Tribal college and university (TCU) students and College Fund Full Circle Scholars attending college for summer or fall 2026 semester are eligible to apply.

• Tribal college students: Please use your TCU (.edu) email for submission.
• Full Circle Scholars: Only summer or fall 2026 semester students are eligible to enter.

All eligible students who submit a qualifying blog or video will receive a $25 gift card. Students may submit more than one entry but only one gift card per student.

All accepted blog or video entries are automatically entered into a raffle for a $500 cash prize.

Please submit your blogs and videos through the College Fund’s portal. All submissions are subject to review prior to posting to ensure appropriate language and subject matter focus. If a submission is disqualified , students will be notified and invited to resubmit.

Students are encouraged to share their honest perspectives while respecting the audience and intention of the project.

All written (blog) and video entries must be submitted between July 15 and November 3, 2026, to be eligible to receive a gift card and to be entered into the Reclaim Native Democracy Voting Initiative Raffle.

The Reclaim Native Democracy Voting Initiative Raffle will take place on November 3, 2026—Election Day! Four eligible tribal college students and three eligible Full Circle Scholars will be selected to receive $500 each. All seven winners will be notified by email and their submissions will be included in our social media posts.

The American Indian College Fund invites tribal college and university (TCU) students and Full Circle scholars to share their perspectives on democracy and the importance of voting. This initiative centers student voices and experiences. We encourage honest, thoughtful reflections grounded in personal understanding, culture, and community.

Submissions must NOT:

• Endorse or oppose political candidates or parties.
• Advocate for or against specific legislation.
• Include calls to vote for or against a specific ballot measure.

Students are encouraged to:

• Share their personal perspective and experiences thoughtfully and respectfully.
• Explore how learning about democratic systems empowers individuals and communities.
• Highlight the importance of civic participation, including registering to vote, staying informed, and understanding how public systems and leadership impact everyday life.

Submissions should focus on education, reflection, and personal insight rather than promoting specific candidates, political parties, or legislation.

✍️ Written Blog Submissions

Answer any or all of the following questions:

• Why is voting important to you personally and to your tribal community?
• In what ways do you see voting as being a way to honor your ancestors and shape a better future for the next seven generations?
• How does your traditional values and culture shape the way you look at voting and civic engagement today?
• Who or what inspires you to vote?

Guidelines

• Length: 400–600 words.
• First‑person voice encouraged.
• Can include personal stories, cultural context, or community perspective.

🎥 Video Submissions

Introduce yourself with your name, tribal affiliation, and school you are attending, then finish one or more of these sentences. This is a starting point and feel free to expand on the sentence with personal insights and reflections.

• “Voting is important because ____”
• “Voting helps my community by ____”
• “By voting today I am helping shape future generations by ___”
• “What inspires me to vote is ___”

Guidelines

• Length: 1 minute max.
• Orientation: horizontal videos preferred.
• Clear audio required (phone recordings are fine).
• Student must appear on camera.

Students may submit a blog and/or video.

Audio Tips for Video Submissions

Clear audio helps ensure your message is heard and understood. You don’t need professional equipment. The following few simple steps can make a big difference:

✅ Choose a quiet location

• Record indoors when possible.
• Avoid background noise like TVs, music, fans, traffic, or conversations.

✅ Position your phone close enough

• Keep your phone two–four feet away from you.
• Avoid placing the phone too far away across the room.

✅ Do a short test recording

• Record 10–15 seconds and play it back to assess quality.
• Make sure your voice is clear and easy to hear.
• Re‑record if needed before filming the full video.

✅ Avoid windy or outdoor locations

• Wind and outdoor noise can distort audio.
• If recording outside is necessary, stand in a sheltered area and face away from the wind.

✅ Optional: use simple accessories if available

• Earbuds or a small plug‑in microphone can improve sound quality.
• These are helpful but not required—phone audio is acceptable.

Video Tips for Submissions

You don’t need professional equipment to submit a great video. A smartphone is perfect. These simple tips will help your video look and sound clear.

✅ Frame yourself clearly

• Position the camera at eye level.
• Make sure your face is fully visible.
• Leave a little space above your head (don’t cut off the top of your head).

✅ Use good lighting

• Face a window or light source when possible.
• Avoid bright light or windows behind you.
• Indoor lighting is fine—just make sure your face isn’t in shadow.

✅ Keep the camera steady

• Set your phone on a stable surface or tripod.
• Avoid holding the phone if possible.
• Make sure the video isn’t tilted sideways.

✅ Choose a simple background

• Plain walls or uncluttered spaces work best.
• Avoid busy or distracting backgrounds.
• Your story should be the focus.

✅ Look at the camera lens

• This helps your video feel more personal and engaging.
• It’s okay to glance away briefly to gather your thoughts.

✅ Be yourself

• Speak naturally, as if talking to a friend.
• It’s okay to pause, restart a sentence, or take a breath.
• Authenticity matters more than perfection.

Voting Initiative

• Opens: July 15, 2026
• Closes: November 3, 2026 – Election Day
• Raffle winners selected: November 6, 2026

By submitting, students agree:

• Content may be shared on College Fund platforms (website, social media, publications).
• Their name, TCU, and submitted content may be publicly credited.
• A signed photo/video release is required as part of submission.

• Students who submit a qualifying blog or video will receive a $25 gift card per initiative.
• Each submission is automatically entered into a raffle for a $500 award.
• Seven students will be selected for the raffle award.

Students who would like assistance shaping their story or preparing a submission may reach out for support. Email publiced@collegefund.org for guidance and resources.