Indigenous students are often asked to exist in two worlds -- the world of their nation, culture, and family obligations and the world of higher education. In this guide, we'll look at how to navigate the college experience as an Indigenous student, how to find help paying for school, and how to stay connected to family and your community while enrolled.
Advocacy Organizations for Indigenous College Students
First, let's get to know some of the organizations that are already fighting to help Native American students get a college education. There are several nation-wide ones that offer advocacy, guides for new students and opportunities to find help paying for school.
American Indian College Fund
Since 1989, the American Indian College Fund has been advocating for Native students by offering a range of scholarships, providing resources to help students find and apply to schools and helping them navigate campus life once they're there. Here, you'll find scholarships, college prep assistance, student development opportunities, internship connections and student organizations designed specifically for Indigenous students.
American Indian Graduate Center
In addition to advocacy, the American Indian Graduate Center offers Native students practical support for filling out college applications, finding financial aid opportunities, navigating school and tribal life and what to do once you've graduated. Scholarships and resources from the AIGC have already helped 16,000 students across all 50 states and more than 500 tribes.
American Indian Higher Education Consortium
The American Indian Higher Education Consortium governs, maintains and connects the 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities that are spread across 75 campuses, 17 states and 250 tribes. AIHEC gathers data on Native student populations, advocates for TCUs in the American college system and helps students get to college, stay in college and find work after college.
National Indian Education Association
The National Indian Education Association works to boost the number of Indigenous students in higher education by researching solutions, advocating at the state and federal levels, holding national events and giving students connections to resources for college. On the site, you'll find information on finding the right college for you, checklists to keep you on track and points of contact for state Native education offices.
Bureau of Indian Education
The federal government's Bureau of Indian Education funds schools, community learning centers and a wide range of programs for Indigenous students. Parents and students can find learning resources, understand their rights within the education system and get connected with grants to help pay for school.
Financial Aid for Indigenous Students
One of the biggest obstacles to going to college for any student is the price tag. That's why it's so important to start finding ways to pay as early as possible. The best place to start is by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application takes into account your or your family's income, assets and background to determine what free money you can get to make college more affordable.
There are several types of financial aid you might qualify for and we'll detail the common ones below. Refer to the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid to see all of your options and to fill out the FAFSA.
Grants: Grants, like Federal Pell Grants, are typically need-based and don't need to be paid back. Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans from the federal government provide up to $12,500 per year; these need to be paid back when you leave school but they typically boast relatively low interest rates.
Scholarships: Scholarships are both need and merit-based and do not need to be paid back. They are typically offered by non-profits, individuals, schools, city/community groups and private companies
Work-study programs: Work-study programs are typically federally- or state-funded jobs on campus or in community service that are given to students with financial need.
Documenting Your Status as a Native American
To qualify for some types of financial aid as a Native American student, you'll need to be a member of a federally recognized tribe. The most commonly used document to prove this is the Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB), which is issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). There are several steps to getting a CDIB:
Determine the Requirements. Each tribe has separate prerequisites for being an officially recognized member, so you'll want to check with the tribe for which you want to claim ancestry.
Trace Your Ancestry. There are several resources out there to help you research. Here's a good place to start tracing your ancestry.
Complete the Application and Gather Required Documents. Most tribes have a form to fill out that will cover your family history and ask you to provide things like birth certificates, photographs and a Sworn Statement Affidavit (SSA).
Scholarships & Grants for Indigenous Students
There are plenty of grants and scholarships out there that you can use to fund your college education. CareerOneStop or FastWeb are great places to start your search.
It is important to remember that you are not limited to scholarships for Native students alone. There are over 1.8 million scholarships available to students in the United States that you could be eligible for, so your research shouldn't end here. This being said, there are a few scholarship organizations we'd like to highlight that stand out for their dedication to Native student success.
American Indian Science and Engineering Society Scholarships
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society provides several scholarships designed for Indigenous students who are interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. These include the Advancing Agricultural Science Opportunities for Native Americans (AASONA), which awards $5,000 every year to a student with tribal citizenship and a 3.0 GPA and the A.T. Anderson Scholarship, which offers $1,000 per year for undergraduate students and $2,000 a year for graduate students. Deadlines for these scholarships vary and all applicants must be members of the AISES.
American Indian Services Scholarship
Undergraduate students at a 4-year university, 2-year college or technical school might qualify for the American Indian Services scholarship. To be eligible, you must have completed the FAFSA, be an enrolled one-quarter (at least) member of a federally recognized tribe and have a 2.25 GPA or greater. Application deadlines depend on when your semester starts, but there are four deadlines throughout the year.
Catching the Dream Scholarship
Catching the Dream is a non-profit organization with three separate scholarships for Native college students: the MESBEC, the NALE, and the TBM. You only have to fill out one application to apply for all of them, and 95% of applicants are awarded a scholarship. Award amounts range from $500 to $5,000 per academic year and there are three deadlines throughout the year: March 15, April 30 and September 15.
Cobell Scholarship
Stemming from a major legal victory over the U.S. government, the Cobell Scholarship Fund awards varying amounts to students who are enrolled full-time in a degree program and are members of a federally recognized tribe. Applicants must apply by April 30.
Fellowships for Indigenous Students
Academic fellowships help graduate students pay for school, living expenses and academic pursuits, typically for a large research project like a dissertation or an advanced scientific study. As you might have guessed by now, there are graduate fellowships that are either designed specifically for Indigenous students and for underrepresented populations in general, a category under which Native students fall. Here are a few examples:
Native Graduate Health Fellowship
Administered by the National Congress of American Indians, the Native Graduate Health Fellowship provides funding for citizens of American Indian or Alaska Native tribal nations who want to address their community's health needs. Candidates must be pursuing a graduate or professional degree in a health field such as public health, nursing, pharmacy or medicine. An application, an essay, a CV and letters of recommendation are required. The deadline to apply is February 14.
Special Higher Education Program
The American Indian Graduate Center offers several fellowships, one of which is the Special Higher Education Program. It provides fellowships to more than 400 students a year, and awards typically come out to between $1,000 to $5,000. Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial need and be a member of a federally recognized tribe or submit a Tribal Eligibility Certificate. Applications are due June 1.
Native American Awards Program - Visiting Student
The Smithsonian Institution gives students from all backgrounds a chance to study and do research at one of the world's most respected hubs of learning. Not only do successful candidates have a chance to do research at the Institution that helps Native American communities, but they also enjoy a daily stipend, funds for research and travel money in some cases. Applicants must be pursuing a graduate research project, be available full-time, be affiliated with a Native American community and have a 3.0 GPA. There are deadlines for each semester -- February 1 and October 1.
Selecting A School
When you're looking for a school that's a good fit, you'll want to consider the traditional factors such as accreditation, the programs they offer and their affordability. Statistics and personal stories tell us that Native students typically have other considerations, as well. Many work full-time, have at least one child and are often older than other students. With that in mind, there are a few other things you might want to consider as you make your school choice:
A Native Student Center - A student center acts as a hub for Native students, giving you a go-to place for academic support, social events and staff who can guide you through your college experience.
Other Native Students - This might not seem like an important factor but many Native students say it's made all the difference in their college experience. It can be difficult to get accurate information about a college's demographics, but you can check the school's site, look it up on the National Center for Education Statistics (look under 'Enrollment') or, even better, go visit the campus to get a feel for it.
Native American Studies - Colleges with programs in Native American studies may attract more Indigenous students and may lend itself to a friendlier campus. At the very least, it means there will be faculty who could act as role models and mentors.
Proximity to Home - As supportive as some campuses are, being close to family, community and the tribe may offer the best support system for you. Sticking close to home may limit your options a bit, but it might also give you the best chance at managing the challenges of college.
Indigenous Serving Institutions
Indigenous Serving Institutions (ISI) typically fall under three categories: Tribal Colleges and Universities, Native American Serving Nontribal Institutions, and Alaskan Native or Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions.
Tribal Colleges and Universities
The idea of dedicated Tribal Colleges started with Navajo Community College back in 1968 and has now grown to over 32 fully accredited institutions across 13 states. Collectively, they boast more than 30,000 students and they offer over 350 degrees including 5 master's, 40 bachelor's and 181 associate degree programs. Tribal Colleges and Universities are owned and operated by each tribe. You can find more information here.
- Aaniiih Nakoda College
- Bay Mills Community College
- Blackfeet Community College
- California Tribal College
- Cankdeska Cikana Community College
- Chief Dull Knife College
- College of Menominee Nation
- Diné College
- Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
- Fort Peck Community College
- Haskell Indian Nations University
- Ilisagvik College
- Institute of American Indian Arts
- Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
- Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College
- Leech Lake Tribal College
- Little Big Horn College
- Little Priest Tribal College
- Navajo Technical University
- Nebraska Indian Community College
- Northwest Indian College
- Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College
- Oglala Lakota College
- Red Lake Nation College
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College
- Salish Kootenai College
- San Carlos Apache College
- Sinte Gleska University
- Sisseton Wahpeton College
- Sitting Bull College
- Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
- Stone Child College
- Tohono O’odham Community College
- Turtle Mountain Community College
- United Tribes Technical College
- White Earth Tribal and Community College
Native American Serving Nontribal Institutions
Native American Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) receive special funding for Native students because they've been federally recognized for having at least 10% of the student body made up of Native students. Fourteen schools recieved this grant in 2020. You can find more information and past recipients here.
- Carl Albert State College
- Central Wyoming College
- Connors State College
- Eastern Oklahoma State College
- Fort Lewis College
- Montana State University Northern
- Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
- Redlands Community College
- Robeson Community College
- San Juan College
- University of Minnesota Morris
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke
- Utah State University Blanding
Alaskan Native or Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
Alaskan Native or Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNHI) are made up of a student body constituting at least 20% Alaskan Native students or 10% Hawaiian Native students. Many are concentrated in Oklahoma, California, Arizona and Alaska, but the nearly 100 schools with this classification can be found in 22 states. You can find more information and a full list of schools here.
Why Choose an Indigenous Serving Institution?
- The Location. Most are strategically located near reservations, making them more convenient for Native students who want to stay close to family and their tribe.
- The Size. Many are small compared to traditional institutions of higher learning; some are even housed in one building. While this might be a downside for some students, others appreciate the more intimate and relaxed atmosphere.
- The Student Body. The student bodies are almost entirely made up of Native students, which makes it easier to find kindred spirits and stay close to your values.
- The Education. The education offered at ISIs is valuable in the greater world, but the learning environments at these institutions are enriched with, and informed by, Native traditions, cultures and experiences. That connection to tradition helps many students blossom intellectually, spiritually and socially.
- The Price. The cost of attending an ISI is significantly less than the price tag for a traditional university. The national median tuition for in-state students is $10,700, while the median undergraduate tuition at a TCU is just $3,060, a difference of over $7,000. For out-of-state students, the difference in tuition is more like $10,000. On top of that, nearly 80% of students at TCUs get some sort of financial aid.
- The Connections. ISIs have special partnerships with organizations like the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Science Foundation and NASA that let students participate in unique research projects and educational programs.
- The Options. Many ISIs also offer programs that are specifically designed to transfer to 4-year programs; most even have relationships with state schools that give you automatic admission once you've finished the ISI program. That flexibility offers the chance to start school close to home at a ISI and then expand your studies.
Indigenous Serving Institution Scholarships
While there are plenty of scholarships for Native students (some of which we've detailed above), scholarships for ISIs are typically handled by each tribe or school, so you'll want to check with the ISI near you to see what they offer. Here are a few examples of what you might find:Tokatakiya ('In the Future') Scholarship
Sinte Gleska University (SGU) is a part of the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. SGU offers the Tokatakiya ('In the Future') Scholarship to any graduating high school senior or GED student who is accepted to the school and the scholarship pays full tuition for two semesters. Students must take a full course load (12 hours) and maintain a 2.0 GPA.
WWU Endowed Transfer Scholarship
Northwest Indian College, a TCU in Bellingham, Washington, offers a unique scholarship to students who want to transfer to Western Washington University for a 4-year degree. The scholarship pays up to $4,000 per semester for a maximum of $8,000 per academic year. Preference is given to candidates who have graduated from Northwest Indian College or have at least 25 credits to transfer. They must also demonstrate financial need and have a 3.0 GPA in their coursework.
Gewkdag Scholarship
Tohono O'odham Community College (TOCC) in Sells, Arizona funds the Gewkdag Scholarship, which provides full tuition, plus $250 for textbooks. To be eligible, you must have graduated from high school or completed a GED program at a school near the Tohono O'odham Nation and be planning to attend TOCC. Students who receive the scholarship must be full-time and must maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Online Degrees
Online degree programs meet Native students where they live, both literally and figuratively. In the past, getting a college education meant leaving family, community and culture behind. Now, armed with a computer and an internet connection, students can get a college degree without uprooting.
Online degrees offer flexibility and affordability, too. If you have a job or a child to care for, you can knock out coursework whenever it's convenient for you, whether that means late nights in your pajamas or early mornings when the house is quiet. You won't have the expense of having to relocate or pay for a meal plan and a dorm room, plus you'll save on on-campus fees.
Many tribal colleges are now offering online courses and degrees, which gives Indigenous students the chance to connect with their heritage, experience a touch of campus life (if you live close enough) and still take care of practical considerations.
For more on this, take a look at our online degree hub.
College Life as an Indigenous Student
Adjusting to college life as an Indigenous student can be challenging and many new students find themselves feeling a bit lost. Many schools around the country offer opportunities to foster relationships with fellow students, which can be an important step in adjusting; students with support groups are typically more likely to complete their degrees. Here are a few examples of campus support systems you might look for to ease your transition:
Native American Cultural Centers - Universities like Purdue, Stanford and Northern Arizona have centers on-campus dedicated to Indigenous students. From a cultural center, you might be able to connect with resources, find friends, attend events and build a richer college experience.
Student Organizations for Native Students - Joining a student organization is a great way to meet new friends, enrich your educational experience and, ultimately, network for a job when you graduate. Student organizations that cater to Native students run the gamut from the Native American Student Association and the Native American Law Student Association to the American Indian Business Leaders and the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science.
Fraternities and Sororities - Fraternities and sororities are an easy way to find like-minded, culturally connected fellow students. Alpha Phi Omega is the oldest Greek sorority for Native American students, and it's also the biggest -- it boasts 24 chapters and more than 800 sisters. For the men, there's Phi Sigma Nu, a fraternity that represents over 55 tribal nations and has more than 400 brothers.
Indigenous Student Housing - Universities are learning that students thrive when they have a chance to live in a tight-knit community of people who understand where they come from. That's why many are adopting housing exclusively for Native students. The University of California, Berkeley, the University of New Mexico, Washington State University and Colorado College all offer options like this.
Campus Support For Indigenous Students and Their Families
Indigenous students might face unique challenges when attending college including family obligations, childcare concerns and a need to stay connected to their culture. Some schools are implementing programs that speak to these challenges and give Native students a better chance at success.
University Of Minnesota Morris Native American Student Success Program
The Native American Student Success Program at the University of Minnesota's Morris campus offers mentoring, academic coaching, financial wellness support and on-campus jobs. All Native students also get special orientation, language workshops and the chance to participate in cultural events like moccasin making, beading and food exchanges.
University of North Carolina American Indian Center
The University of North Carolina's American Indian Center takes a holistic approach to support Native students by promoting community engagement, helping with academics, providing valuable campus connections and fostering cultural understanding in the faculty. Initiatives here include a Welcome Extravaganza, guest lectures, Native Pathways to Professional Development programs and Elders-in-residence who offer guidance to Native students.
University of Iowa Resources for American Indian and Native Alaskan Students
The University of Iowa has a wealth of programs designed to support Indigenous students and families as they make the transition to college life. There's the Center for Diversity & Enrichment, whose main goal is to create a welcoming, supportive environment; there's the Latino-Native American Alumni Alliance, a group of Iowa alumni who connect with current students to offer guidance and there's the Latino Native American Cultural Center, where students can feel at home, even away from home.
Peer Mentoring Programs for Indigenous Students
Students may feel overwhelmed when starting school. A mentor can be a huge help in this regard, helping new students not only with handling the coursework load but also with the ins and outs of navigating campus logistically and socially. Many schools recognize how critical this is to students' success and some have instituted peer mentoring programs. You may want to check with your target schools and see if they offer similar programs to these.
University of Montana American Indian Student Services Peer Mentor Program
The University of Montana sets up new students with mentors who help them network, provide orientations on campus, meet regularly to check in on progress and offer motivation to keep going. Mentors also help mentees make positive choices, boost self-esteem and foster a sense of belonging.
Mendocino College Native American Peer Mentor/Tutor Program
Mentees and monitors meet every week at Mendocino College's Native American Peer Mentor/Tutor Program, facilitating their transitions to college life and helping them develop socially, academically and personally.
Washington State University Multicultural Student Mentoring Program
The Washington State University Multicultural Student Mentoring Program has mentors starting a relationship with mentees before they even reach campus. They give them tips for preparing for college, help quell anxiety about the transition and, once they're on campus, offer them academic, logistical and social guidance.
Parent and Student Perspectives on College Life
Each person's college experience is unique, as is each family's. For a more personal view on college life and staying connected while enrolled, we turn to Dr. Hilary Weaver and her daughter Iris Hill for their perspectives on some common questions we've encountered from Indigenous students.
Meet Our Contributors
What advice would you give students who are apprehensive about fitting in on campus?
Dr. Weaver
College is all about figuring things out. It is an opportunity to explore who you are and who you want to be as a human being as well as to pursue academics. While college can present exciting opportunities, it is also natural to be apprehensive. Pretty much everyone else will be in a similar situation, worried about how they will fit in. You are not alone.
College offers a lot of different opportunities so most people can find a place where they feel comfortable and find people with similar interests. No one will have identical interests as you but you may meet someone who loves the same obscure band you do (or introduces you to your new favorite band), shares your interests in art, theater, sports, politics, activism, etc. This is an opportunity to explore. You don't have to see the world the same way as other people that you meet. You may not be inspired to follow a new interest or career direction by every teacher or class but being exposed to many new things will help you figure out how you want to move forward in life. It's ok not to be like everyone else.
Iris Hill
College offers a type of freedom that you don't have in high school. Students also come to college with a different level of maturity. College students are all going through similar challenges of adjusting to these new circumstances so their focus tends to be on what they need to do to manage adult responsibilities. Being focused on what you need to do as a college student requires a different mindset. Unlike high school, students are less likely to bully or pick on others. If someone doesn't like you, they'll keep it to themselves.
What kind of spaces do universities generally provide where Indigenous students can go to see or experience their cultural values, or the acceptance of them?
Dr. Weaver
This varies a lot. Some universities have spaces for student groups and Native student groups may decorate their spaces in welcoming ways. Universities that have Indigenous studies programs may have lounges or drop-in areas that are welcoming spaces. Some places may have a whole building. For example, Humboldt State University in Northern California has an old house that serves as a Native Center (ITEPP). The house has counselors for academic and social support, a drop-in center, a place for students to study, and a kitchen. They regularly have social events, there are lots of Indigenous posters on the walls, and the people who work there make sure that students are well fed and supported culturally, socially, and academically. There is also a center for students of color that is very welcoming and has a pow wow drum set up.
While not all universities have comprehensive Native Centers, many have spaces that feel welcoming. Some of these may be within facilities that house other culturally diverse groups. Some universities host pow wows, socials, or other Native cultural gatherings. Check on-line to see what sort of Indigenous presence is at the university that you are considering. There may also be an alliance of different colleges that supports Native students. For example, the State University of New York system has Native American SUNY
Iris Hill
Clubs and activities can be a good way to find or make a space that is comfortable. Look for Native student groups or groups for people of color.
How important were mentors to you during college? Should students feel comfortable reaching out to people they admire for advice or support while in college?
Dr. Weaver
Mentors can be important but this doesn't have to be someone formally assigned to fill a mentoring role. You should feel free to reach out to people for advice and support whenever you need it. You don't need to feel that you must handle issues alone. Residence advisors and support staff at centers for Indigenous people or other people of color can be great resources. Connecting with professors can be important too.
Looking back, for me it was my professors who shaped my experience in college and throughout my career. Seeing how they modeled their values and handled issues related to racism and social justice still informs how I think about many things.
You can find mentors in unexpected places. They need not look like you, be from your culture, or have a similar background. Keep an open mind and you can make some powerful, life-changing connections.
What can students do if they feel disconnected from family or their culture while on campus?
Dr. Weaver
Recognize that feeling disconnected from family and culture while on campus can be normal, even if you are in a very supportive and nurturing environment. Say something and do something about these feelings. How each person responds to these feelings can be different. If you follow traditional ways you may want to smudge or seek out an elder to speak with. One college student, in her first semester thousands of miles from home shared her feelings of anxiety and homesickness with her Resident Advisor. The fire alarm in her dorm room was briefly turned off and she was allowed to smudge with cedar to cleanse negative thoughts and give her strength to move forward.
If you feel disconnected, seek connection. This could involve seeking out other Native students or faculty on campus. It could involve logging on to the Social Distance Pow Wow open Facebook group to see who is dancing, telling a story, or playing music. Much of this is happening in real time and you can reach out and talk to people. Do something that makes you feel good whether it is beadwork, going for a walk, listening to birds sing, or getting absorbed in music.
Iris Hill
Always remember that you are sacred. Even if you are far from home, remember that everything is within you. When you go to college all the affirmation and cultural connections that make you who you are travel with you. Remember your strengths. Do things that affirm you.