Tribal Colleges and Universities Program
Stored: Tribal Colleges and Universities Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Bureau of Indian Education |
| Top Organization | Department of the Interior |
| Creation Legislation | Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The Tribal Colleges and Universities Program supports tribal colleges to enhance Native American education and community development. It aims to fund academic quality, institutional stability, and cultural preservation for tribal students. |
| Program Start | 1978 |
| Initial Funding | $5 million |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) is a Department of the Interior initiative managed by the Bureau of Indian Education that provides operational funding and support to 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) across 14 states, serving over 27,000 Native American and Alaska Native students from more than 250 federally recognized tribes as of 2025. Established under the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978, TCUP has disbursed over $2.5 billion by 2025, supporting academic programs, infrastructure, and community services at TCUs, with recent efforts including a $15 million FY 2021 operations and maintenance boost and 2025 post-Hurricane Helene recovery aid, enhancing educational access and tribal sovereignty.
Goals
- Enhance academic quality and institutional stability at tribal colleges.[1]
- Promote Native American education and cultural preservation.
- Support tribal community development through higher education funding.
Organization
The Tribal Colleges and Universities Program was sponsored by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) within the Department of the Interior, headquartered at 1849 C Street NW, Washington, D.C.[2] Funding came from Congressional appropriations, supporting 35 accredited TCUs and 2 developing institutions, managed by BIE staff in collaboration with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) and over 2,000 tribal partners across 14 states, guided by BIE Director Tony Dearman.
The leader at the Department of the Interior level was the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, currently Bryan Newland (as of February 22, 2025), with TCUP operations overseen by BIE Director Tony Dearman.
History
The Tribal Colleges and Universities Program was established under the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978, signed into law on October 17, 1978, by President Jimmy Carter, formalizing federal support for TCUs.[3] It grew from supporting six founding TCUs in 1978 to 37 by 2025, with key updates including $15 million for operations in FY 2021 (Web ID 18) and 2024 broadband initiatives (Web ID 4), adapting post-Hurricane Helene in 2025 to bolster TCU infrastructure resilience.
Funding
Initial funding in 1978 was $5 million from Congressional appropriations.[4] Funding began in 1978 and continues, with FY 2025 at $108 million, supporting over 27,000 students across 35 TCUs, with no end date as appropriations sustain efforts like 2025’s $5 million for post-Helene recovery enhancements.
Implementation
The program was implemented through annual funding allocations to TCUs, technical assistance, and partnerships with AIHEC, supporting academic programs and facilities across 14 states.[5] It operates continuously with no end date, enhancing over 35 institutions, with 2025 efforts focusing on post-Helene recovery and broadband connectivity for Native education resilience.
Related
External links
- https://www.bia.gov/service/tribal-colleges-and-universities
- https://www.aihec.org/ - AIHEC Overview
- https://www.doi.gov/ - Department of the Interior Overview
- wikipedia:Tribal colleges and universities
Social Media
References
- ↑ "Tribal Colleges and Universities," Bureau of Indian Education, https://www.bia.gov/service/tribal-colleges-and-universities, accessed February 22, 2025.
- ↑ "BIE Overview," Bureau of Indian Education, https://www.bia.gov/bie, accessed February 22, 2025.
- ↑ "TCUP History," Bureau of Indian Education, https://www.bia.gov/service/tribal-colleges-and-universities, accessed February 22, 2025.
- ↑ "Tribal College Funding," Bureau of Indian Education, https://www.bia.gov/service/tribal-colleges-and-universities, accessed February 22, 2025.
- ↑ "TCUP Implementation," Bureau of Indian Education, https://www.bia.gov/service/tribal-colleges-and-universities, accessed February 22, 2025.