and aid agencies wouldn’t receive FAFSA information until mid-March. This delay leaves college applicants with a compressed timeline for making crucial decisions about their education.
Why does this matter? With less time for colleges to calculate financial aid packages, students face increased uncertainty about their aid eligibility and the affordability of their chosen schools.
Today, we ask for your support in three ways:
Contact Your
Federal Representatives:
Join us in urging
federal elected officials
to address FAFSA
issues.
Engange with
State Officials
Advocate for state institutions to provide comprehensive information on financial aid options.
Continue to Support the American Indian College Fund
so we can provide more deserving Indigenous students with a college education.
Together, let’s work towards a fair and accessible financial aid system that ensures every student can achieve their educational aspirations.
Trailblazers in Law:
American Indian College Fund Scholarship Recipients – Legal Scholars and Practitioners
The delays caused by glitches in the FAFSA application have been particularly concerning. Native students faced errors and difficulties accessing aid until mid-January, jeopardizing their college enrollment plans.
Furthermore, the Department of Education’s announcement in early February revealed that schools and aid agencies wouldn’t receive FAFSA information until mid-March. This delay leaves college applicants with a compressed timeline for making crucial decisions about their education.
Why does this matter? With less time for colleges to calculate financial aid packages, students face increased uncertainty about their aid eligibility and the affordability of their chosen schools.
Samuel (Crow)
Dartmouth, Wisconsin Law
Senior Counselor to Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs
Department of Interior
Joaquin (Jicarilla Apache Nation)
Sturm College of Law, Denver University
Special Assistant to Assistant Secretary
Department of Interior
Jasmine (Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin)
University of Michigan Law School (JD)
University of Michigan School for the Environment and Sustainability (MS Environmental Justice)
Katie (Cherokee Nation)
Yale Law School
Tribal Counsel – Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Samantha (Aquinnah Wampanoag)
Harvard Law School
Clerkship US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Jacob (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma)
University of Notre Dame
Joanne (Northfork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California)
University of California – Davis
Sabrina (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin)
University of Tennessee – Knoxville
Samantha (Cherokee Nation)
Arizona State University
Carrington (Cherokee Nation)
Washington University – St. Louis
Weston (Oglala Sioux Tribe)
Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Michaela (Cherokee Nation)
University of Arkansas – Fayetteville
Abigail (Potawatomi Nation)
University of Texas at Austin
New Pendleton Blanket Designed by College Fund Scholar
“Drum Keepers” is available for purchase at pendleton-usa.com
Traditional songs were the inspiration for Blackhawk’s design “Drum Keepers,” which he said holds meaning for all tribes, as each uses the drum in some way. “I want to keep the songs alive that have been sung for many generations in our tribe. There are not many of us that sing, and I wanted to be a part of that percentage that carries on the knowledge of these songs we sing. I tell the younger generation to start learning how to sing and know these songs, as these songs make us who we are.”
Furthermore, the Department of Education’s announcement in early February revealed that schools and aid agencies wouldn’t receive FAFSA information until mid-March. This delay leaves college applicants with a compressed timeline for making crucial decisions about their education.
Why does this matter? With less time for colleges to calculate financial aid packages, students face increased uncertainty about their aid eligibility and the affordability of their chosen schools.