Amelia recalls "As a student at UAF, it was challenging to find my niche and where I fit into such a foreign environment.  RSS became home away from home and I spent much time studying, visiting with other students, attending activities and events sponsored by the department and finding my place, confidence and support needed to successfully complete my degree.  I must also admit that the food was always delicious and much appreciated, especially AK Native 'home' food which was always so much more than just something to eat!"  While in college Amelia did not participate in any student clubs on campus, however she did participate in two internship opportunities.  Her first internship was with the U.S. Attorney's Office and it proved an amazing experience.  Her second internship was with the Dept. of Juvenile Justice, learning the juvenile system and what it meant to be a juvenile probation officer.  Both of these experiences helped shape and guide her career path and she found them invaluable in providing her with a solid sense of direction.  Amelia highly recommend internships to any college student as a means of exploring career options in a meaningful hands-on way.  And while she didn't participate in any campus clubs she do think they offer a means to connect, network and positively impact anyone's University experience.  Amelia recalls "I think I faced the same challenges most students face while attending college and the only thing that separates me from them is that I reached out for support in order to overcome the obstacles and hurdles that arose.  I must say that RSS and my advisor Sue McHenry in particular were my saving grace and I'm delighted that Sue dedicates several of her gray hairs to me personally.  I was also a parent while in college which presented certain challenges, although my boys and husband proved more of a source of strength and inspiration to succeed than a challenge."  Amelia wish she had never taken student loans and highly recommend that students use loans as an absolute last resort.  She also experienced undue stress and tearful disappoint by not completing her scholarship applications in a timely manner and encourage students to submit all applications on time so that their funding is not received too late.  Amelia  have experienced amazing opportunities by obtaining her bachelor's and have gotten to work in areas of personal, professional and cultural interest as a result of having a degree.  She is grateful for the opportunities she have experienced working for the UAF Interior-Aleutians Campus (IAC) and look forward to being a part of IAC's vision, mission and efforts in serving students aspiring to obtain a college education.

The Women's Self Worth Foundation has pledged $250,000 to the American Indian College Fund over the period of four years for 14 scholarships to benefit American Indian women attending college.

The goal of the grant is to empower American Indian women by providing scholarship support to ensure women obtain higher education. The grant will be used to fund seven scholarships at the amount of $4,000 per year for a period of two years for Native women pursuing an associate's degree at a tribal college; four scholarships for $6,000 per year for four years for Native women students pursuing a bachelor's degree at a tribal college; and three scholarships for $8,000 per year for four years for Native women pursuing a bachelor's degree at a mainstream college or university.

Preference will be given to Native women applicants who show academic achievement and involvement in their communities.

About the American Indian College Fund: with its credo "Educating the Mind and Spirit," the Fund is the nation's largest provider of private scholarships for American Indian students, providing 6,000 scholarships annually for students seeking to better their lives and communities through education. For more information about American Indian College Fund please visit www.collegefund.org.

American Indian College Fund
8333 Greenwood Blvd.
Denver, CO 80221 USA
Toll Free: (800) 776-3863
Phone: (303) 426-8900
Fax: (303) 426-1200 

Intertribal Timber Council Scholarship Announcement

For Native American/Alaskan Natural Resource Students

The Truman D. Picard Scholarship Program is dedicated to the support of Native American students pursuing a higher education in Natural Resources.

Required Materials:

1) Letter of Application

2) Resume

3)Three Letters of Reference

4)Evidence of validated enrollment in a federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native Corporation.

5) Transcripts

All requested information MUST be received by the close of business (5:00 pm) March 18, 2011.  For more information, please visit the website www.itcnet.org. Fax (503) 282-1274 and email [email protected]