Prioritizing College Planning for Native American Youth
Why Schools Must Champion College Planning for
Native American Students
Native youth deserve postsecondary pathways that honor identity, community, and tribal responsibility. Many districts still use one-size-fits-all college readiness programs that overlook Native culture and local cultural resources.
CollegeBound Journey® gives educators, school counselors, and Indian Education staff shared tools and lessons so Native studentsreceive consistent, culturally grounded guidance no matter which building they attend.
A Framework Built for Schools Serving Native Youth
Use this four-part framework to make college planning for Native American students consistent across schools, counseling teams, and Indian Education programs.
Match Students to Culturally Supportive Colleges
Not every campus is prepared to support Native students. Help students look for Native student centers, Native staff and faculty, tribal college partnerships, Indigenous/Native studies programs, and proximity to community or tribal nation — so they don’t just get in, they belong.
Identify Scholarship Opportunities
Cost is still a major barrier. Build and maintain a district-wide list of Native- and tribal-specific scholarships, regional American Indian education funds, and college-based waivers. Train counselors to help students tell their cultural and community story in essays so the right college is also financially possible.
Prepare Students Through Pre-College & Summer Experiences
Confidence comes from exposure. Promote Native-focused summer bridge programs, AISES and STEM camps, leadership institutes, and campus visits to Native-supportive schools so that college feels familiar, not foreign.
Implement Culturally Responsive Resources and Curriculum
Keep culture at the center. Use Medicine Wheel–inspired lessons, Native student group curricula, and college-planning handouts written for Native youth. Share with counselors, Indian Education liaisons, classroom teachers, and families so everyone is reinforcing the same message: your culture is your strength in college.
What Educators and Districts Receive
CollegeBound Journey® equips schools and Indian Education programs with culturally grounded, ready-to-implement college planning systems that center Native students’ identity, community, and goals.
Culturally Responsive Curriculum
Downloadable lessons, group counseling activities, family night guides, and college exploration tools built around Native worldviews, leadership, and self-determination.
Staff Training & Implementation Support
Virtual professional development designed for school counselors, Indian Education staff, and college access teams to deliver equitable and culturally responsive college planning.
Scholarship & College Planning Database
A curated list of Native-serving colleges, scholarships, and summer bridge programs that can be personalized to fit your district’s students and goals.
Network of Educators Supporting Native Youth
Gain access to a growing network of school counselors, Indian Education coordinators, and college access professionals who share ideas, strategies, and resources for supporting Native youth on their path to college and beyond.
Partner With CollegeBound Journey®
If your district is ready to make college planning for Native American students a shared responsibility, we can help you roll out a consistent, culturally responsive framework across multiple schools and staff.
Ideal for: Indian Education departments, secondary counseling teams, college & career coordinators, and rural districts that serve Native youth across multiple buildings.