Over the past year, from the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic until now, AISES and The Together Towards Tomorrow/T3 Fund has been able to support over 400 Indigenous students when their college experiences became abruptly altered due to the pandemic. Many of these students had to return home due to campus closings, and then when they arrived home, many did not have the technological tools necessary to study online to keep up with their classes. Through the generous donations to the T3 Fund, these students were able to continue with their courses and some have been able to graduate or will graduate this year. 

As we continue forward and the pandemic still continues to affect our students, AISES will continue to provide Native American/Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic a one-time scholarship of $500.  AISES plans to keep these T3 funds operating indefinitely, contingent upon the generous continuous funding from our sponsors, and the ongoing challenges brought upon by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Please join us in offering urgent support to Native American/Indigenous students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“Together Towards Tomorrow (T3) Fund”

COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund for Native American/Indigenous College Students

Meet AISES member, Wanda Jimmie (Navajo Nation) - a 2020 Together Towards Tomorrow (T3) Fund scholarship recipient. In May 2020, Wanda graduated from Navajo Technical University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology and a Mathematics Certificate.
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Since the Covid-19 outbreak began, the Together Towards Tomorrow (T3) Fund has been able to award over 400 T3 Scholarships to students during the pandemic. These funds have been able to provide much needed financial support during these challenging times and AISES is happy to support our amazing students.  

 
Student Profiles

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Wanda Jimmie (Navajo)
Crownpoint, New Mexico 
Information Technology 
Navajo Technical University 

Wanda Jimmie grew up in Crownpoint, New Mexico and is a single mother of five children who range in ages five to 20 years. She graduated from Navajo Technical University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology and a Mathematics Certificate in May 2020. The program is science, technology, and math based with courses in computing, database design, programming, network security, and web app development. The Information Technology program prepares students for immediate and continuing employment in two areas: Careers in programming and computer or network operations and digital moviemaking, digital sounds, and graphics. 

Along with her studies, Wanda worked part time as an Advanced Tutor at the Nitsáhákees Bee’anoséél Student Success Center, which is an on-campus student lab that is a comfortable, quiet setting to work on homework assignments, have access to computers, and receive tutoring services. Wanda is part of the NTU Student Senate serving as the secretary. 

Since the interruption of in-person classes due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wanda continued her courses at home through NTU’s E-learning department for access and delivery of online coursework. She received support through email and close communication with her instructors. 

The campus closure caused Wanda to not work due to the shutdown of the Navajo Technical University and the entire Navajo Nation which has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. The T3 Funds bought necessary supplies and food for Wanda’s family.

Taylor Nakai (Navajo) 
Shiprock, New Mexico 
Computer Engineering 
Fort Lewis College 

Taylor Nakai comes from a traditional Navajo family who resides in Shiprock, New Mexico. He attends Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado where forty-one percent of the student population is American Indian or Alaska Native, representing 177 Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. 

On March 25, Fort Lewis College shifted all academics online for the remainder of the 2020 spring semester. This announcement was made ahead of spring break to give students like Taylor time to find alternate living arrangements. Naturally, Taylor moved home to be with his parents where there are six other individuals in the home. 

Taylor decided early on that the field of engineering was something that he wanted to explore. He says, “Growing up with technology in the conversations in our household made it an easy decision to choose a major. Computer engineering allows me to explore the computer sciences and engineering within one major.” After degree completion in 2022, he would like to work as a software developer or an embedded software engineer that will allow him to make meaningful contributions in technology. He is excited to contribute to advances in industries ranging from aerospace to healthcare. 

Taylor is using the T3 Funds towards daily necessities that include groceries and water that allows him to contribute to his family’s wellbeing. He also plans on purchasing broadband internet service so he and his three siblings can have internet access to complete their schooling that has moved to distance learning for the moment.

AISES Together Towards Tomorrow (T3) Funds

Please join us in offering urgent support to Native American/Indigenous students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. AISES will make awards for each time the Fund reaches a balance of $5,500.

To Date the AISES T3 Fund has awarded over $233,000 in funding to Native American/Indigenous College Students

 
Thank You to Our Supporters
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Institutional Contributions

Private foundations, corporations, businesses, or Tribes interested in making a contribution to the T3 Fund should contact Kellie Jewett-Fernandez, Chief Development Officer, at kjfernandez@aises.org for more information.

Institutional contributors may also make direct contributions via our secure donation portal using a credit card: www.aises.org/donate/t3 Institutional Contributors will be acknowledged on the T3 Fund website, in the AISES Annual Report, and on AISES media platforms.    
 

Individual Contributions

Individuals may make donations via AISES secure donation portal: www.aises.org/donate/t3  using a credit card. Individuals interested in contributing may also contact Montoya Whiteman, Senior Director of Marketing, at mwhiteman@aises.org for additional information. 

Individual Contributors will be acknowledged in the 2020 Annual Report. All contributors will receive written acknowledgement of their contribution as long as we receive a valid mailing address. Online contributions will also be sent an email acknowledgment. 
 
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Both Institutional and Individual (or Anonymous) Contributors May Also Send Donations to: 
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) 
6321 Riverside Plaza Lane NW, Unit A
Albuquerque, NM 87120 

*Note: Please be sure to indicate that your contribution is for the T3 Fund. 

Contributions will be subject to a one-time 10% administrative fee to help offset the cost of bank fees and staff time associated with this program. As a 501c3 Public Charity, AISES relies on contributions, sponsorships, and grants to support its mission. Our actual administrative overhead is approximately 19%; however, we recognize the critical need for this assistance and are thus providing in-kind staff time to make this program possible. Contributions to the Fund are tax deductible to the extent the law allows.  
Dawn D. Davis (right) lives with her husband Dr. Cleve Davis, and daughters, Lilianna Big Tree Nola and Isla Rain Davis, on a microfarm on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation in Idaho. Photo courtesy of Brooke Richardson Photography.
Read Moms in Science — One Mother’s Story written by AISES doctoral student Dawn D. Davis

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Native American/Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to receive a one-time scholarship of $500. Scholarships will be provided based upon available funding. To expedite funding, all funds will be paid directly to students.

Join our mailing list to receive updates on this opportunity!
 
T3 Application

Our Process

AISES has set an initial goal of raising a minimum of $5,500 before accepting applications and making awards. Once the initial goal is met, applications will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis. Each time the Fund reaches a balance of $5,500 (or greater in increments of $5,500), AISES will make awards. Awards are granted on a first come, first serve basis to those who meet all of the qualifications. When funds are available, it is anticipated awards will be made within one week. 

All applications will be date/time stamped and will be processed in date/time order. Those who are selected for an award will be notified via email. Those students selected for an award must respond and accept the award within two business days of notification or the award will be forfeited and will be given to the next qualifying applicant. 

Qualifications

The T3 Fund is open to ALL Native American/Indigenous students who meet the requirements and are in need of emergency funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Requirements 
To apply, students must complete an online application and provide the following: 

  1. General student and demographic Information 
  2.  Proof of full-time status: Students must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students at an accredited two-year or four-year college/university in the U.S. for the 2020 fall semester pursing any degree program. 
  3. Proof of enrollment or descendancy: Applicants must be an enrolled citizen or a decedent of an enrolled citizen of a federal or state recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Village; or Native Hawaiian or decedent from a Native Hawaiian; or Pacific Islander or decedent from Pacific Islander; or Indigenous person of Canada. However, individuals must be U.S. residents. 
  4. AISES membership information: Being a member of AISES is not a requirement, however, we strongly encourage all applicants to become a member of AISES (MEMBERSHIP is FREE). As a member, you will be connected to other important opportunities and resources. 
  5. Written statement of need (100-word limit): Students are required to provide a brief statement explaining their immediate funding needs and how this funding will help them to address challenges they now face due to COVID-19. No financial forms required.  
All applications will be date/time stamped and will be processed in date/time order. Those who are selected for an award will be notified via email. Those students selected for an award must respond and accept the award within two business days of notification or the award will be forfeited and will be given to the next qualifying applicant. 

If you have questions, please contact bhall@aises.org or scholarships@aises.org

As we anticipate receiving a large number of applicants, AISES will not be accepting any phone calls regarding the T3 Fund.