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.

Since its founding in 1989, the American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native student access to higher education.

We provide scholarships and programming for American Indian and Alaska Native students to access higher education. And once students are in college, we provide them with the tools and support to succeed.

President Cheryl Crazy Bull of the American Indian College Fund shares how your support helps Native American students—and why it matters more than ever.

Celebrate Native Graduates Across Indian Country

We’re celebrating the strength, dedication, and achievement of Native scholars nationwide. Whether earning a diploma, certificate, or college degree—your journey is powerful. Congratulations on investing in yourself and your future!

Featured News

Advocacy Works: Save Pell Grants!

Your Calls Worked with the Senate.

Next Step: Call Your Representatives

On behalf of American Indian students, of which more than 75% rely upon Pell Grants for Funding, we thank you for your ongoing work to engage with your elected officials regarding Pell Grants. As a result of your letters and calls, there has been significant progress in the Senate version of the bill affecting Pell Grants.

But our work is not finished! The next step to save Pell is to push for the House of Representatives to accept the Senate provisions in the final reconciliation package by July 4th!

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 Angelena Cheama, Infinite Prayer honors Navajo weaving traditions and the strength of generational prayers. Proceeds support Native student scholarships.

Tribal College Blanket Design Contest

The Tribal College Blanket Design Contest, now in its seventh year, elevates the voices, work, and representation of tribal college and university (TCU) students through a high-profile platform to recognize and develop the work of promising artists through internationally distributed products—while providing TCU students with additional scholarship opportunities. The winning designs are featured in Pendleton’s American Indian College Fund collection, which features wool blankets. Pendleton, which has worked with the College Fund since 1995, has provided over $1 million in scholarship support for American Indian and Alaska Native students attending TCUs.

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

Indian Boarding Schools: Education Was Never the Point

What happened at boarding schools was not education. Native people have always educated— and continue to educate—our youth in our languages, medicine, soil management, forestry, watershed management, animal husbandry, meteorology, astronomy, navigation, self-governance, and more.

read more

Press Release

American Indian College Fund Student-Designed Pendleton Blanket “Drum Keepers” Available for Purchase

The 2023 winning Tribal College Blanket Design, Drum Keepers, is now available for purchase. The blanket is the latest addition to Pendleton Woolen Mills’ American Indian College Fund collection. The acclaimed lifestyle brand from Portland, Oregon has created wool blankets in partnership with the College Fund for more than 20 years. A portion of the blanket line’s sales provide approximately $50,000 in annual Native student scholarships. Pendleton also contributes to a scholarship endowment that, combined with the total of scholarships disbursed, exceeds $2.5 million. Trey Blackhawk (Winnebago) is a graduate of Little Priest Tribal College with a degree in liberal arts who is currently working on an applied sciences degree.

read more

FOR STUDENTS

American Indian College Fund Honors 35 Tribal College Students of the Year and Dr. Michael Oltrogge, President, Nebraska Indian Community College, as Tribal College and University Honoree of the Year  

The American Indian College Fund honored 35 tribal college and university students with 2022-23 Student of the Year awards and scholarships, and Dr. Michael Oltrogge, President of Nebraska Indian Community College, with its 2022-23 Tribal College and University Honoree of the Year at a ceremony held Sunday, March 5 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in New Mexico.

read more

Programs

Making an Impact: The Importance of High School Equivalency Programming

The College Fund’s Native Students Stepping Forward: Dollar General Adult Education Program supports underserved Native students to prepare for and obtain high school equivalency (HSE) credentials. This program addresses a critical gap in the education pathway that allows more individuals the chance to pursue post-secondary education and meaningful careers.

read more

Featured News

Student News

Traditions for Native Grads more than Feathers, Moccasins and Regalia

Last week the 2016 graduating class at Salish Kootenai College (SKC) celebrated its graduation. Located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, SKC has served the Flathead Valley since 1978. This year  the school awarded baccalaureate degrees in the arts and sciences; associate degrees in the arts and sciences and associates of applied sciences; and and certificates to 127 graduates.

Minnesota Tribal College Embraces Commercial Tobacco-Free Health

As an institution that seeks to honor and embrace their culture, Leech Lake Tribal College (LLTC) works diligently to model Anishinaabe values. In August 2014, LLTC officially became commercial tobacco-free, prohibiting use of all commercial tobacco products on campus other than for ceremonial use.

American Indian College Fund A Sponsor of 2016 Montana Tribal College Career Fairs

The college fairs give students an opportunity to contemplate their higher education and career options. The American Indian College Fund will be attending each event and will have scholarship information available for students, and is sponsoring a $500 scholarship for a luck winner at each career fair site. People can also visit with representatives from in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities, technical and trade schools, military branches, agencies, and career representatives.

News from our Progams Team

College Fund Programs Team

Spring Resurgence: GED classrooms open to students

The Oglala Lakota College Community Continuing Education/GED department is slowly transitioning out of online-only programming as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic lessen. Now more than one GED student at a time can be in the college centers, as long as there is still only one student and tutor per classroom.

College Fund in the News

Tribal Colleges Face Uncertain Future Amid Federal Funding Cuts

PBS News HourMay 20, 2025

American Indian College Fund scholar, Ella Bowen, and other tribal college and university students and faculty speak directly to how federal funding cuts enacted by the Trump Administration have had serious consequences and pose an ongoing threat to Native higher education in this piece by PBS News.

Higher Education for Native Students at a Crossroads

Native America CallingMar 19, 2025

At least 50 higher education institutions are facing investigations for what the U.S. Department of Education calls “race exclusionary” practices under the Trump Administration. President Cheryl Crazy Bull (Sicangua Lakota) of the American Indian College Fund appeared on Native America Calling to discuss the elimination of programs and initiatives that help Native students go to college and succeed once they are there as well as federal grants to higher education institutions.

Tribal College Campuses Are Falling Apart. The U.S. Hasn’t Fulfilled Its Promise to Fund the Schools.

ProPublicaOct 14, 2024

Learn why current conditions at tribal colleges and universities make it imperative to receive full funding to attract new programs, students, faculty, and staff.

Cheryl Crazy Bull Publishes Brief on Native Student College Access

The Campaign for College Opportunity has 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. This latest publication is part of the Campaign for College Opportunity's "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.

Jasmine Seeks Role as Voice for Her People and Environment as University of Michigan Law Student

University of Michigan LawOct 18, 2023

College Fund student ambassador Jasmine (Menominee) has long been an environmental activist in her community, which depends upon the environment for its economic livelihood. Today she is studying at the University of Michigan Law School to pursue a career as an attorney working in litigation and appeals after realizing that the aspect of the environmental movement that affects her the most is social justice.

Congratulations Dyani White Hawk

MacArthur FoundationOct 4, 2023

The American Indian College Fund congratulates Dyani White Hawk (Lakota), multidisciplinary artist and tribal college and university graduate, who was named a 2023 MacArthur Fellow. Read more about Ms. White Hawk, her prestigious achievement, and her art.