American Indian College Fund Honors 2025-26 Tribal College Students of the Year and Coca-Cola Scholars

Core Insights - The American Indian College Fund held a ceremony to honor the 2025-26 Tribal College and University Students of the Year and Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars, highlighting the achievements of Native students in higher education [1][4]. Scholarships and Awards - Each of the 34 tribal colleges and universities selects one student for the Tribal College and University Students of the Year award, with each recipient receiving a $1,200 scholarship [2]. - The Coca-Cola Foundation awards 36 Native scholars, providing $5,000 per academic year to first-generation college students, with a total of over $4 million awarded since 1990 [3]. Honorees - Dr. Leander "Russ" McDonald was recognized as the Tribal College and University President Honoree of the Year [1]. - A list of the 2025-26 Tribal College Students of the Year includes students from various tribal colleges, representing diverse fields of study such as Business Administration, Education, and Environmental Science [4][5]. Organizational Impact - The American Indian College Fund has been a significant supporter of Native higher education, providing over $23 million in scholarships and support in 2024-25 and more than $391 million since its founding in 1989 [7].