American Indian Graduate Center. Resources for Higher Education Success

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1 American Indian Graduate Center Resources for Higher Education Success Presented by Joan Currier American Indian Graduate Center September 2015

2 History of AIGC American Indian Graduate Center ( AIGC ) was founded in 1969 and incorporated as American Indian Scholarships in the name was changed to AIGC in AIGC has operated for over 46 years providing over $70 million in scholarship funds to more than 7,500 American Indian and Native Alaskan students enrolled in graduate and professional degree programs throughout the United States. AIGC Scholars was established in 2001 to administer the American Indian and Alaska Native component of Gates Millennium Scholars program, and has supplied over 1300 students with financial awards and educational support to date During the mid-2000 s, AIGC received support from Wells Fargo Bank and Accenture Corp to fund a select number of undergraduate students In 2015, AIGC was invited to administer the Cobell Scholarship Fund. This year we awarded 40 graduate students from a pool of 385 applicants. Wells Fargo Bank and Foundation recently approved $3 million grant over 3 years to fund undergraduate enducation in all fields of study and programs..

3 Scholarships and Student Services for American Indians since Awarded over $70,000,000 during the past 46 years to more than 7,500 students, average award of $3,900 per year and $9,333 per student overall. The average unmet need of our full time graduate students exceeds $21,000 per academic year. AIGC Scholars, partner in the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, has provided support and over $11,000,000 in scholarships to 1300+, average award of $6,800 per year for undergrads and $14,500 per year to graduate students. Encouraging students to complement education with internships, professional development, international study and service, and now opportunities like Wells Fargo s Early Talent Event, First Generation Go College! Now, Sophomore Diversity Summit, Women on Wall Street Working with colleges and universities to understand needs of students financial aid and student services Meet with our students and families to promote financial literacy and understanding the challenges of transition to higher education. Providing schools and tribes with outreach and other materials for K-12 to encourage students to aspire to college

4 AIGC: Strengths and Impact National leader in advocacy and policy efforts for American Indian and Alaska Native students We understand our responsibility to identify funds to enable motivated students to complete education. To that end, we execute fundraising strategies. We advise students and families about undergraduate and graduate schools: AI programs and funding opportunities. Work with our students, alumni, and communities and show them ways to support higher education Provide advisement to individuals about determining tribal eligibility

5 Our Values Excellence in the quality and delivery of our programs. Timely and culturally responsive, personalized services Powerful in voice and advocacy: we make change happen. Always seeking to expand our reach and leverage our networks and partnerships. We articulate the unique needs of students to funders, post-secondary institutions, policy makers and other service organizations. Scholarships Know Before U Go AI* Higher Education Transition Resource Our scholars successes inspire future generations of students The Power of Scholarship is realized in our communities! AI*: American Indian

6 Eligibility Criteria Enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe or ¼ blood quantum Accepted into a degree program at any nationally accredited college or university (not for profit) Attending on a full time basis Can demonstrate financial need Maintain satisactory academic standing

7 Awards to Law Students in 2015/2016 Historically, between 20% 24% of students funded by AIGC are pursuing a JD. Past five years that number is 17% - 20%. Total students and students pursuing other degrees is growing All who apply are funded Annual scholarships $345,000, an average of $4,600 ea. 2015/2016 Cobell: Applicants 25/ Awardees 6/ $60,000 AIGC Awardees 91/472

8 Current AIGC Scholarships Graduate Fellowships - $3.1M Annual Awards BIE SHEP Fellowship $ 1,200,000 BIE Loan for Service $ 650,000 BIE LFS SPGSP $ 699,000 Cobell Scholarship (2015 only) $ 400,000 San Manuel Band of Mission Indians $ 75,000 Other Private endowments & gifts $ 70,000 Undergraduate Scholarships - $2.2m Accenture $ 40,000 Cobell 2015 only $ 1,600,000 Wells Fargo Foundation (beginning 2016) $ 555,000 All Other $ 10,000

9 Awarding Demographics High School State Number AZ 37 OK 36 NM 16 SD 11 CA 8 MT 7 NC 6 WA 6 AK 4 OR 4 UT 4 WI 3 ND 2 CO 1 FL 1 IA 1 ID 1 MN 1 OR, 4 WA, 6 AK, 4 NC, 6 MT, 7 CA, 8 SD, 11 NM, 16 UT, 4 AZ, 37 OK, 36 There are currently 566 federally recognized American Indian tribes, including 229 Alaska native villages, and other tribes in 33 states. 2.1 million American Indians and Alaska Natives -.6% of the population of the U.S. Over ½ of the population reside in CA, OK, AZ, NM, SD, NC and AK. This is represented in the demographics of our funded students and the schools they attend. Native students less likely to attend Ivy and private schools than their counterparts from other underserved communities MS 1

10 Degree Programs 1. American Indian students enrolled in graduate and professional degree programs (estimate): ,000 18,000 21, Fields of study represented by AIGC Fellows: Environme ntal Studies 3% STEM 6% Busines/ad ministratio n 10% Counselin g, family services 11% 2004 Al Other 13% Education 11% Law 28% Medical Fields 18% Current priority concerns among tribal communities and members: Enterprise development, tribal economic growth Natural resources development Indian Trust Issues. Federal Indian law Overall crime rate in Indian Country Substance and domestic abuse, Addiction, suicide rates (young people) Health statistics, obesity and diabetes Environmen tal Studies 4% STEM 5% Busines/ad ministration 9% Al Other 20% Education 13% 2013 Law 17% Medical Fields 16% Counseling, family services 16% 10

11 AIGC Online Application From the AIGC website, selecting Apply Now directs applicants to a cloud-based online application system. This system is designed to qualify applicants for various opportunities The system capacities will reduce the time, paper and and expense for applicants and AIGC processing staff.

12 Other Funding Resources AIGC website: aigcs.org Tribal Departments of Education fastweb.com American Indian College Fund Catching The Dream Sources of Financial Aid for Amer. Indian Students (NMSU) University Financial Aid Office Veterans Affairs (military)

13 Contact Information Joan V. Currier, Chief Operating Officer And Acting Director American Indian Graduate Center, Inc San Mateo Blvd. NE, Suite 200 Albuquerque, NM (505) aigcs.org