Native Forward Scholars Fund
Albuquerque, Albuquerque Metro
Scholarships, mentorship, and graduate fellowships for Indigenous students pursuing higher education, the nation's largest Indigenous scholarship fund.
About
Native Forward Scholars Fund, based in Albuquerque, is the largest provider of scholarships to Native American students in the United States. Formerly known as the American Indian Graduate Center, the organization has supported Indigenous students pursuing higher education for decades, helping them access college and graduate degrees and reduce the financial barriers to educational attainment.
The organization provides scholarships and fellowships to American Indian and Alaska Native students from tribes across the country, funding undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. By awarding millions of dollars in scholarships, Native Forward helps Indigenous students afford the cost of higher education, which can otherwise be a significant obstacle for students and families.
Beyond financial support, Native Forward offers mentorship, advising, professional development, and a community of support to help students succeed and complete their degrees. The organization recognizes that financial aid alone is not always enough, and it works to support students throughout their academic journeys, helping them persist and graduate.
Native Forward serves students from hundreds of tribal nations, reflecting the diversity of Native communities across the United States. Its work addresses long-standing disparities in educational access and attainment among Native populations and aims to build a pipeline of educated Native professionals and leaders who can contribute to their communities and tribes.
Education is widely seen as a pathway to opportunity and a tool for strengthening tribal nations, and Native Forward positions scholarship support as an investment in Indigenous self-determination and prosperity. Supported by donations, grants, federal funding, and partnerships, the organization has helped tens of thousands of Native students pursue higher education over its history. From its base in Albuquerque, Native Forward Scholars Fund continues to expand educational opportunity for Native American and Alaska Native students nationwide.
