American Indian College Fund facts for kids
 |
|
| Founded | 1989 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Focus | Education |
| Headquarters | Denver |
|
Region served
|
United States |
The American Indian College Fund is a group that helps Native American students. It gives them money for college (scholarships) and supports special schools called tribal colleges. Each year, the fund helps about 6,000 students with scholarships. It also helps tribal colleges with things like building improvements and keeping Native cultures alive. A group called Charity Navigator gave the College Fund a high rating for how well it uses donations.
Contents
What is the American Indian College Fund?
The American Indian College Fund (often called the College Fund) started in 1989. Its main goal was to give scholarships to American Indian students. It also helps tribal colleges and universities (TCUs). These schools are often located on or near Native American reservations.
The College Fund supports TCUs in many ways. This includes money for buildings and special programs. These programs help keep Native languages and cultures strong. They also offer early childhood education for students' children. The fund helps teachers grow their skills. It also prepares students for college, internships, and future jobs.
Why is college important for Native Americans?
Today, only about 1% of all college students in the U.S. are American Indian. Also, fewer Native Americans over 25 have a college degree. This is compared to the general population. One big reason for this difference is poverty. Many American Indian and Alaska Native people live below the poverty line. This makes it harder for them to afford college. The College Fund works to change this.
History and Mission: Helping Native Students Succeed
In the 1960s and 1970s, there were big movements for civil rights and Native American self-determination. During this time, tribal leaders felt that federal education policies were not working for their communities. They wanted better education for American Indian students. This led to the idea of creating tribal colleges and universities (TCUs).
How did tribal colleges begin?
In 1968, the Navajo Nation started the first tribal college. It was a school controlled by the tribe itself. It was on the Navajo reservation. This college aimed to give a good higher education to the local community. This was the start of TCUs.
Later, in 1989, the presidents of these TCUs created the College Fund. They started it in New York City. Their goal was to raise money from private groups. This money would go towards scholarships for American Indian students. It would also help support the tribal colleges themselves. They also wanted more people to know about these important schools and the College Fund.
How does the College Fund help students?
In 2015-16, the College Fund gave over $8.1 million directly to students. This money covered scholarships, internships, and leadership training. It also helped students get ready for their careers. Students who get scholarships are chosen based on their school grades and financial need. They also need to be involved in their community. And they must show a commitment to their tribal communities.
Since it started, the College Fund has given out more than 100,000 scholarships. On average, it gives about 6,000 scholarships each year. The College Fund also supports accredited tribal colleges. It helps them with research, leadership grants, and cultural programs. It also supports early childhood education and helps teachers improve their skills.
How do charities rate the College Fund?
The American Indian College Fund has received high ratings from groups that check charities. It earned the "Best in America Seal of Excellence." It also meets the standards of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. CharityWatch gave it a B+ rating. GuideStar gave it a gold rating in 2017. Charity Navigator gave it four stars in 2016 and three stars in 2018.
The College Fund first started in New York City. In 2002, it moved its main office to Denver, Colorado.
What are Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)?
Many people believe that tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) are very important for Native Americans. They also benefit the whole country. TCUs help Native communities and students get a valuable education. They also help keep Native languages, cultures, and traditions alive. They do this through special language classes and American Indian studies.
How many TCUs are there?
The first tribal college opened in 1968. Since then, the number of TCUs has grown a lot. In 2016, there were 37 tribal colleges and universities in the United States.
According to the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, tribal governments create TCUs. This includes tribes on the largest reservations. These schools operate over 75 campuses. They are spread across 16 states. They serve students from more than 230 different federally recognized Indian tribes.
TCUs come in different sizes and have different focuses. Some focus on liberal arts, others on sciences, or job training. They are located in many different places, from woodlands to deserts. Most of their students are American Indian. Even with all their differences, tribal identity is at the heart of every TCU. They all share the goal of tribal self-determination. This means helping their communities make their own decisions and thrive.
How do TCUs work with others?
TCUs work with many organizations. These include U.S. government departments like the Interior, Agriculture, and Housing. They also partner with the National Science Foundation and NASA. They work with universities across the country. These partnerships support research and education programs. These programs focus on important issues. Examples include climate change, farming, water quality, and preventing diseases like diabetes. Many TCUs also offer online learning. They use modern technology to help students learn from a distance.
See also
- Jan Crull Jr.
