How to Create Lasting Change for Native Students in Texas

In communities across Texas and beyond, Native students face barriers that extend far beyond the classroom—challenges rooted in generational inequity, geographic isolation, and underfunded infrastructure. But education can be a powerful tool for transformation, and you can be a part of creating that change.

By supporting scholarships and leadership development for Native students, you help open doors to opportunity, economic mobility, and self-determination.

With your help, we can support the next generation of Native leaders—like Ben, an aspiring pilot from Alaska whose dreams took flight with help from a scholarship funded by Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA) and its American Indian Education Fund® (AIEF) program.

Lifted by Education

Ben, an Alaska Native, is a student at Rocky Mountain College in Montana. He dreams of becoming a pilot to serve his home community, a remote village that is both a food and technology desert. With support from PWNA’s education program, Ben is pursuing his degree while participating in campus life through chess club, Bible study, and a part-time job. He’s not just gaining an education—he’s gaining the skills to uplift his community.

Closer to home is Sampson, a Northern Paiute in North Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a major in industrial engineering. Sampson dreams of becoming a Tribal liaison to help tribes and organizations work together. While attending college, he felt especially supported not only by scholarships but by the letters and care packs from PWNA.

“PWNA wants to be in the community making an impact,” Sampson said. “As a student, the sense of community was nice. Their care shows PWNA is invested, and they remind students that what they’re working for will be worth it when they cross the finish line.”

Sampson’s and Ben’s journeys aren’t unique—and that’s the point. Thousands of Native students have the potential to lead, grow, and serve their communities, but too often, they lack the financial resources, academic support, and mentorship needed to succeed.

Only 16 percent of Native Americans hold a college degree, compared to 40 percent of White Americans. This gap does not reflect a lack of ambition or talent, but a lack of access and opportunity.

PWNA’s education programs work to close this gap, offering scholarships, laptops, care packs, and mentoring to Native students attending about 150 colleges across the U.S. In 2024 alone, nearly 200 scholarships were awarded to undergraduate, graduate, and vocational students, helping to break the cycle of poverty and create long-term impact.

By donating to PWNA, you support scholarships for higher education, leadership training, college readiness supplies for thousands of K–12 students attending reservation schools, and culturally relevant wraparound support so Native students not only get to college—but thrive there.

More Than Education

While education remains a pillar of PWNA’s mission, lasting change requires a holistic approach. PWNA also focuses on food and water access, as well as emergency response and preparedness on remote reservations.

In 2024, PWNA delivered nearly 500,000 pounds of food and more than 243,000 bottles of water to underserved Tribal communities. From fresh produce to staple foods, and community gardens to nutrition training, these services help combat food insecurity—a crisis that impacts one in four Native families.

PWNA also provides emergency relief to tribes when disaster strikes and helps train Tribal communities to become their own first responders.

Become more NativeAware® and get involved today. Even the smallest gift can change Native lives.