Application Tips
Strengthen Your Scholarship Application
Explore these tips to learn how to strengthen your scholarship application.
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Complete the Application in 3 Steps
Once you set-up your profile in our application system, you will have to complete 5 steps BEFORE you can submit your scholarship application for consideration by the College Fund:
· Scholarship Application
· Extracurricular Activities
· Honors and Distinctions
In the first step, Scholarship Application, you will provide academic information such as your grade point average (GPA), school, major, and more. This is the section where you will answer the reflection questions, which are important for your overall application score.
While you work on the Scholarship Application step, you can save your work as a “draft.” When you have completed the Scholarship Application step and proof-read all your responses, you will click “mark as complete,” and then return to the application dashboard to complete the remaining steps.
In the remaining steps, you will add information about yourself, such as activities you participate in and any awards or distinctions you have received.
In the Extracurricular Activities and Honors & Distinctions steps, you will click on the green “+New Item” button to add a new entry. Under these sections, add as many new items as you like. You must add at least one item in each step. You can save individual entries as “draft.” Please note that the application will not let you submit if you have any entries saved as “drafts” when you go to submit. If you make a mistake, entries can be deleted using the “delete” button. When you are done with all your entries in either step, click the white “close” button at the top right, and that will take you back to your application dashboard.
The last section, Resume, is optional – but we encourage you to complete it if you are interested in internships or career development opportunities.
Once you complete each of these steps and have reviewed all of your responses, you can return to the application dashboard and click the green “Submit Application” button. The green submit button will only be highlighted and clickable if you have completed all the application steps. You must click on the green “Submit Application” button to have your application reviewed by the College Fund and to be considered for scholarships.
*** Warning – you will not be able to change your application once it has been submitted! ***
We are here to support your success. Please email us at scholarships@collegefund.org, or give us a call at 1-800-987-3863 from 8am to 4:30pm (MST), Monday through Friday, if you need assistance with your application.
Reflection Questions
The Scholarship application has three reflection questions that resemble mini essays.
These questions give you a chance to share your story. The reflection questions prompt you to discuss three subjects: an obstacle that you have overcome to get to where you are now; your educational goals and how this scholarship will help you achieve them; and how your education will help the Native community.
We recommend that you type out your responses to the reflection questions in a Word document or similar text editor. This way you can edit freely and utilize spellcheck or grammar check functions.
To enhance your responses, start by creating an outline of your thoughts and initial answers to each question. The outline does not need to be exhaustive, but it will allow you to start organizing your thoughts about the questions. You will need to choose your words carefully, as there is a limit of 300 words per question. It is very important that you think deeply about the questions and provide a thorough responses. As always, don’t forget to check your grammar and spelling!
For scoring, the reflection questions count heavily compared to other sections of the application. A high scoring essay will be clear, complete, and compelling. Thoroughly answer each question with the details of your unique story in a way that will engage reviewers. Pay attention to the help text below each question text box for additional guidance.
Formatting & Editing
These tips for formatting, editing, and proofreading make sure your application is PREPPED for excellence. You can apply these tips throughout your application.
Start with the basics:
- Creating descriptive and appropriate responses
- Writing in complete sentences
- Ensuring that answers flow cohesively
- Using correct grammar
In your Reflection Questions, Extracurricular Activity entries, and Honors & Distinction entries, use full sentences that allow your personality and passions to come forward. For example, if your educational goal is to complete a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and teach on your reservation, it is recommended that you respond with a full sentence like the one below:
It is my dream to complete my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in order to teach the next generation of leaders on my reservation. I believe that foundational life skills can be taught at a young age, and I want to be a part of empowering these learners through my degree.
Do not answer the reflection questions with bullet points or fragments. It is not recommended to format your answer like this:
- Educational Goals: B.A. in early childhood education, plan to teach on the reservation.
If you need help editing, just remember PREPPED.
PREPPED stands for Prepare, Readability, Every Question, Punctuation and Grammar, Passion, Examples, and Double Take. Here’s how to be PREPPED on your application:
- Prepare: Gather necessary information prior to starting the application. Prepare your response by thinking critically about the questions and creating outlines when appropriate.
- Readability: Do your answers flow? Are the sentences and thoughts laid out in a cohesive way that leads the reader through your answer from start to finish? Are there any parts that sound awkward or out-of-place?
- Every Question: Did your answer completely address a every part of the question?
- Punctuation and Grammar: Is your grammar correct? Did you place commas in the correct spots? Do your possessive nouns include the apostrophe properly? Have you used the correct form of commonly misused words, such as they, they’re, their, and affect or effect?
- Passion: Read over your words and ask yourself if your passions are evident in your writing. Are you writing something because you think it is what the readers want to hear or are you genuinely passionate about your goals and dreams?
- Examples: Did you provide specific examples to better explain your statements? Are these examples relevant to the question and the point you are trying to make?
- Double Take: Once you have gone through the finer details of editing and proofreading, ask a friend, instructor, tutor, or family member to read through your responses. Ask them to use the PREPPED checklist. After they have read them over and provided feedback, edit your answers once more to reflect any changes. Then go through this checklist one last time.
Congratulations! You are now PREPPED and your application responses are ready for submission!
Application Photos
The American Indian College Fund may use your application photo in donor reports, direct mail appeals, and marketing opportunities. Students will need to upload a photograph in their application each year.
Try to focus on the following things when selecting a photo for your application:
- Your photo or headshot should feature you above all else
- Your face should be clearly visible (avoid ball caps, sunglasses, or heavily pixilated or dark images)
- Headshots are preferred but full-length photographs are acceptable
- Traditional regalia is encouraged but not required
- Please have someone else take the photo and avoid selfies
- Consider the lighting. It is better to have light in front of you than behind you
- Don’t forget to SMILE!
Proving Descent
For students who are not enrolled tribal members themselves but are able to prove that their parents or grandparents have tribal enrollment, the following is very important.
The graphic below illustrates an excellent example of how to prove descent through a paper trail:
Examples of tribal documents may include:
– Official letter from the tribe stating the enrollment status of the parent and/or grandparent;
– A copy of the Tribal ID card;
– CIB (Certificate of Indian Blood)
Enrolling in Your Tribe
Each tribe has their own unique requirements and process for becoming an enrolled member. The best first step is to reach out to your tribal government to learn more. If you need help contacting your tribe, visit the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) website at https://www.doi.gov/tribes/enrollment to learn more.
As each process is unique, and tribes of differing sizes and administration have varying capacities to handle enrollment requests, you shouldn’t assume that your request will be processed quickly. Many smaller tribes with limited staff are completely unavailable to complete this work due to seasonal subsistence activities and other cultural practices.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurriculars are any activities that you do outside of your required schoolwork. This includes, but is not limited to, traditional and cultural activities, clubs, sports, volunteering, work/employment, faith-based activities, community-based activities, and hobbies.
Extracurricular activities set you apart from other applicants and increase your chances of receiving a scholarship. For these reasons, we encourage you to add a complete history of your extracurricular involvement.
Don’t be discouraged if you do not have time for sports or a dozen bake sales. The American Indian College Fund encourages you to think outside the box when it comes to your time spent away from school work. Many of our students are nontraditional students, returning to school later in life when they have full-time jobs and families. For this reason, employment and family duties can be Extracurricular Activity entries on your scholarship application. More entry types are:
- Volunteer and/or service-related activities
- Athletics
- Student Government
- Academic and Professional Organizations
- Multicultural Activities
- Employment
- Work Study
- Family-related activities
Updating Your Profile & Application
Applicants can view their profile and scholarship application whenever they wish. Students will be able to update their profile as needed. However, the scholarship application cannot be edited once it is submitted.
Profile – It’s important to keep your profile information up to date in our system. If your contact information changes, it is your responsibility to update your email and phone number with us. This is important, as we will notify students of awards, opportunities, and next steps via email.
Full Circle Scoring Insights
What happens to my application when I submit it? How will my application be scored?
When you click “submit,” your application is stored securely in the online application system until scoring begins. Students who submit their application between February 1 and May 31 will have their application scored by the end of July.
Applications are scored by independent reviewers who have experience in Native higher education. Each application submitted between February 1 and May 31 will receive three scores by three separate reviewers. We then take the average of those three scores to assign the application its final score. American Indian College Fund staff members do not score the applications.
For scoring consistency across the applications, all readers use a rubric system to determine how many points to allocate for various portions of the scholarship application. Higher scores are more likely to receive a scholarship. As a merit-based scholarship program, the rubric scores applications based on thoughtful responses and a student’s ability to demonstrate merit. The reflection questions are the highest scoring portion of the application. There is also a preference for students attending tribal colleges and alumni of tribal colleges.
Typically, scholarship awards are determined by the end of July. You can log in to your online application profile at any time to see if you have received an award. If the word “pending” appears beside the application, that means your application is still under review, so keep checking back!
We hope this has been helpful in outlining how scholarship applications are scored. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us by email or at 800-987-3863.
If you have additional questions about applying for scholarships, be sure to read through our Frequently Asked Questions.
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News & Events
American Indian College Fund Welcomes New Cohort of Faculty Fellows
American Indian College Fund Welcomes New Cohort of Faculty Fellows
Denver, Colo., August 25, 2026 — The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) is supporting six new faculty fellows with funding to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees to enhance the academic programs at their tribal colleges and universities (TCUs). Funding for this cohort comes from two fellowship programs administered by the College Fund.
Two faculty received College Fund fellowships. Gabrille Kennedy (Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan), general science learning assistant at Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College in Mount Pleasant, Mich., is pursuing a Masters of Science in general biology. She received the College Fund Master’s Fellowship which supports TCU faculty and staff accepted to or enrolled in a master’s degree program. Fellows receive awards of up to $25,000 for up to two years under this program.
Nyleta Belgarde (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa), arts and humanities faculty member at Leech Lake Tribal College in Cass Lake, Minn., is pursuing a Ph.D. in education, culture and teaching, with an emphasis in Ojibwemowin reclamation. She was awarded the College Fund Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, which provides TCU faculty who are in the final stage of their doctoral program with a one-year award to complete their dissertation and other requirements for graduation. The program aims to support individual faculty members’ educational goals while increasing the number of TCU faculty members with a doctorate and cultivating leaders from within. Fellows receive awards of up to $20,000.
Four faculty were awarded a Nyswander–Blanchard Pre-Dissertation Fellowship. Roxanne Frenchman (Oneida Nation), Assistant Professor of Business at Little Priest Tribal College in Winnebago, Neb., is working on a Doctorate of Business Administration; Rosemary Matt (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation), Native language teacher education chair and faculty member at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Mont., is pursuing an Ed.D. in educational leadership; Kimberly Pinson, early childhood education faculty member at Bay Mills Community College in Brimley, Mich., is pursuing a Ph.D. in education-curriculum and instruction; and Jenny Serpa, adjunct instructor and Site Manager at Northwest Indian College-Nisqually in Olympia, Wash., who is pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership studies.
The Nyswander–Blanchard Pre-Dissertation Fellowship supports TCU faculty who have been admitted to or are enrolled in a doctoral program and are in the coursework phase of their studies. The fellowship was established in 2012 with support and funding from then-College Fund Board Member Kim Blanchard and the Nyswander-Manson family. Fellows receive between $3,000 and $12,500 for one year. Funding must be used to cover expenses associated with degree attainment such as tuition, fees, and books.
About the American Indian College Fund — The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 37 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided more than $23 million in scholarships and other student support for higher education in 2024-25. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $391 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of programs at the nation’s 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators. It earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (Guidestar), and the “Best in America Seal of Excellence” from the Independent Charities of America. The College Fund was also named as one of the nation’s top 100 charities to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit collegefund.org.
Journalists — The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.
Circle of Hope Summer 2026
| Summer 2026 |
Circle of Hope
Education is our act of Hope
As a New School Year Begins, Opportunity Grows
As summer draws to a close, I always feel that excitement start to bubble – while some may be sad to see the end of summer, over the life of my academic career I have always felt the same anticipation and enthusiasm for that first day back in the classroom. As an educator and former College President, I clearly see the promise and hope in every single student who finds their way back to school.
With the beginning of a new school year, I am reminded that higher education represents so many things to Native students. While a college degree can open doors to careers and economic opportunity, some of its most profound impacts are harder to measure.
Education helps people find their voice. It builds confidence. It gives students the ability to step into rooms where Native people have historically been absent – and know they are where they belong.
Today, more Native people are seeking a college degree than ever before; and with the confidence only an education can provide, they are showing up and speaking up in every sector of society – as healthcare providers, scientists, artists, business leaders, elected officials, educators, and advocates for their communities. And, even more importantly, Indigenous knowledge and Native voices are being considered in conversations that shape our future.
This is progress – and it is not accidental, but pursued through intention, hard work, and commitment. Simultaneously, progress also creates expanding needs and increased hope for thousands more students who count on being chosen to receive support – which demands our innovative and creative response.
The need has never been greater. Each year, more Native students seek support than we can currently provide. Tribal Colleges and Universities continue to face funding challenges while serving as vital educational and cultural centers for their communities. And Native students attending non-Native institutions often find themselves navigating environments where culturally specific support has been reduced or eliminated.
The inconsistent environment we’ve experienced over the past few years has inspired me to think about growth and our future differently. We understand we need to invest strategically so we can accelerate and sustain growth for years to come, even when the winds of change are blowing against us. We must strengthen the foundation of our organization so we can serve more students, support more Tribal Colleges and Universities, elevate more Native voices, and respond more effectively as needs continue to grow at a rapid pace.
One area we are especially excited to expand is student support beyond scholarships. We know that receiving financial assistance is only part of what helps students succeed. Native students also benefit from mentorship, coaching, peer connections, academic guidance, and encouragement from people who understand their experiences. Specifically, Native students graduate at a rate 1.5 times higher when they receive these supports.
In recent years, we have perfected and expanded our Student Support model, which has demonstrated just how powerful additional support can be. Students who receive wraparound services along with their scholarship persist and graduate at higher rates because they have someone to turn to when challenges arise – whether academic, financial, personal, or cultural.
Because our model works, we are now expanding these services to reach even more students. Thousands of additional scholars will have access to the guidance, resources, and community support that help them stay on track and complete their education.
This matters because Native students represent only a small percentage of college students nationwide. Their voices can easily be overlooked. Yet when students are given opportunities to be heard, they gain the confidence to advocate for themselves, their families, and their Nations.
At the College Fund, student voices are at the center of everything we do. We see every day how confidence grows when students know they belong, when they feel supported, and when their knowledge and experiences are valued.
You have made this possible. Together, we have expanded opportunities for Native students and Tribal Colleges at a scale that would have seemed unimaginable only a generation ago. And together, we are building an organization capable of meeting both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
Thank you for believing in Native students, in Native knowledge, and in Native futures. Thank you for helping us build not only scholarships, but also the support systems, leadership pathways, and institutional strength that allow Native students to thrive.
As summer comes to an end and I feel the excitement build for the new school year, I also know we are far from the end of our journey – and I am encouraged, motivated, and energized knowing you are with me.
With heartfelt gratitude,
President and CEO
American Indian College Fund
Thank You to Our 2025–2026
Student Ambassadors
The American Indian College Fund extends our heartfelt gratitude to the remarkable students who have served as our 2025–2026 Student Ambassadors, whose stories we have shared with you over the past year.
Aiyanna
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and representative of the Muscogee Creek Nation
Business and tribal management major
Indian Nations University
Kianna
Diné and a member of the Navajo Nation
Master’s in Politics and Education
Columbia University
Alton
Yakama, Diné, and Creek
Psychology major
Northwest Indian College
Major
Wampanoag Tribe of Martha’s Vineyard
Master’s in biophysics and physiology
Georgetown University
Ashley
Big Valley Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians
Doctoral in nursing
University of California, Davis
Memory
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Master’s in Public Administration
Arizona State University
Christopher
Karuk Tribe
Legal Studies and Public Administration major
American University
Niagara
Navajo Nation
Psychology major
Diné College
Elena
Three Affiliated Tribes
Master’s in Geological Engineering
University of North Dakota
Nykesha
Navajo, Southern Cheyenne, and Cherokee
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Diné College
Joseph
Tohono O’odham Nation
English Major
Arizona State University
Sasha
Tlingit of the T’akdeintaan clan
Business major
Ilisaġvik College
These remarkable student leaders have shared their time and talents and have also courageously shared their personal stories that demonstrate the transformative power of higher education in Native communities. Whether speaking with donors, participating in events, or representing the College Fund in their communities, they inspire others with authenticity, leadership, and hope.
By sharing their educational journeys, our ambassadors help supporters better understand both the challenges Native students face, and the opportunities scholarships and culturally grounded support make possible. Their voices remind us that investing in Native students strengthens Tribal Nations, communities, and future generations of Native leaders.
To each member of the Class of 2025–2026 Student Ambassadors, thank you for representing your families, Tribal Nations, colleges and universities, and the College Fund with integrity, courage, authenticity, and generosity. Your leadership has strengthened our mission and inspired others to invest in Native student success.
To our donors, thank you for making the Student Ambassador Program possible. Your support helps Native students grow as scholars, advocates, and leaders who will create lasting change in their communities.
Congratulations and thank you to our exceptional Student Ambassadors. We celebrate your accomplishments and look forward to all you will continue to achieve.
Did you Know?
Beyond Scholarships: What Native Students Need to Thrive
For more than three decades, the American Indian College Fund has worked to expand access to higher education for Native students. Scholarships and support for Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) remain the foundation of this work, helping remove financial barriers while strengthening institutions that are deeply rooted in Indigenous cultures and communities.
But the College Fund recognizes that paying for college is only one part of the student success equation. Today, a growing network of wraparound services ensures Native students have the academic, personal, and professional support they need to persist, graduate, and achieve their goals.
The College Fund’s approach reflects traditional Native beliefs: a student is more likely to succeed when they are supported as a whole person. In addition to scholarships, we provide coaching, mentoring, mental wellness resources, career readiness programming, and community-building opportunities that help students navigate every stage of their educational journey.
During the 2024–2025 academic year, the College Fund awarded 10,100 scholarships, provided $22.2 million in direct student support, and served students representing 254 Tribal Nations across 45 states at nearly 200 colleges and universities. Since 1989, we have provided more than 181,000 scholarships, $207.8 million in scholarship dollars, and $390.7 million to support TCUs and Native college students.
Wraparound services begin long before graduation. Students receive personalized coaching that connects them with faculty, mentors, internships, campus resources, and career pathways. The College Fund also offers motivational text messages and emails, monthly scholarship and internship newsletters, workshops on resume writing, interviewing, networking, and financial aid, as well as graduate school fairs and employment resources. Programs such as the Summer of Success virtual conference help high school and college students build confidence and prepare for academic success.
Mental wellness is another essential component. Recognizing that many Native students balance family responsibilities, financial pressures, and cultural obligations while pursuing higher education, the College Fund integrates emotional support, encouragement, and culturally relevant programming into its student success model. This holistic approach helps students remain connected to their educational goals while honoring their identities and communities.
Research conducted by the College Fund reinforces the importance of comprehensive support. A study of Tribal Colleges and Universities found that student success extends beyond retention and graduation rates. Native students thrive when support services are holistic, family-centered, culturally grounded, and community- focused. The research also identified housing, childcare, and transportation as some of the most significant barriers students face – underscoring why wraparound services are essential rather than optional.
These investments produce measurable results. College Fund scholars enrolled in two-year programs graduate at rates 1.3 times higher than comparable non-scholarship students, while scholars attending four-year institutions graduate at rates 1.5 times higher. The combination of financial assistance, personalized support, and culturally affirming education creates pathways that benefit not only individual students but also Tribal Nations and future generations.
Scholarships and support for Tribal Colleges and Universities will always be at the heart of the American Indian College Fund’s mission. Yet it is the combination of financial aid and wraparound services that empowers Native students to persist, graduate, lead, and return home prepared to strengthen their families, communities, and Nations for generations to come.
Ways to Give
Thank you for being a champion of Native higher education. We encourage you to explore the various ways you can continue to support Native students to find what works for you!
Use Your Donor-Advised Fund
Recommend a grant to the American Indian College Fund. It’s easy – and quick – to make a designation to the American Indian College Fund.
Become a Monthly Donor
Sign up for the Circle of Strength Monthly Giving Program. As a monthly donor, you can provide a consistent and steady stream of support to Native students.
Donate Stocks
Did you know you can make gifts of stock without cashing them in? You could reap tax and charitable gift benefits and make a difference to an American Indian student. It’s a win-win!
Leave a Legacy Gift
Let us help you tailor your charitable gift to your financial, tax, or estate planning objectives. Visit https://collegefundlegacy.org/ to find the planned giving opportunity that best fits you.
Read Previous Newsletters
| Spring 2026 |
JUN 3, 2026
| Winter 2026 |
FEB 2, 2026
| Fall 2025 |
NOV 7, 2025
