American Indian Education Fund (AIEF) Scholarships

American Indian Education Fund (AIEF) Scholarships is sponsored by Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA). The American Indian Education Fund (AIEF) offers scholarships, literacy programs, and school supplies to help Native American students achieve their educational dreams.

American Indian Education Fund (AIEF) - PWNA Education is one of the most important cornerstones of self-sufficiency and quality of life. It is also a crucial factor in addressing the long-term challenges on the reservations we serve. Click Here Check out our new "About Us" video!

Make a gift, get a gift! Join our Circle of Friends today and receive a beautiful dreamcatcher for your commitment to Native Americans in need! Featured Download: Lesson Plan American Indian Education Fund Education is one of the most important cornerstones of self-sufficiency and quality of life.

It is also a crucial factor in addressing the long-term challenges on the reservations we serve. The American Indian Education Fund® (AIEF), a program of Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA), offers scholarships, literacy programs, and school supplies to help end the cycle of poverty and help Native American students realize their educational dreams.

Throughout our country, Native American children travel each day for hours across rugged and remote areas to attend school. These students often lack the simplest tools – such as paper and pencils – needed to participate in class. Yet, like all children, Native American youth are inspired by the dream of a better future.

Since 1997, the AIEF program – with the help of our generous donors and dedicated Program Partners – has given hope to Native American students by providing the tools they need to succeed. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (4D) The scholarship program funds and supports graduate and undergraduate Native American students attending college throughout the country with a competitive scholarship.

The goal is to increase resources and encouragement for Native American students to learn and succeed. We don’t just hand out checks, though. We offer mentoring, care packages, laptops, and more to help students stay in school and realize their education dreams.

2026-2027 Scholarship Application for Undergraduate and Graduate is now closed! Vocational Scholarship is now closed! Early deadline is March 1st, 2026 11:50pm ET and final deadline is April 4th, 2026 11:50pm ET.

Scholarship Eligibility Criteria • Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian (student or one parent must be enrolled and have documentation). • Attending an accredited 2 or 4-year college/university within the United States. Fully online schools and summer courses do not qualify.

• Undergraduates must be enrolled as a full-time student. Graduate students must be enrolled 6-18 credit hours (amount of scholarship funding is based on credit hours). • GPA between 2.

0 – 3. 5 is desirable, however ALL current or future undergraduate/graduate students are encouraged to apply. High school students with a GED and non-traditional students returning to school may apply.

• Most recent transcript with cumulative GPA. (Does not need to be official) • Proof of Tribal Enrollment/CIB (student or parent’s documentation). • Digital Photo – clear, color photo of yourself.

Please use the link to check the status of your scholarship or update your scholarship profile at: AIEF and Vocational Scholarship: https://webportalapp. com/sp/american-indian-education-fund_undergrad-grad With the support of our generous donors, each school year more than 15,000 students on dozens of reservations are provided with backpacks full of school supplies through this service.

This service contributes to educational outcomes by providing necessary school supplies for children attending school on the reservation in grades K-12 The literacy service provides resources to improve the student’s reading comprehension and learning experience to set them up for success.

It encourages a love of reading by supplying books and incentives to Native children through our Program Partners Designed for capacity building of promising leaders in Tribal communities, the 4 Directions Leadership Development (4D) service provides a cohort-based learning environment for Program Partners, emerging leaders, and other applicants. 4D training advances their leadership skills both professionally and personally.

Quotes From Past Recipients The donation of school supplies was a Godsend to many of our families who struggle to provide the basic needs of their children to prepare them for the school year. Thank you on behalf of our students and families. My daughter is in kindergarten this year.

She received a new backpack filled with school supplies… I was present in the class when the backpacks were handed out to the children. Their faces were filled with excitement and their parents, too. Your generosity has had a positive impact on the children’s educational experience.

Jacqueline G. , New Mexico We have a 6-year-old boy who doesn’t talk to anyone. With this [literacy] program, he expresses himself and asks questions.

He only does this during literacy. Boys and Girls Club, Crow Agency Montana When I was selected for the [AIEF] scholarship, I felt relieved that I wouldn’t have to worry as much about the financial part of college. A big weight was lifted.

The AIEF scholarship helped me empower my academic and career goals by removing the stress of financial burden. It allowed me to focus solely on my studies and follow my dreams… I can not thank AIEF enough because if helped me build a foundation. I am beyond grateful for the AIEF scholarship and organization!

Scholarships go beyond a degree, they provide enriching life experiences. The scholarship is putting food on the table because I’m no longer choosing between medical treatments or tuition. It might be something small to donors, but I don’t think they know how much it means to people like me.

If I could meet each of the donors and thank them personally, I would. While 62% of all U.S. high school students go to college, only 17% of Native Americans are able to do so. Only 16% of Native Americans hold a bachelor's degree, while 44% of Whites do.

Up to 55% of Native American children are growing up in poverty or low-income households. About 3 out of every 10 Native American students drop out of high school – a rate of about twice the national average due to double-digit poverty, social bias, and systemic failures of the education system. 90-95% of our scholarship recipients stay in school, compared to only 20% for other Native scholarship providers.

COREY MZHICKTENO Chairperson MAKENLEY BARTON Vice Chairperson A leading business development expert with extensive knowledge of institutional wealth for corporations and nonprofits alike, he is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Matt currently works with the Bank of Texas as Vice President and Senior Business Development Officer in their corporate division, and earlier with their institutional wealth team.

His focus is building teams around middle-market business leaders and helping them meet their business’ operational needs through his bank or partner network. Prior to the Bank of Texas, Matt worked with BOK Financial for eight years, focusing on retirement planning, investments, and institutional wealth.

He holds a bachelor’s in business administration with a major in financial management from Oklahoma State University, Spears School of Business. Besides his passion for connecting people for mutually beneficial relationships, Matt brings to PWNA skills in business development and financial management.

JACKIE BLACKBIRD Board Member Joe is a citizen of the Puyallup Tribe of Tacoma, Washington, with 20 years’ experience in Native American communities as an administrator, teacher, and coach. He recently launched Strength-Based Consulting (SBC), a grant-writing, capacity-building, and consulting firm serving Native causes.

Prior to SBC, Joe was Executive Director of the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project (ZYEP) for six years, drawing on his experience as a culturally responsive researcher, published writer, and award-winning coach to more than triple the size of their annual revenue, youth served, programs offered, and workforce. Joe believes that when youth sports are done well, they have the power to transform lives and unite communities.

As Zuni High School’s head football coach, he led the team to three district championships, one district runner-up, and a team grade point average better than 3. 0 in just four years. He holds a bachelor’s in Indigenous studies from Haskell Indian Nations University, a master’s in education from the University of Oregon, and a Ph.

D. in sport and exercise psychology from the University of Kansas. Joe brings to PWNA his skills in research and consulting, along with strategies for helping Native people leverage their strengths in pursuit of their goals.

Joshua joined PWNA as president & CEO in January 2020, our 30th year of serving Indian country. A citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, he has more than 20 years’ experience in education management, social work, and business development. Most recently, he served as Chief Information Officer of Haskell Indian Nations University, advancing their IT infrastructure and services to better meet their mission.

Other public sector experience includes Tribal law and governance; after-school, youth, foster care, and housing programs for low-income families; and diversity and inclusion. Josh has also volunteered for the Kansas court-based Citizen Review Board for child welfare and Lawrence+Memorial Hospital for health equity, diversity, and inclusion. Joshua earned his bachelor’s in social work from the University of Kansas and then a J.

D. specializing in Tribal law, applied Indigenous leadership, federal Indian law, and Indian gaming law. Sincere and forward-looking, Josh actively supports the advancement of Native communities.

JOSH ARCE PWNA President & CEO (Non-Voting Board Member)