Our Work
The American Indian College Fund invests in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities.
The College Fund and its supporters uphold the promise and importance of educational success for Native people and all of our futures.
Students
The American Indian College Fund is creating a college-going culture and college success through funding and programs that increase the persistence and graduation rates of American Indian and Alaska Native students.
Scholarship Support Awarded Since 1989
Scholars
Served
Scholarships Awarded Since 1989
Direct Student Support Other Than Scholarships Awarded Since 1989
Related Program Areas:
Student Success
The American Indian College Fund works with scholars throughout their unique education journeys to build pathways to college and support their visions of success. We develop connections with tribal college and university (TCU) faculty and staff, along with high school counselors and teachers, with one goal in mind: to grow outreach and programming in tribal communities to help more Native students achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. In addition to providing Native scholars with the necessary financial support to access college, we also connect thousands of students across the country to resources that allow them to succeed once they are enrolled in college. Our scholars say the culturally relevant programming and student support we provide motivates them to plan for success. Not incidentally, they say our belief in them is the motivating force that keeps them working to succeed.
College Fund scholars who enrolled in two-year programs have a graduation rate 1.3 times higher than non-scholars and 1.5 times higher when enrolled in four-year programs.
of employed scholar
graduates work in
jobs that give back to
their communities.
Community
The College Fund supports Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in their efforts to strengthen education, Native communities, the environment, health and wellness, language and culture, emergent leadership, and infrastructure.
It provides awards to TCUs within these key areas, focusing on people from cradle to career. It also supports the success of the funded TCU programs through ongoing professional development, technical support, research, and networking opportunities.
Estimated TCU Capacity and Program Support
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Advocacy
We advocate for Native students, TCUs, and our communities in many ways. Get involved by supporting Native student access to higher education access, getting out the Native vote to impact education policy, promoting Native student inclusion and visibility on campus, and more!
Institutions
Cultivating Native Student Success
Cultivating Native Student Success provides tribal colleges and universities the opportunity to examine their current 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.
Estimated TCU Capacity and Program Support
Related Programs:
Strategic Enrollment Management
The College Fund equips tribal colleges and universities to design holistic, place-based, and collaborative strategies for transformative and systemic changes that enhance Native student achievement. Strategic Enrollment Management centers the student experience to foster a culturally and community-informed approach, ensuring that institutional missions and educational goals are met. This work focuses on improving enrollment, retention, persistence, and completion rates by aligning practices with community and cultural values.
Faculty
We support tribal college and university (TCU) faculty through fellowships, professional development, and scholarly research opportunities.
Faculty play a critical role in creating a thriving academic environment at tribal colleges and universities (TCUs). They teach, develop culturally relevant curricula and programs, support students, serve on committees, conduct place-based research, participate in community service, and serve as leaders at their institutions.
Estimated TCU Capacity and Program Support
Related Programs:
Support for Faculty and Staff
The College Fund provides comprehensive support in three key areas: Faculty Development, Professional Development, and Research Support. For Faculty Development, it offers fellowships for master’s and doctoral degree completion, including mentorship and networking opportunities. In Professional Development, it enhances teaching and learning through webinars, workshops, and writing retreats, integrating culture, language, and curriculum. In Research Support, the College Fund aids faculty in conducting and disseminating research, fostering Indigenous scholarship at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).
