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.
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.
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.
Visiting a College
Visiting and experiencing a college campus can help you make a decision on whether that school is an option.
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.
A Mothers Perspective
A mothers perspective on supporting the college process by Leia Fish (Blackfeet).
A Sense of Belonging
Read an article about finding a sense of belonging by Tena Bear Don’t Walk.
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.
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College Admission Resource Guides
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
- Full Circle Scholarship – The American Indian College Fund’s primary scholarship to support Native students in college
- Tribal College & University Scholarship – Tribal colleges and universities offer scholarships to their students each semester
- Additional Scholarship Opportunities – There are many other scholarships available to Native students, and those interested in specific majors and careers
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.
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.
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What To Expect Resource Guides
Student Development
Explore Development Opportunities
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Study Skills
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!
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.