About the Program
The Iowa First Nations Program (IFN) provides Native American student high school students the opportunity to live on campus, experience the university setting, explore majors, learn more about the Native American culture, and gain an appreciation for the variety of opportunities at Iowa. Participants will attend structured classroom seminars and field trips to various campus departments, enjoy hands-on classroom experiences, and have the opportunity to get involved in social and recreational activities. IFN occurs in middle to late July each year.
Our goal is to provide a space for Indigenous youth to learn about themselves, their community, and the college experience.
Who can attend?
Attendees are high school students in good standing who are entering the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade and who have heritage backgrounds that are based on Native American culture. Lodging, meals, and camp activities are provided at no cost to the student upon admission into the program. The only costs to admitted students are for their own travel costs to and from the program (see below for travel assistance).
Did you know?
The University of Iowa has a college tuition program for students whose tribal affiliation is connected to the homelands is historical to the state of Iowa, allowing students to receive in-state tuition classification. Eligibility consists of the 67 tribes associated with the Iowa, Kickapoo, Menominee, Miami, Missouri (Otoe), Ojibwa (Chippewa), Omaha, Otoe (Missouri), Ottawa (Odawa), Potawatomi, Sac and Fox (Sauk, Meskwaki), Sioux, or Winnebago (Ho Chunk) Nations.
For questions on the Summer Program, contact Alma Bernal at alma-bernal@uiowa.edu.
Stay connected with program information and reminders by following our Facebook page.
Iowa First Nations Summer 2022
Additional Information
The deadline to apply for Summer 2022 has passed.
Participants will be high school students in good standing who are entering the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade and who have heritage backgrounds that are based on Native American culture.
Participants must be affiliated with one of the 67 tribes associated with the Iowa, Kickapoo, Menominee, Miami, Missouri (Otoe), Ojibwa (Chippewa), Omaha, Otoe (Missouri), Ottawa (Odawa), Potawatomi, Sac and Fox (Sauk, Meskwaki), Sioux, or Winnebago (Ho Chunk) nations.
Participants are expected to pay for their own travel costs to and from the program. There is limited funding to help cover travel costs. Other expenses like lodging, meals, and camp activities are at no cost to the student upon admission into the program.
The application process is closed.
Click here to be directed to the online application. (link is external)
Alma Bernal alma-bernal@uiowa.edu
NEW this year: A select number of students can be awarded travel reimbursement to attend the Iowa First Nations. Funds are limited and applications submitted by the priority deadline of Sunday, April 17, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. CST will be considered for travel reimbursement based on their application information. Awarded participants will be notified of their program acceptance. Mileage reimbursement is applicable for participants by car at .29 cents per mile or by airfare transportation of up to $225. Bus transportation costs will not be reimbursed.
If you would apply to hos a workshop during the program, please fill out this form: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1yJETUKq9RLcZ4a
If you would like to apply as a paid instructor, please send your resume to alma-bernal@uiowa.edu.