Rising Native Graduates

Elevate Your
Education
Experience

Navigating graduate and professional school options can be overwhelming and Native Forward recognizes the process can be daunting. We offer this program that helps you plan the next phase in your educational journey.

Pictured: Amy Stiffarm, Native Forward Scholar – Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation

Rising Native Graduates Program

Premier Academic Coaching

For Scholars

What is Rising Native Graduates?
The Rising Native Graduates program focuses on offering academic coaching with the goal of preparing you for a graduate or professional degree. This specialized program offers useful tools to help you decide on the right program and university, assist with application materials, and offers resources that will help your success as a graduate student.

Who can apply?
Native undergraduates who are in their junior or senior year pursuing a graduate or professional degree, or students in their gap year, who are interested or planning to apply for graduate school, can be scholars. Priority will be given to Native Forward-funded scholars. Scholars will need to:

Be an enrolled member or descendant of a federally or state-recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska group.
Be enrolled at an accredited college or university.

Questions? Contact rng@NativeForward.org

Rising Native Graduates is not accepting applications at this time.

Scholar Questions:

What is Academic Coaching?

A working partnership between an experienced individual (the coach) and student focusing on developing career and academic goals while promoting success. Native Forward aims to provide community perspectives and inclusion in the academic coaching process for a smooth transition from undergraduate to graduate school.

What are the benefits of becoming a Rising Native Graduates Scholar?

Opportunity to grow your professional network by giving you the opportunity to meet other Native Forward scholars and alumni.

Completing the application process for Native Forward Scholarships will receive additional points for participating in Rising Native Graduates. Points will be given in the overall point system during the scholarship review process.

By participating in the program, do I receive funding?

Rising Native Graduates does not include any additional funding. However, being a Rising Native Graduate participant increases the prospect of receiving a Native Forward Scholarship. We encourage all participants to complete the application process.

Native Forward offers funding opportunities each academic year for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. Applications open January 1 and we invite you to visit our website to review the scholarship opportunities.

If you have any questions regarding scholarships, please contact our Scholarship Operations Team at fellowships@NativeForward.org.

For Alumni

How do I become an Academic Coach?
Current graduate or professional students and new professionals who have recently attained graduate or professional degrees can serve as Academic Coaches. Native Forward Alumni will be given priority to serve as Academic Coaches.

For Academic Coaches

Who can apply?

Current graduate or professional students and new professionals who have recently attained a graduate or professional degree can serve as Academic Coaches. Native Forward Alumni will be given priority. Coach must:

Be able to successfully pass a background check.

Rising Native Graduates is not accepting applications at this time.

Academic Coach Questions:

What is Academic Coaching?

Why do Academic Coaches need to complete a background check?

We are committed to keeping Native Forward scholars and alumni safe by ensuring all our participants’ wellbeing. We require all Academic Coaches to complete a background check.

Native Forward covers costs associated with the background checks.

What are the qualifications to become an Academic Coach?

Academic coaches are experienced in the graduate school application process and provide mentorship through guidance. Additionally, we are searching for candidates who are passionate about empowering Native scholars.

What are the resources available to support me as an academic coach?

There are a variety of resources to guide and support your academic coaching partnership. Additionally, the staff at Native Forward is available should you have any questions, concerns, or ideas that you would like to discuss.

Are there partnerships with universities that offer support for the unique needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students?

Yes, Native Forward partners with Tribes, corporations, foundations, government agencies, non-profits, and academic institutions to fulfill the needs of students.

How do I become an Academic Coach?

Current graduate or professional students and new professionals who have recently attained a graduate or professional degrees can serve as Academic Coaches. Native Forward Alumni will be given priority to serve as Academic Coaches.

Questions?

Contact Native Forward Rising Native Graduates Program at rng@NativeForward.org or call 505-881-4584.

Why participate in Rising Native Graduates Program?

Academic Coaches and scholars will have exclusive access to a platform that allows participants to easily connect with each other. The platform provides tools and resources to support a successful graduate school experience.
Academic Coaches and scholars will have the opportunity to build their professional networks by connecting with other Native Forward scholars and alumni.
Scholars can build a professional relationship with Native Forward scholars and alumni who have successfully navigated a graduate or professional program.
Academic Coaches empower the next generation of Native leaders.