National Study on College Affordability for Indigenous Students
The National Native Scholarships Providers (NNSP) recently released its first National Study on College Affordability for Indigenous Students. The report, which was funded by Lumina Foundation, found that the main obstacle to completing college for Native students is affordability.
The report is the result of a collaboration between the nation’s four Native scholarship providers: the American Indian College Fund, the Cobell Scholarship, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, and Native Forward Scholars Fund. According to Sarah EchoHawk, CEO of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), “This information not only allows AISES to better support our students’ financial needs, but it also provides deeper context to our overall mission goals as an organization. The collaborative efforts with the other National Native Scholarship Providers are truly remarkable in terms of the impact this work will have on our Indigenous students in Indian Country.”
Only 36.2% of Indigenous students entering four-year institutions of higher education in 2014 completed their degrees in six years, as compared to 60% of all other undergraduate students in the U.S. The researchers’ goal in the study was to begin to understand the college experiences of Native students, their families, communities, Tribes, as well as how they viewed the promise of a post-secondary education—and how these factors played a role in navigating college affordability. According to Arizona State University faculty member and Indigenous scholar Amanda Tachine, “Family connections are critical for Native student persistence, yet families’ voices are absent in research.”
The research team collected both quantitative survey data and qualitative data gained through individual interviews or sharing circles. According to scholars, sharing circles are a traditional practice in Indigenous communities and “are designed to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to share their opinions and ideas.” Melvin E. Monette, CEO of the Cobell Scholarship Program, shared, “Data on college affordability for Native students now has new national visibility due to our scholarship organizations’ powerful data and research collaboration.” He stressed the importance of this research being an “Indigenous-centric research endeavor.”
Researchers conducted a deep analysis of affordability, including variables such as food security, caretaking responsibilities, cultural experience, availability of off-campus housing, and being the sole source of a family’s income. Findings of note include that 35% of the study participants worked more than 20 hours a week while enrolled as full-time as students. Over half of the study participants experienced food insecurity, and 16% of study participants experienced homelessness while in college. In addition to these stressors, 67% of student participants are expected to contribute to family bills while in college in order to ensure that their families could make ends meet. According to Cheryl Crazy Bull, president of the American Indian College Fund, “We want the American public and policymakers to understand the unique barriers faced by Native students as they pursue their education dreams. These barriers can be removed through continued investment via scholarships, tuition support, and supportive partnerships. This study provides a foundation from which to explore those investments.”
Unfortunately, Native American voices are often left out of research related to higher education, being relegated to an asterisk (*) noting that there aren’t enough Native Americans to participate in a study. Native scholars across the nation are working to bring these voices to the forefront of higher education-focused research. Angelique Albert, CEO of Native Forward Scholars Fund, said, “This national study brings Native students’ voices to the forefront so we can begin to build the foundation for awareness, inclusion, and better understanding of the complexities of Native students’ journey through college.”
