American Indian Higher Education Consortium
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The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) was formed in 1972, in order to represent the interests of the newly emerging tribal colleges. One of the most significant achievements of AIHEC was to work with the United States Congress to grant land-grant status to 29 tribal colleges. This status was conferred in October of 1994 and AIHEC was granted a representative in the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges's Council of Presidents.
AIHEC now represents 36 tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) in the United States and one Canadian institution and is jointly governed by representatives from each member institution. AIHEC offers technical assistance to new and struggling colleges and leads efforts in the development of TCUs. AIHEC's (1999) stated mission is to support the network of TCUs and the national movement for self-determination. In so doing, AIHEC has identified the following objectives:
- Maintain standards of quality in American Indian education
- Assure participation in the foundation and administration of educational legislation, policy, rules, regulations, and budgets
- Assist TCUs in establishing a secure financial base
- Encourage greater participation of American Indians in higher education policy
Tribal college scholarships are available from the American Indian College Fund (AICF).
[edit] References
- American Indian Higher Education Association (AIHEC) and the Institute for Higher Education Policy (1999). Tribal Colleges: An Introduction. Washington, DC: Authors.
