Tribal Colleges & Universities
Tribal Colleges and Universities are Tribally-chartered, locally governed institutions established by Tribal Nations to exercise sovereignty in education and strengthen student success.
35
Accredited TCUs
90+
TCU Campuses
16
States
250+
Tribal Nations Represented
50+
Years
Our Work
Over the past five decades, AIHEC has worked to help ensure that the principle of Tribal sovereignty is recognized and respected and that TCUs are fully included in this nation’s higher education system.
Programs & Services
Our programs strengthen Tribal Colleges and Universities as student-centered institutions with visionary leadership that advances student success.
Seven Core Program Areas Driving TCU Capacity Building and Student Success
- Member Services
- Cyberinfrastructure
- Health Initiatives
- Land Grant & Environment
- Native Language & Culture
- Open Educational Resources
- STEM Workforce
Policy & Action
We have achieved remarkable accomplishments in federal policy advancements, laying the foundation for expanded support to Tribal Colleges and Universities.
On behalf of the nation’s TCUs, AIHEC engages with policymakers, Tribes, and federal agencies to ensure Tribal higher education is recognized, supported, and strengthened through law and policy.
Our Work Includes:
- Federal Relations
- Congressional Affairs
- Policy Priorities
Featured Documents
Building Local Economies of Scale:
The Impact of Tribal Colleges & Universities in Rural America
September 9, 2025
Building Local Economies of Scale:
The Impact of Tribal Colleges & Universities in Rural America
Executive Summary
September 9, 2025
RE: Status of Tribal Nations as Political Entities in the Implementation of the President’s New Executive Orders
Featured Events & News
2027 AIHEC Legislative Summit
Washington, D.C.
February 2-5, 2027
2027 Spring Board of Directors Meeting
Billings, MT
March 15-16, 2027
2027 AIHEC Student Conference
Billings Hotel and Convention Center, Billings, MT
March 16 – 20, 2027
American Indian Higher Education Consortium Launches First TCU Assessment Academy to Strengthen Student Learning and Institutional Capacity
November 5, 2026
American Indian Higher Education Consortium Receives a $1 Million Mellon Foundation Grant to Advance Native Language Revitalization at Tribal Colleges and Universities
October 7, 2026
AIHEC Welcomes $61 million in FY26 Federal Investment at Tribal Colleges and Universities – Strengthening Workforce Development in America
September 23, 2026