Education is a key to self-sufficiency, and it’s critical to addressing the chronic poverty and challenges facing the tribes on many reservations.
Contrary to public perception, college is not free for Native Americans, and Native students are often slow to ask for aid, believing college is not an option for them. Thus, only 13% of Native Americans hold a college degree — about half the rate of Caucasians.
Here's how PWNA increases education access for Native students from kindergarten through college and career:
- School supplies, backpacks, TOMS shoes and Bombas socks for K-12 students
- Literacy supplies to support reading and comprehension
- Scholarships, mentoring and care packs for Native college students, including some laptops
- Grants to tribal colleges and universities to increase funding and retention for Native scholars
- Four Directions (4D) leadership development training for professionals who are emerging leaders and want to make a greater impact in their tribal communities
Learn more about education barriers for Native students and how PWNA’s American Indian Education Fund (AIEF) program helps:
- Video — College isn't free for Native Americans
- Download — Rising above college challenges
- Blog — Teachers buy supplies for students
- Blog — COVID-19 impacts Native students
