The future of my nation begins with my education.
The future of my nation begins with my education.
Our Vision
The vision of the American Indian College Fund is for healthy, self-sufficient, and educated American Indian and Alaska Native people.
Nearly 60 years ago, the Tribal College and University (TCU) movement took flight—born from the vision of Native leaders determined to reclaim education for their communities.
AT TCUs curriculum is rooted in Indigenous values, cultural knowledge is passed down, and students build healthy, stable lives for themselves, their families, and the next seven generations.
President Cheryl Crazy Bull of the American Indian College Fund shares how our work and the work of the TCUs have transformed thousands of lives—and how your continued support is helping Native students reach heights their ancestors always dreamed of.
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Indigenous Peoples’ Day is October 13
This Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate Native students, families, and nations whose traditions and knowledge continue to guide us forward.
Featured News
“Power in Culture: A Study on Campus Climate and Sense of Belonging for Indigenous Students” Research Released
Three members of the National Native Scholarship Providers (NNSP) group, which includes the American Indian College Fund, AISES, and Cobell Scholarship, Inc., collaborated on the research and release of a new study, “Power in Culture: A Study on Campus Climate and Sense of Belonging for Indigenous Students.” Indigenous students surveyed shared what factors make them feel they belong, stay enrolled in college, and graduate.
Tribal College Blanket Design Contest
The latest student-designed blanket from the American Indian College Fund and Pendleton Woolen Mills is here. Created by Diné artist Jenabah Yazzie, Infinite Prayer honors Navajo weaving traditions and the strength of generational prayers. Proceeds support Native student scholarships.
Tribal College Blanket Design Contest
The latest student-designed blanket from the American Indian College Fund and Pendleton Woolen Mills is here. Created by Diné artist Jenabah Yazzie, Infinite Prayer honors Navajo weaving traditions and the strength of generational prayers. Proceeds support Native student scholarships.
Featured Reports
Report on Native Higher Education Success Strategies
The American Indian College Fund held a joint convening with the Brookings Institute and the Institute of Higher Education Policy to examine the status of Native higher education policy and create a proactive, strategic approach to increase policy engagement for Native students and their allies. This report highlights the findings and recommendations of the convening and lays the groundwork for further activities. Read the executive summary, the full report, or view the webinar to learn more.
Cheryl Crazy Bull Publishes Brief on Native Student College Access
The Campaign for College Opportunity published “Ensuring College Access and Success for American Indian/Alaska Native Students,” authored by Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, as part of its “Affirming Equity, Ensuring Inclusion, and Empowering Action,” a national initiative that elevates best practices supporting the college preparation, admission, affordability, and success of minoritized students that came in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to curtail the use of race in college and universities admissions. The Campaign’s national initiative seeks to ensure America does not return to an era of exclusion in higher education.
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Despite centuries of trauma connected with education as an assimilation tool, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) peoples have remained resilient and advocated tirelessly to achieve equal opportunity in higher education, building a movement to restore Native culture and community life with the creation of tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCUs). Yet the participation of AIAN people in higher education remains low with 16% of AIAN people ages 25-64 earn a bachelor’s degree compared to 32% of the rest of the U.S. population. The number of Native youths in higher education is significantly less than that of the rest of the U.S. population and substantially decreased over the last 10-15 years.
President Crazy Bull urges all colleges and universities to strive for ensuring equal opportunity, inclusion, and creating a strong sense of belonging on their campuses, and for learning from TCUs to build education institutions that honor Native identity and empower these students to succeed. “Ensuring College Access and Success for American Indian/Alaska Native Students” presents the current state of higher education access and completion for American Indian/Alaska Native Students (AIAN) and details a series of best practices and recommendations that ensure AIAN students can succeed in higher education without abandoning their cultures. The brief also explores how leaders at the federal, state, and institutional level can ensure access to higher education for AIAN students in ways that affirm their cultures and the unique sovereign political status of American Indian and Alaska Natives.
Our Impact
$310.6
MILLION
Invested into Native Communities
159,652
SCHOLARSHIPS
Awarded since 1989
93%
OF OUR SCHOLARS
Give back to their communities
How Your Donations are Used
4%
Management and General
23%
Fundraising
73%
Scholarships, Programs, and Public Education
A Commitment to Donors
Guidestar
2023 Gold Seal of Transparency
Best Charity
Certified by America’s best charities
Charity Navigator
View our Charity Navigator profile
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
View our give.org charity profile
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.
Watch: Jasmine Neosh on the Importance of Supporting Tribal Colleges
Jasmine Neosh (Bear Clan, Menominee) is a College Fund ambassador and third-year law student at the University of Michigan. Live from Ann Arbor, she highlights the need to protect federal programs that expand Native students’ access to tribal colleges.
Once burdened by student loan debt and housing instability, Jasmine found opportunity at the College of Menominee Nation, where she earned her undergraduate degree and gained valuable research experience. Her tribal college education prepared her for law and natural sciences graduate studies at Michigan, equipping her to serve her community.
She urges College Fund scholars and supporters to advocate for Native higher education initiatives in Washington.
Recent Blog Posts
From Our President
If You Want to Protect Children, You Cannot Defend Mascots
Numerous studies, including ones conducted by the federal government, illustrate the harm of racist mascots, especially on youth. Team names and logos should be chosen to instill pride without dehumanizing people, ensuring the safety and prosperity of our children and the future of our communities.
Press Release
American Indian College Fund Extends Partnership with Dollar General Literacy Foundation
The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) recently received a $434,000 adult literacy grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) for its Native Students Stepping Forward (NSSF): Dollar General Adult Education Program. Celebrating its eleven-year partnership with the DGLF, the program works to increase the number of adults working toward high school equivalency (HSE) in Indian Country. With this year’s DGLF funding, the program can serve 10 tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) who support HSE attainment while also strengthening the whole adult education pathway. College Fund currently plans to select its tenth participating college in 2026.
FOR STUDENTS
Programs
Emily White Hat, J.D., Vice President of Programs at American Indian College Fund, Chosen to Attend the Leading Tribal Nations Program at Harvard Business School
Emily White Hat, J.D. (Sicangu Lakota), Vice President of Programs at the American Indian College Fund, was one of 76 participants in the Leading Tribal Nations Program at Harvard Business School in June.
Featured News
Defy the Storm: American Indian College Fund’s New PSA Addresses Challenges Indigenous Students and Communities Face with Funding Cuts
A “storm” of activity is coming from Washington in the form of funding cuts and executive orders, upending the lives of Native American communities and students; jeopardizing access to the funding, education and opportunity that helped create progress for decades to ensure the success of tribal nations, communities, and people.
Student News
American Indian College Fund Publishes Free College-Going Guidebook for Native Students
A free guide to help Native students seeking a higher education is available from the American Indian College Fund. “Native Pathways: A College-Going Guidebook,” available for download on the College Fund website, offers everything from considerations for choosing a college, an in-depth breakdown of financial aid, how to identify and create a support system, a glossary of terms, and encouragement from elders, faculty, and American Indian College Fund President and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull.
Why Apply
Today, September 19, the American College Application Campaign (ACAC) is celebrating #WhyApply Day on social media. This event celebrates the college application season by sharing supportive and motivating messages.
Empowering Students, Building Nations: Reflections from the 2025 CSSI Convening/CNSS Conference
This year’s convening was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when partners align with purpose. The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) and the American Indian College Fund (the College Fund) have long worked in close collaboration to uplift tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), and this joint convening stood as a shining example of that ongoing partnership in action.
News from our Progams Team
College Fund Programs Team
Diploma on the Wall
Jerome DeCoteau was one of the first graduates out of NWIC’s High School+ program several years ago, becoming a role model to his son Troy on the importance of prioritizing education. His son graduated from high school this year.
Oglala Lakota College and Community Programs Collaborate to Support GED Students
Oglala Lakota College partners with local tribal and state programs to support community members in earning their GEDs.
Triumph through Tragedy
A programs blog by Kathleen Baker, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University Business Faculty Director, 2024-2025 Indigenous Visionaries: Women’s Leadership Program.
College Fund in the News
Tribal Colleges Face Uncertain Future Amid Federal Funding Cuts
Higher Education for Native Students at a Crossroads
Tribal College Campuses Are Falling Apart. The U.S. Hasn’t Fulfilled Its Promise to Fund the Schools.
Cheryl Crazy Bull Publishes Brief on Native Student College Access
Jasmine Seeks Role as Voice for Her People and Environment as University of Michigan Law Student
