The future of my nation begins with my education.
The future of my nation begins with my education.
Our Vision
The vision of the American Indian College Fund is for healthy, self-sufficient, and educated American Indian and Alaska Native people.
Since its founding in 1989, the American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native student access to higher education.
We provide scholarships and programming for American Indian and Alaska Native students to access higher education. And once students are in college, we provide them with the tools and support to succeed.
President Cheryl Crazy Bull of the American Indian College Fund shares how your support helps Native American students—and why it matters more than ever.
Our Events
RECENTLY HELD
Twin Cities EATSS
February 18th, 2025
Returning once again to a city steeped in Native history, this one-night-only event aims to bring together the tradition and diversity of Native culture and expression, served to you at the esteemed Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.
Denver EATSS
April 11th and 12th, 2025
Originally home to more than 10 nations, Colorado is steeped in American Indian roots. Today, we are excited to bring back a night of total immersion in Native culture, with art, food, discussion, and music from Indigenous creators.
New York EATSS
May 14th, 2025
Home to tribes including the Lenape and Cayuga, New York City – originally Mannahatta – is the site of some of the earliest contact between Natives and colonists. We are thrilled to show up for students while reconnecting NYC with its roots at the beautiful Lighthouse Pier 61 in Chelsea.
Featured Reports
Report on Native Higher Education Success Strategies
The American Indian College Fund held a joint convening with the Brookings Institute and the Institute of Higher Education Policy to examine the status of Native higher education policy and create a proactive, strategic approach to increase policy engagement for Native students and their allies. This report highlights the findings and recommendations of the convening and lays the groundwork for further activities. Read the executive summary, the full report, or view the webinar to learn more.
Cheryl Crazy Bull Publishes Brief on Native Student College Access
The Campaign for College Opportunity published “Ensuring College Access and Success for American Indian/Alaska Native Students,” authored by Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, as part of its “Affirming Equity, Ensuring Inclusion, and Empowering Action,” a national initiative that elevates best practices supporting the college preparation, admission, affordability, and success of minoritized students that came in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to curtail the use of race in college and universities admissions. The Campaign’s national initiative seeks to ensure America does not return to an era of exclusion in higher education.
Show More
Despite centuries of trauma connected with education as an assimilation tool, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) peoples have remained resilient and advocated tirelessly to achieve equal opportunity in higher education, building a movement to restore Native culture and community life with the creation of tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCUs). Yet the participation of AIAN people in higher education remains low with 16% of AIAN people ages 25-64 earn a bachelor’s degree compared to 32% of the rest of the U.S. population. The number of Native youths in higher education is significantly less than that of the rest of the U.S. population and substantially decreased over the last 10-15 years.
President Crazy Bull urges all colleges and universities to strive for ensuring equal opportunity, inclusion, and creating a strong sense of belonging on their campuses, and for learning from TCUs to build education institutions that honor Native identity and empower these students to succeed. “Ensuring College Access and Success for American Indian/Alaska Native Students” presents the current state of higher education access and completion for American Indian/Alaska Native Students (AIAN) and details a series of best practices and recommendations that ensure AIAN students can succeed in higher education without abandoning their cultures. The brief also explores how leaders at the federal, state, and institutional level can ensure access to higher education for AIAN students in ways that affirm their cultures and the unique sovereign political status of American Indian and Alaska Natives.
Our Impact
$310.6
MILLION
Invested into Native Communities
159,652
SCHOLARSHIPS
Awarded since 1989
93%
OF OUR SCHOLARS
Give back to their communities
How Your Donations are Used
4%
Management and General
23%
Fundraising
73%
Scholarships, Programs, and Public Education
A Commitment to Donors
Guidestar
2023 Gold Seal of Transparency
Best Charity
Certified by America’s best charities
Charity Navigator
View our Charity Navigator profile
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
View our give.org charity profile
Tribal Colleges and Universities
Tribal colleges and universities provide dynamic higher education opportunities, most on or near reservation lands. Known for their remarkable programs, culturally-relevant curricula, and familial student care – tribal colleges allow students to further their careers, attain an advanced degree, or better support their communities.
Watch: Jasmine Neosh on the Importance of Supporting Tribal Colleges
Jasmine Neosh (Bear Clan, Menominee) is a College Fund ambassador and third-year law student at the University of Michigan. Live from Ann Arbor, she highlights the need to protect federal programs that expand Native students’ access to tribal colleges.
Once burdened by student loan debt and housing instability, Jasmine found opportunity at the College of Menominee Nation, where she earned her undergraduate degree and gained valuable research experience. Her tribal college education prepared her for law and natural sciences graduate studies at Michigan, equipping her to serve her community.
She urges College Fund scholars and supporters to advocate for Native higher education initiatives in Washington.
Recent Blog Posts
From Our President
Press Release
Native American Grads: Get Ready to Rock Your Grad Walk Mocs!
Tribal college presidents, faculty, staff, and other recent graduates are encouraged to show your support and post your throwback graduation regalia photos as we celebrate our students, our cultures, and our communities together!
FOR STUDENTS
College Fund Hosts its First Year Experience Symposium
The American Indian College Fund hosted its first annual First Year Experience Symposium as part of its Cultivating Native Student Success Grant Program in collaboration with the College Fund’s College Access and Success program.
Programs
Featured News
Student News
College Fund Hosts its First Year Experience Symposium
The American Indian College Fund hosted its first annual First Year Experience Symposium as part of its Cultivating Native Student Success Grant Program in collaboration with the College Fund’s College Access and Success program.
What is a TCU?
This episode of Rooted in Knowledge offers an introduction to tribal colleges and universities (TCUs). If you are a student, learn more about these institutions and if a TCU could be right for you. If you are new to the College Fund’s work, check out this video to learn more about these unique and remarkable higher education institutions.
News from our Progams Team
College Fund Programs Team
Naabaahii Ółta’í: Native Student Veterans Peer-to-Peer Program | Reflection Blog
Native Student Veterans fellow, Monica Old-Elk East, reflects on the convening sponsored by the program and how attending empowered and inspired her. Learn about the event from her perspective and how it re-kindled pride in her former military service.
College Fund in the News
Higher Education for Native Students at a Crossroads
Tribal College Campuses Are Falling Apart. The U.S. Hasn’t Fulfilled Its Promise to Fund the Schools.
Cheryl Crazy Bull Publishes Brief on Native Student College Access
Jasmine Seeks Role as Voice for Her People and Environment as University of Michigan Law Student
Congratulations Dyani White Hawk
