Gala to benefit American Indian students enrolling in on-campus and online universities

Gala to benefit American Indian students enrolling in on-campus and online universities

The American Indian College Fund has announced it will hold a gala to raise funds for it scholarship programs, which may help Native American students succeed in classroom-based and online degree programs.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of helping American Indians enroll in higher education programs, the organization is hosting its 14th annual Flame of Hope Gala on October 28 in Denver.

The event will feature presentations from American Indian college students, who will offer a glimpse of the forthcoming 'Think Indian' television campaign and a performance by Gladys Knight.

Expected attendees include celebrity co-chairs Irene Bedard, Benjamin Bratt and Phil Jackson as well as top political figures from across Colorado.

All proceeds will benefit the Tribal College General and Special Scholarship programs as well as the fund's Austin Family Scholarship Endowment. The awards are intended to offer more than 6,000 students per year "access to knowledge, skills and cultural values which enhance their communities and the country as a whole," according to the organization's website.

Working adults or students from diverse backgrounds may seek similar financial aid options to pay for online courses, which allow individuals to obtain higher education on their own schedule.