Program areas at Native Forward Scholars Fund
Disbursement of scholarship funds to Native american and Alaskan Native students, primarily those seeking graduate and professional degrees. 1492 were supported during the 2022-2022 academic year.
Provide student support services and resources programs that engage students and proved resoures to high school students, undergraduate and graduate students. This includes the web resource center on the Native Forward website that provides resources for all students. Student support services: one of Native Forward's core competencies and priority areas of focus lies in college access. We work with individual tribal members of the 574 federally recognized tribes to provide access to higher education through access to funding, resources, and information. -access to scholarships/fellowship funding through effective scholarship administration. Marketing and outreach to national Native audiences. Efficient application, review, and awarding process, including distribution, and tracking. -provide one-to-one outreach to students, including financial aid assistance, application support, and advocating for our students through improving policies, reducing obstacles, and increasing on-campus support available to Native students. -online student resource center is an online collection of best practices, strategies and advice specifically tailored for Native student successes that supplement our one-to-one services and provide additional guidance through the entire academic journey. Native Forward's best in class student support services are what differentiates us when it comes to college success. We have spent the past 20 years refining support services to Native students and excel at providing these services to all our students. -provide adjacent high impact, culturally responsive support services to each student through our targeted program. -provide financial aid counseling and assistance to Scholars with Native Forward applications and fafsa, provide standard financial literacy information, assist students with award revisions and coa adjustments, and resolve any issues with award disbursements. -provide one-to-one outreach to students utilizing a three-touchpoint system to assist students through the most difficult points of their academic journey. This contact is done through email, flyers, social media, direct calls and surveys. -institutional outreach and advocacy are provided to students who need assistance in connecting to campus resources such as tutoring, mentoring, financial aid, peer groups etc. -transcript review to assure students success, with targeted "back on track" initiative to assist student with on campus resources. -incentive program- celebrate student accomplishments through acknowledgement, including the awarding of stoles, achievement medals, and through the student of the program. -each month Native Forward highlights students in the student of the month program. -Native Forward also notifies students of summer opportunities such as internships and career openings as part of our comprehensive support services. Back on track program academic intervention through our back on track program may occur if students struggle to remain in good standing with their institution, and we connect students with community and campus resources including tutoring, mentoring, and connection to other Native students around the country. Native Forward specializes in providing comprehensive student services to support award recipients to ensure they thrive throughout their academic journey and successfully launch their careers. We recognize and understand the experience of Native students entering western higher educational systems, and we continuously strive to provide students with the networks and resources necessary to make their educational journey a transformational and empowering experience. Our extensive experience in administering student support services has made our team uniquely qualified to address the needs of Native students and quickly adapt to provide the most relevant and responsive programming to best support them. 2022-2023 applications were received during the year, while 1492 students received awards. Advise and collaborate with u.s. graduate schools and programs to ensure strong support services for Native american students pursuing graduate degrees and postgraduate and employment advisement.