College Access and Success

We’re here to help you prepare for college, and be successful when you arrive. Check out all of our student tips and resources to help your student journey.

 

Native Pathways Guidebook

This culturally-relevant guide was developed to empower Native students to prepare, plan and successfully take the first steps of their higher education journey – with their identity firmly in hand. Helping students navigate school choice, applications, finances, and their first year at school, it includes contributions from Native graduates, professionals and artists.

Native Pathways Guidebook

This culturally-relevant guide was developed to empower Native students to prepare, plan and successfully take the first steps of their higher education journey – with their identity firmly in hand. Helping students navigate school choice, applications, finances, and their first year at school, it includes contributions from Native graduates, professionals and artists.

View the Guidebook

Schools and Native student groups can request hard copies of the guidebook HERE.

Tribal Colleges and Universities Exploration Guide

This culturally-relevant exploration guide was developed to help students explore the dynamic higher education opportunities offered at the 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities. The guide intends to paint a brief picture of each institution through its history, top programs, and extracurriculars, encouraging students to discover the tribal college advantage.

Tribal Colleges and Universities Exploration Guide

This culturally-relevant exploration guide was developed to help students explore the dynamic higher education opportunities offered at the 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities. The guide intends to paint a brief picture of each institution through its history, top programs, and extracurriculars, encouraging students to discover the tribal college advantage.

View the Guide

Choosing A College

Once you’ve made the decision to go to college, you need to decide which one is right for you. Many factors can affect your decision, including location, price, size and programs offered. Check out the following resources to help you make the right decision.

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Resource Guides

Find a Major
Whether you are passionate about helping to heal people in the health care field or working in environmental policy for clean water, your passion should be a primary driver in your educational choice.

Find a Major

 

Visiting a College
Visiting and experiencing a college campus can help you make a decision on whether that school is an option.

Visiting a College

 

Campus Visit Checklist
Visiting a college campus helps you get a sense of what a college — and life at that college — is like. This can help you decide whether the college is right for you.

Campus Visit Checklist

 

A Mothers Perspective
A mothers perspective on supporting the college process by Leia Fish (Blackfeet).

A Mothers Perspective

 

A Sense of Belonging
Read an article about finding a sense of belonging by Tena Bear Don’t Walk.

A Sense of Belonging

Preparing and Applying for College

As you prepare to apply for college, be sure to check out the resources by clicking on the drop-down menu!

Keep in mind, every college has its own unique requirements and steps to apply and be admitted to their school. Be sure to check in with the schools you’re interested in to learn more! Often, a great place to start is the office of admission.

Paying For College

As a college student, it’s important to have a good understanding of financial aid. While it can feel challenging to navigate the cost of college and your expenses, there are resources and financial aid out there for you! Learn more about them by clicking on the drop-down menu.

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Financial Aid Resource Guides

College Expenses – What You’ll Pay In Addition To Tuition

The main costs of attending college are centered around tuition and room and board. As you see in the estimated cost charts for a tribal college, state college, and a private college, the prices go= up considerably depending on which college you choose.

Read More 

 

How To Read A Financial Award Letter

A financial aid award letter or notification details the types and sources of funding available to a student.

Read More

 

Four Common Mistakes When Completing the FAFSA

Why should a student complete FAFSA? A student should complete a FAFSA each year to discover their financial aid options.

Get Started

 

Fill Out The FAFSA

The Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) determines your eligibility for need-based aid like scholarships and Pell Grants. It is ESSENTIAL to fill this out for EACH YEAR you attend scholarship.

Start Now

Scholarship Opportunities

Before you save money, apply for loans or get jobs – look to scholarships first. Not only are there many “merit” scholarships (based on your academic performance and grades), but many exist to also support specific fields of study or interests. Here are some places to start:

Tips On Applying For Scholarships From A Former Student

We asked recent college graduate Megan Tom to share her tips and process when applying for scholarships. Check out her helpful recommendations.

Read More

Money Management

It is also important to understand budgeting, credit, and debt management – to help you to make responsible decisions in school, and prepare for your financial life after school. Learn about the following topics in related posts.

What to Expect at College

You’ve worked hard in high school, applied to college and got into a school. But what does the journey look like now? Check out the following resources to help guide your first steps on campus, and in the classroom.

Student Development

Explore Development Opportunities

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Study Skills

No matter what your grades are, everyone needs some guidance to find success in the classroom. Here are some resources to help you develop the best study habits and skills you’ll need to get your degree:

What are Office Hours? – by Andrew Ishak

Time Management: TCU Video Project Series

Career Interest and Skill Exploration

Choosing the best career path for you can be a challenge. There are a variety of factors to consider: your strengths, skills, interests, needs, and values. To learn more about these, we welcome you to use a free resource called FOCUS 2.

Focus 2 is a space for you to explore your skills and values, discover possible career and major matches, and map out your next steps. Using a variety of assessments, FOCUS 2 will help you make informed career decisions and take action to plan your future.

To use this free service complete the following steps:

1. Register to create an account using this access code: collegefund

2. Complete each test- personality, interests, values, and skills- to build your academic and career planning profile

3. Print your profile to share with an academic or career counselor or mentor to move forward on your college and career path!

Register Here

Student Ambassador Program

The American Indian College Fund Ambassador Program was established in 2015 to strengthen students’ and alumni personal and professional skills and to represent the College Fund.

Learn More

Covid Resources

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COVID Pandemic Resources

Virtual College Planning
https://pages.collegeboard.org/pdf/virtual-college-planning-home.pdf

100+ Tools for Social Distance Learning
https://www.albert.io/blog/tools-for-distance-learning/

Federal Work Study Letter
https://bit.ly/33sOKCt

How to Cope with Kids at Home
https://bit.ly/35htAIK

How to Search, Apply & Network Online
https://go.aws/3aRYwBf

How to Vote by Mail During the Coronavirus Outbreak
https://bit.ly/2xJCm5m

Native Documentaries and Education Guides from PBS and VisionMaker Media
https://bit.ly/2xrBbYc

Virtual Beading Circles
https://bit.ly/2WGuN9Z

Native Coloring Pages
https://bit.ly/2VUuY0V

Mental, sexuality and drug addiction resources
https://www.healthynativeyouth.org/

NIEA PreK-2 Learning Activities
https://www.niea.org/pk2-studentcentered-digital-learning-activities

NIEA Grades 3-5 Learning Activities
https://www.niea.org/grades-3-5-student-centered-learning-activities

NIEA Grades 6-8 Learning Activities
https://www.niea.org/grades-6-8-student-centered-digital-learning-activities

NIEA Digital Resources for Learning at Home
https://www.niea.org/learning-at-home-resources

How to be a Successful Online Learner
https://bit.ly/38YTBga

Native Face Mask Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/856750661403515/

Census During Coronavirus
https://www.sgvtribune.com/2020/04/02/census-is-counting-on-you-even-during-coronavirus/

Ideas To Help Occupy Children’s Time While Parent Is Working
https://bit.ly/35B2Fra

CDC Guide for Daily Life & Coping
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Homeschooling Advice
https://www.today.com/parents/teacher-s-advice-homeschooling-during-covid-19-crisis-t176370

Free Resources to Keep Kid Busy
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristenmoon/2020/03/26/15-free-resources-to-keep-your-child-busy-while-school-is-out/#6d5eb0b6fd9b

Kids Activities Blog
https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/category/stuck-at-home/

125 Things To Do At Home W/ Kids
https://parade.com/1009774/stephanieosmanski/things-to-do-with-kids-during-coronavirus-quarantine/

Live Science
https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-kids-activities.html

35 At Home Kids Activities
https://www.devry.edu/blog/activities-to-keep-kids-busy.html

9 Ways to Keep Kids Busy
https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/9-ways-to-keep-your-kids-busy-while-you-try-to-work-from-home

Tips for Working From Home
https://www.fastcompany.com/90478087/got-kids-try-these-tips-for-working-from-home-while-theyre-with-you

Anxiety And Depression Association Of America (Adaa)

Depression – Types of Depression & Resources

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression

Anxiety – Managing Anxiety & Resources

https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/managing-anxiety

Stress – Definition & Resources

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/stress

5 tips Stress & Anxiety in College

https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/5-tips-navigating-stress-and-anxiety-college

Teens & College Students

https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/college-students

Depression And Bipolar Support Alliance
https://www.dbsalliance.org/

Google Suite For Diverse Learning
https://edu.google.com/why-google/accessibility/gsuite-accessibility/?modal_active=none

Cv19 Resources For Disability Community
https://www.accessliving.org/our-services/covid-19-resources-for-the-disability-community/

National Center For Special Education In Charter Schools
https://www.ncsecs.org/covid-19/

Advice To Relieve Stress For Care Givers
https://www.apa.org/research/action/children-disabilities-covid-19

Support Resource Webinars For Family & Education
https://www.cesa6.org/covid19.cfm

State by State Information

Montana- Online Learning
http://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Teaching-Learning/Online-Learning-Resources

North Dakota- Online learning resources and updates on Covid-19
https://www.prairiepublic.org/education/covidresources/

South Dakota- Online learning resources and updates on Covid-19
https://www.sdpb.org/learn/

New Mexico- Online learning resources and updates on Covid-19
https://www.newmexicopbs.org/what-we-do/education/coronavirus-resources-for-parents/

Arizona- Online learning resources and updates on Covid-19

Kansas- online learning resources and updates on Covid-19
https://www.kcpt.org/education/resources-for-learning-at-home/

Minnesota- online learning resources and updates on Covid-19
https://www.tpt.org/homelearning

Michigan- online learning resources and updates on Covid-19
https://www.dptv.org/education/resource-list/

Nebraska- online learning resources and updates on Covid-19
http://netnebraska.org/basic-page/kids/family-resources

Wisconsin- online learning resources and updates on Covid-19
https://pbswisconsin.org/at-home-learning/

Washington- online learning resources and updates on Covid-19
https://www.kcts9.org/resourceguide

Oklahoma- online learning resources and updates on Covid-19
http://www.oeta.tv/blogs/education/distance-learning-with-oeta/

Alaska- online learning resources and updates on Covid-19
https://aasb.org/resources-for-parents-and-educators-with-students-at-home/

California Resources For Family Advocates
https://scdd.ca.gov/

Iowa PBS Learning Program
http://www.iowapbs.org/education