Short Answer Questions

Tips for The Full Circle and TCU Scholarship applications

The Full Circle and TCU Scholarship applications have an essay style format with three short-answer questions.

These sections are your chance to share your story and give readers an opportunity to see how a scholarship would help you achieve your stated educational and professional goals and require you to discuss three elements: an obstacle that you have overcome in order to get to where you are now; your educational goals and how this scholarship will help you achieve those; and how your education will help your Native community.

We recommend that you type out your responses to the short-answer question in a Word document (like this template) to ensure safe keeping if you need to abandon the application before submission.

To enhance this section, start by creating an outline of your thoughts and initial answers to each question. The outline does not need to look perfect, but it will allow you to start thinking about and organizing these questions and how they relate to each other.

Here are two sample outlines to help get you started:

  • A Visual Outline for those who prefer to see the outline as part of the big picture.
  • A Textual Outline for those who prefer a more linear approach.
  • Whichever outline you choose, remember that they are not meant to be exhaustive. They are designed to help you organize your thoughts and begin planning for writing your final responses.
  • There is no right or wrong answer for these questions, but it is very important that you provide a thorough response to each short-answer question.

As always, don’t forget to check your grammar and spelling!

NOTE: The short-answer section is ONLY available in the application, not in the profile. This means you must have all of your application ready (INCLUDING YOUR TRANSCRIPT READY TO UPLOAD) when you answer these questions; otherwise your answers will not be saved.

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News & Events

NYC Indigenous Food Event April 30 Features Five Indigenous Celebrity Chefs

NYC Indigenous Food Event April 30 Features Five Indigenous Celebrity Chefs

Hosted by American Indian College Fund to Benefit Native Scholars

Denver, Colo., April 16, 2024 — A world without chocolate, blueberries, or guacamole seems unthinkable, yet the favorite foods we enjoy were unknown outside the western hemisphere before 1492.

Indigenous foods have added delicious and nutritious dimensions to cuisine for nearly six centuries—yet if you had wanted to try high-end cuisine prepared by Native chefs, there is not one restaurant in all of New York City featuring Indigenous cuisine.

On April 30, the American Indian College Fund will introduce New Yorkers to Indigenous cuisine at its New York City EATSS (Epicurean Award to Support Scholars) event from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at The Lighthouse Pier 61, Chelsea Piers, New York, New York, 10011. President and CEO Cheryl Crazy Bull and her daughter and granddaughter will be on hand to discuss how a higher education is a revolutionary act for Native people along with their own transformative college experiences.

Raye Zaragoza of the Akimel O’otham Nation will headline the event with an exclusive concert for attendees and Native dancers will perform. Attendees can also shop original Native artwork created by students attending the premiere Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The following Indigenous celebrity chefs will serve up their favorite creations to guests:

    • Chef Ben Jacobs (Osage Nation), a nationally renowned chef and co-founder of Tocabe, An American Indian Eatery, the largest Native American restaurant chain.
    • Chef Andrea Murdoch Condes (Andean Native; Caracas, Venezuela), the owner of Four Directions Cuisine, uses food to trace her own culture while educating the public about the expansive world of Indigenous food systems.
    • Chef Bradley Dry (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) has been a chef for 12 years, cooking traditional Cherokee dishes. He specializes in preparing food for special events and people, including powwows, Folklorama, and the cast and crew of Reservation Dogs.
    • Chef Sherry Pocknett (Mashpee Wampanoag Nation) specializes in the Bounty of the Season, Native American Indigenous food, and New England cooking.
    • Chef Anthony Bauer (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) is the owner of Traditional Fire Custom Cuisine and has 25 years of experience in the food service industry.

Members of the press, please contact Dina Horwedel at dhorwedel@collegefund.org or 303-430-5350. To purchase tickets please visit https://standwith.collegefund.org/new-york-eatss/.

About the American Indian College Fund— The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 34 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided $17.4 million in scholarships and other direct student support to American Indian students in 2022-23. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $319 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of academic and support 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 and is one of the nation’s top 100 charities named to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org.

Journalists—The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.

Photo: Promotional graphic for NYC EATSS 2024.

The American Indian College Fund presented at the 2024 National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students Conference

The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) presented at the 2024 National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students Conference. Nicolette Weston, College Fund Program Administrator for Transfer and Admissions, partnered with Juan Perez and Joey DiTonno of the Tribal College Transfer Advisory Committee to lead a session titled “Building Equity and Transfer Success with Underrepresented Populations.” This was the only session focused on tribal colleges and universities in the transfer space and was well received with 73 registered attendees. Perez is the Director of Admissions at Salish Kootenai College and DiTonno is the College Registrar at Chief Dull Knife College. Both were thankful for the chance to speak at the conference and raise awareness of work being done at TCUs to help transfer students succeed.

Empowering Insights: Insights from an Emerging Indigenous Woman Leader 

Jessica Brunelle, UTTC, B.S., Business Instructor-Advisor 

2023-2024 Indigenous Visionaries Fellow 

My journey thus far has led me in multiple directions. I have overcome adversity and multiple obstacles to get where I am today.  As a young woman, I did not know what career path to choose. After my high school graduation, I was unsure of what to do. I decided to attend United Tribes Technical College for nursing and soon found that it was not for me. I changed my degree to business administration and graduated with an associate degree in 2012.  

I decided to continue with my educational journey for a bachelor’s degree, however, life happens. I experienced obstacle after obstacle and lost all hope at some point. I succumbed to my circumstances.  

But in 2018, I decided I could overcome anything, no matter my obstacles. I went back to UTTC and completed my bachelor’s degree in 2019. Walking across the graduation stage for my undergraduate degree ignited a fire I had never felt before. I went into retail management, and that field was not for me.  

I started a career with UTTC in 2021, and in 2022 an opportunity presented itself. My previous advisor reached out and asked if I would be willing to teach business courses. After careful consideration, I gladly accepted. My first day as an instructor was frightening, to say the least. I was full of self-doubt and every other negative emotion. But life works in wondrous ways, and I can say with absolute certainty that I have found my passion. Teaching is something that I feel was meant for me and who I am as a person.  

In 2023, I returned to school to earn a Master’s of Business Administration. I will complete the program in August of 2024 and will to walk for graduation in April 2024. This is a huge achievement for 15 short months, as it took seven years to complete my undergraduate degree. I was once ashamed of that, but now I embrace every triumph. Every challenge and difficulty I’ve faced has steered my life to its current trajectory. 

I give thanks to the TCUs for their contributions to my success. Education is the key to success. In 2023, I was selected to participate in the American Indian College Fund Indigenous Visionaries Cohort. This program has been transformative and awe-inspiring, and has opened my eyes to new perspectives and filled me with a sense of wonder and joy. To see other women Indigenous leaders aspiring to be their best selves is indescribable.  

It brings me great fulfillment to impart my journey, resilience, and optimism with each of you. I aim to serve as a role model not only for Indigenous women but also for my children, students, and anyone facing daunting challenges. Remember, you possess the strength to overcome any adversity. Believe in yourself, stay open to learning, adapt to change, and consistently choose the path of integrity. Embrace your authentic self, understanding the power of your genuineness in both personal and professional pursuits. Embrace your uniqueness, honor your strengths, and inspire confidence in yourself and others.