College 101
Preparing for college can be intimidating especially if you don't know where to start. Do not worry! The best thing to do is to take the first step towards finding resources that can help you. And you already took that first step by coming here! So keep going!
On this page, you will find links to resources that can help answer questions you may have. These resources are from the Indian Resources Development (IRD) website and the American Indian College Fund's Native Pathways - A College-Going Guidebook. This book is available as a PDF file on their website.
Download Pathways Guidebook 
Where to start when thinking of college?
Preparing for college includes college applications, personal statements, transcripts, college fairs, and others. You can find useful information at collegefund.org.
Preparing for college includes college applications, personal statements, transcripts, college fairs, and others. You can find useful information at collegefund.org.
Not sure which college to attend?
When choosing a college, you need to consider admission requirements, size, location, weather, size of the Native American population, degree programs offered, and tuition. Talking to a school counselor and family will help you choose a college. To narrow your choices, visit collegefund.org
IRD created a list to help you explore New Mexico degree programs in agriculture, business, education, engineering, health, natural resources, and energy.
When choosing a college, you need to consider admission requirements, size, location, weather, size of the Native American population, degree programs offered, and tuition. Talking to a school counselor and family will help you choose a college. To narrow your choices, visit collegefund.org
IRD created a list to help you explore New Mexico degree programs in agriculture, business, education, engineering, health, natural resources, and energy.
Thinking about how to pay for college?
The best way to pay for college is through scholarships. Loans should be the very last option. The Paying For College page of the Guidebook includes financial aid and money management advice. For an additional list of scholarships, check out IRD's Financial Aid booklet .
The best way to pay for college is through scholarships. Loans should be the very last option. The Paying For College page of the Guidebook includes financial aid and money management advice. For an additional list of scholarships, check out IRD's Financial Aid booklet .
Don't know what to expect your first year of college?
The first year of college may seem intimidating, but every college student has been there. Get a step ahead by visiting the What to Expect page of the Guidebook where you can find tips on how to talk to faculty and embrace your Native identity.
The first year of college may seem intimidating, but every college student has been there. Get a step ahead by visiting the What to Expect page of the Guidebook where you can find tips on how to talk to faculty and embrace your Native identity.
Some ways to learn about careers that interest you:
- Take advantage of dual credit offerings at your school and nearby colleges/universities to earn college credits while in high school
- Search for the degree program plan/checklist that you would like to pursue
- Visit IRD's Degree Program Plan 101 to learn more about degree plans.
- Talk to your school teachers or counselor about internship opportunities, or visit IRD's internship list.
- Talk to your school teachers or counselor about research opportunities