Grant Opportunity: General Education Fund for American Indian Services

American Indian Services (AIS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities, scholarships, and cultural preservation for Native American students. For over four decades, AIS has empowered Native youth across the United States through access to higher education, preparatory programs, and financial assistance that honor their heritage while helping them build successful futures. In 2024, AIS awarded more than 2,000 scholarships and expanded national outreach to include students pursuing higher education, trade programs, and STEM pathways.

Addressing Educational Disparities Among Native American Students

Despite ongoing progress, Native American students remain among the most underserved populations in the U.S. education system. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, Digest of Education Statistics, 2023), only about 65% of Native American high school students graduate on time, compared to 87% of white students. Less than 17% of Native American adults hold a bachelor’s degree, versus over 40% of the general U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2023).

These disparities stem from historic inequities, systemic underfunding of tribal schools, and limited access to culturally relevant education. Many Native students face barriers such as geographic isolation, poverty, and lack of representation in academic settings. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education (2023) reports that Native students often experience “cultural disconnects” in mainstream education, leading to reduced academic engagement and persistence.

At the same time, Native communities continue to experience economic hardship that compounds these challenges. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (2023) notes that Native American unemployment rates remain nearly twice the national average, with limited access to workforce development and higher education opportunities. For many students, the inability to afford tuition, housing, and basic educational expenses becomes a major deterrent to completing college or trade programs.

AIS directly addresses these disparities by providing targeted, culturally responsive support systems that uplift Native students through education, mentorship, and community-based empowerment.

Three Pillars of Impact

1. Scholarship Program: Access to Higher Education

The AIS Scholarship Program is the cornerstone of its mission to help Native American students achieve their educational dreams when financial hardship stands in the way. Through this program, AIS awards over 2,000 scholarships annually to Native students pursuing college and university degrees across the United States. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic promise, and community commitment.

In 2024, the top five majors among AIS scholars included Business, Nursing, Psychology, Education, and Biology. The top schools represented were Arizona State University, University of New Mexico, Northern Arizona University, Utah State University, and Brigham Young University. These scholarships not only relieve financial burdens but also help students persist through college and return to serve their tribal communities as professionals, educators, and leaders.

AIS’s scholarship recipients represent more than 300 tribes nationwide, with strong representation from the Navajo Nation, Cherokee, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, and Sioux tribes. Students regularly express deep gratitude for the opportunity to pursue higher education while maintaining cultural ties. Many recipients are the first in their families to attend college, transforming generational cycles of poverty into pathways of opportunity.

Goal: Expand access to higher education, reduce student debt burdens, and empower Native scholars to become leaders who contribute to the growth and vitality of their communities.

2. STEM-PREP Program: Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators

The AIS STEM-PREP Program is a free six-week summer initiative for Native American middle school students that combines rigorous academic instruction with cultural integration. This early intervention approach bridges academic and cultural learning to inspire Native youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

In 2024, the program operated in four key regions: Blanding, Utah; Hopi, Arizona; Tuba City, Arizona; and Gallup, New Mexico. Over 8,500 meals and 114 STEM kits were distributed during the summer, and students demonstrated an average 43% improvement in test scores. Through hands-on labs, field trips, and mentorship, students develop confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

The STEM-PREP Program not only introduces students to academic success early but also fosters community pride and resilience. It integrates traditional knowledge—such as Indigenous approaches to environmental science and resource management—with modern STEM education, ensuring that Native students see themselves as vital contributors to innovation and sustainability.

Goal: Bridge the gap in STEM representation by equipping Native youth with academic and cultural tools to pursue advanced education and careers in science and technology.

3. Trade Scholarship Program: Pathways to Economic Mobility

AIS recognizes that not all career paths require a traditional four-year degree. The AIS Trade Scholarship Program, launched in 2021, supports Native students pursuing vocational and technical training. The program funds education in fields such as diesel technology, cosmetology, construction, electrical work, and healthcare trades—providing pathways to immediate employment and long-term stability.

In 2024, AIS supported 12 trade students across the United States, 58% of whom were women. The program’s reach continues to grow, with many recipients returning to their home communities to provide essential skilled labor and services. One student from rural Alaska shared that AIS support allowed him to complete diesel and heavy equipment training so he could bring vital mechanical expertise back to his village, which had never before had a certified mechanic.

Trade program graduates frequently cite their AIS scholarships as life-changing. These opportunities empower students to provide for their families while contributing to the economic health of their tribes.

Goal: Strengthen Native economies and promote self-sufficiency through access to skilled trades and workforce development opportunities.

Use of Funds

A grant of $15,000 from the John Paul Foundation will directly support the General Education Fund, sustaining all three AIS pillars—Scholarship, STEM, and Trade. Funds will provide direct scholarships for college and trade students in financial need, expand STEM-PREP programs to additional Native middle school sites, and support culturally responsive curriculum and mentorship resources.

This investment will help AIS meet growing demand as scholarship applications continue to rise across underrepresented tribes and rural areas.

Expected Outcomes for 2025

1. More than 250 Native students directly supported through scholarships and program expansion.
2. A 15% increase in scholarship applications from underrepresented tribes.
3. Enhanced academic readiness and college pipeline from the AIS STEM-PREP program.
4. Greater alumni participation in mentorship and community reinvestment.
5. Strengthened career and trade opportunities in Native communities through expanded vocational support.

Summary Statement

The John Paul Foundation’s grant of $15,000 will enable American Indian Services to continue advancing educational equity for Native American students through three vital pillars—Scholarship, STEM, and Trade. This funding will directly support opportunities that address historic disparities, foster cultural preservation, and empower Native youth to achieve academic and economic success. Every dollar contributes to breaking cycles of poverty, strengthening communities, and ensuring that Native students can build brighter futures while honoring their heritage.

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