Invest in Native American college students today.
Invest in Native American college students today.
Our Vision: Empowering Native Communities
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.
The 2026-2027 Scholarship Application is now open!
The American Indian College Fund scholarship application for the 2026-2027 school year is now open! Scholarships are available for American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing certificate, undergraduate, or graduate degrees.
Reclaim Native Democracy
Democracy Has Native Roots.
Democracy didn’t arrive here. It evolved here. Systems of governance existed across Native nations long before European contact.
Consensus-building, clan systems, women’s councils, intertribal diplomacy, confederacies – these are democratic structures.
The land itself shaped governance models rooted in responsibility, balance, and collective wellbeing.
The Native vote impacts our education, our lands, our health, culture and future generations.
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.
Because of You
Because of you, TCU faculty, Native students are learning, leading, and realizing their dreams. Your belief in them creates classrooms where culture and knowledge grow side by side. Together, we are shaping leaders who will strengthen their nations for generations to come. Thank you, faculty.
Our Impact: Native American Scholarships and Student Success
$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
20%
Fundraising
76%
Scholarships, Programs, and Public Education
A Commitment to Donors: The Most-Trusted Native American Nonprofit
Candid
2025 Platinum 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:
Culture-Based Native American Higher Education
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.
Recent Blog Posts
From Our President
Sovereign Nations Series: Flags Symbolize National Identity for Tribal Nations and TCUs
June 14 is Flag Day, when the United States commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag, reflective of the status of the U.S. as a sovereign nation. The Stars and Stripes, recognizable throughout the world, prompted me to think about the symbolism of flags and their representation of national identity, such as that the U.S. flag represents. Tribal flags are also representative of sovereign nations. The celebration of Flag Day a suitable time to share insights into our history and our contemporary lives as Tribal people.
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.
FOR STUDENTS
American Indian College Fund Welcomes 2024-25 Student Ambassador Cohort
Nine Indigenous students from across Indian Country were selected to serve as the American Indian College Fund’s (College Fund) 2024-25 student ambassadors. Student ambassadors gain valuable leadership and communications skills while working to create greater visibility of American Indians and Alaska Natives and an understanding of the importance of their cultures.
Programs
Featured News
Let’s Call It What It Is
American Indian College Fund | 2021 e-Newsletter | Volume 21, Issue 3 | Circle of Hope
Help Raise Native Voices on Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Join Our Indige-Bration Concert
This year to mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day the American Indian College Fund will host a live, online concert celebration, Indige-Bration of and for Indigenous peoples, featuring the music of entertainers from across the nation.
Back to School
It seems like just yesterday when last year’s school year started, in the face of great uncertainty. And now it’s time to return to school again. The pandemic situation is uncertain again, however, we have come through a year knowing what we are dealing with and how to do so, and we also know that education offers many opportunities for Native people, making this the BEST time to start on the path to earning a professional certificate or college degree.
Student News
Restorative Teachings: Embracing our Frameworks to Change the World
As we do more, we have to train others to take on more. These were the opening words of Tarajean Yazzie-Mintz, Vice President of Program Initiatives and Director of Early Childhood Education Initiatives at the American Indian College Fund’s 2017 Restorative Teachings Early Childhood Education convene in Denver, Colorado.
Meet Our 2017 Summer Research Interns
Pōsōh, māwaw new weyak, Corryn Besaw newīhswan mesek Wāqnemōhsaeh eneg, āēkaeyan, mamāceqtaw newīhswan. Hello everyone, my name is Corryn Besaw. My Indian name is Wāqnemōhsaeh, meaning Firefly. I am from Keshena, Wisconsin and am an enrolled member of the Menominee tribe.
Pathways for Minnesota Native Transfer Students
Three Native college students attending Leech Lake Tribal College (LLTC) in Cass Lake, Minnesota traveled to Durango, Colorado to visit the Fort Lewis College campus, a private four-year college that offers a tuition-waiver program to American Indian students.
News from our Progams Team
College Fund Programs Team
SIPI Engages a Virtual Dialogue to Improve Early Childhood Teacher Education Programming
SIPI Engages a Virtual Dialogue to Improve Indigenous Early Childhood Teacher Education Programming
The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute utilized its Ihduwiyayapi grant to consult community and Indigenous thought leaders to improve the Indigenous Early Childhood Education program curriculum and develop a virtual dialogue series of 4 guest lectures featuring Indigenous scholars and teachers.
American Indian College Fund’s Ihduwiyayapi Advancing Indigenous Early Childhood Education (IECE) Builds Community of Practice for Indigenous Educators
American Indian College Fund’s Ihduwiyayapi Advancing Indigenous Early Childhood Education (IECE) Builds Community of Practice for Indigenous Educators
The Mellon Foundation Awards $2,585,000 to American Indian College Fund
The Mellon Foundation Awards...
College Fund in the News
Tribal Colleges Brace for Disruption as Oversight Shifts to Interior Department
Why We Must Fully Fund Tribal Colleges and Universities
Two Indigenous College Presidents Among 2025 Aspen Ascend Fellows Advancing Family Well-Being
Institute of American Indian Arts 2025 Benefit & Auction Event Raises Record $1.2 Million Gross for Scholarships
