Basic Needs
American Indian Outreach (AIO) Mission
American Indian Outreach’s mission is to encourage and support Indigenous students like you on your journey toward educational success by creating awareness of available Maricopa Community Colleges programs, resources, and collaborative partnerships. We also serve as a bridge that communicates between and collaborates with tribal communities, educational institutions and related organizations, and community stakeholders to benefit Native students.
American Indian Outreach (AIO) Values
Advocacy and Collaboration
We champion student and community needs through internal and external community partnerships.
Cultural Awareness
We strive to create an inclusive culture on campus through presenters, conferences, and student clubs.
Commitment to Indigenous Communities
We provide our Indigenous communities with tools and skills that allow them to succeed.
American Indian Centers
We’re here to support your transition to college life and ensure you find the educational and cultural resources and support you need. Maricopa Community Colleges is committed to connecting you with the proper tools for personal and academic success.
The American Indian Institute (AII) works to minimize the cultural distance students may experience when leaving their home area. It offers American Indian students at MCC a support and resource center attuned to Native customs and culture. The institute is dedicated to helping students achieve college success.
For more information, call 480-461-7931 or email [email protected]
The American Indian Program (AIP) is dedicated to meeting the ever-changing and diverse educational needs of American Indian students and communities. Its mission is to provide students at SCC with the academic and personal support they need to thrive and make the most of their college experience.
For more information, visit the Indigenous Cultural Center, ICC-203, email [email protected], or call 480-423-6531.
The American Indian Student Center (AISC) is here to help American Indian students stay on track and succeed by offering culturally relevant programs and activities. It coordinates outreach, support services, and student-focused programs.
For more information, call 602-305-5643 or email [email protected]
American Indian Student Scholarships
Explore this range of scholarships designed to support Native students on their educational journey.
- Eagle Feather Native American Endowment | All Colleges
- James Adam Ross Memorial Scholarship | All Colleges
- Jo and Warren Buxton Scholarship at Paradise Valley Community College
- Janene Weinhold Tender Mercies Scholarship at Scottsdale Community College
- Thomas Family Fund at South Mountain Community College
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
- American Indian Services Scholarships
- American Indian College Fund
- Caleb Scholars Scholarship for Alaska Natives
- Catching the Dream
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Cobell Scholarship
- Dakota Indian Foundation (for students of Dakota, Lakota and Nakota heritage)
- Daughters of the Revolution, American Indian Scholarships
- First Nations' Native Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship
- The Friends of Hubbell (for students from Navajo, Hopi, Acoma, Laguna, Zuni, or Southern Ute Nation)
- Gates Scholarship for Native Students
- Indian Health Services (IHS) Scholarships
- Intertribal Timber Council (ITC)
- Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Scholarship
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Scholarship
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma
- NABI College Scholarship
- Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) STEM
- Native American Scholarship Program (for New Mexico residents)
- Office of Hawaiian Affairs Scholarships
- Okhíčhaŋye Scholarship
- Osage Nation Education Scholarship
- Native Forward Scholars Fund
- Phoenix AISES Scholarship
- Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) Member Scholarships
- Southwest Native American Foundation Scholarship
- Udall Foundation
- Yakama Indian Nation Departments Directory
- Yankton Sioux Tribe
- Whisper n Thunder Scholarship
American Indian Student Clubs
Connect with your peers, celebrate your culture, and make lasting memories by joining an American Indian Club on campus.
- Chandler-Gilbert—CGCC College Clubs and Organizations
- Estrella Mountain— American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
- GateWay—GWCC College Clubs and Organizations
- Glendale—GCC Native American Student Association (NASA)
- Mesa—Intertribal Student Organization (ISO)
- Paradise Valley—Indigenous Club
- Phoenix—PC Native American Student Association (NASA)
- Rio Salado—RSC College Clubs and Organizations
- Scottsdale—Indigenous Student Association (ISA)
- South Mountain—Native Student Union (NSU)
Don't See Your College Club?
If you are interested in starting a club, contact Student Life and Leadership at your college for more information.
Partnerships for American Indian K–12 Students
Our partnerships with K-12 institutions provide students from 5th grade through high school with college-related experiences. These partnerships also provide high school-to-college bridge programs to help students earn transferable college credits while preparing them to transition to college.
The Salt River Junior ACE Program is a collaborative venture involving Scottsdale Community College and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC). The project engages 5th through 8th-grade students in a bridge program that offers valuable college-related experiences. To participate, students must be members of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRP-MIC), attend SRP-MIC schools, or be returning students.
Maricopa Community Colleges’ Hoop of Learning (HOL) Program is an early high school-to-college bridge program available at nine of the Maricopa Community Colleges. Since its establishment in 1995, it has sought to reduce economic and cultural barriers that American Indians may face while helping high school students transition to college. The program is Indigenous by design, based on a traditional Native American worldview of a circle (or hoop) of lifelong development. Its mission is to encourage, enable, and create conditions that empower American Indian students to complete high school and transition successfully to higher education.
If you don’t think a college degree is an achievable goal for you, this nationally recognized scholarship program might change your mind. Achieving a College Education (ACE) helps eligible students earn up to 24 transferable college credits before high school graduation.
Get a head start on your future by taking college-level courses on your high school campus or at your preferred Maricopa Community College. With Dual Enrollment, you can earn high school and college credits simultaneously.Our affordable tuition can save you thousands compared to other schools,while boosting your chances of academic success and helping you graduate college sooner.
Arizona Tribal Education Departments
Below are links to 22 Arizona tribal education and enrollment departments. For information on scholarship applications, funding, and tribal identification, please contact the tribe directly. If you do not see your tribe listed, please visit The Tribal Leaders Directory.
AIO Land Acknowledgement Statement
Maricopa Community Colleges acknowledges the land on which we are situated today as the land and home of the O’odham and Piipaash. We take this opportunity to thank the original caretakers of this land, the Huhugam, and we offer our respect to all tribal nations of the past, present, and future.