The Community We Serve

One in five tribal college students must travel more than 50 miles to attend classes.

The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships to needy Native students.

The Financial Need is Great:

• The average per capita income of American Indians was $15,671, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (2010).

• Our students come from the poorest regions of the country. The poverty rate amongst American Indians averages 28.4%, compared to the national poverty rate of 15.3%.

• The average cost of attendance at a tribal college (including tuition, room, board, books and supplies) is $13,621 for 2011-12. College is simply out of reach for our students.

• One in 20, or 5% of American Indian College Fund scholarship applicants, can afford to go to college without financial assistance.

Our Students' Motivation for an Education is Even Greater:

• The number of Natives enrolled in colleges and universities more than doubled in the past 30 years and the number of degrees they earned also doubled in 25 years.

• Tribal college students want to use their education to help others. Seventy-three percent of graduates say they attended college to make a better life for their families; 64% percent want to use their education to help their people.

Only 5% of American Indian students who apply to the American Indian College Fund for a scholarship can afford to go to college without financial assistance.

→Download our brochure about how you can help the American Indian College Fund to support Native students.