Scholars Pathway Program 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Click on any question below to reveal answer. 

As College Horizons returns to in-person programming in 2023, we appreciate your support and understanding of our vaccination policy as we prepare to gather students and faculty on our college campuses. Our goal remains to provide safe and healthy summer programs for our participants and to return our students and faculty safely to their families and communities.

Native American and Native Hawaiian communities have been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and experienced a disproportionally high rate of contracting and dying from the virus compared to other racial and ethnic groups. College Horizons is based in New Mexico among Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache Territories. Staff experienced the pandemic’s devastating toll to our families, communities, and Tribal Nations firsthand and among our 2020-2022 College Horizons remote participants, 25% had an immediate family member pass away, 30% had an extended family member pass away, and just over 50% knew someone in their school, neighborhood, or community who passed away from the virus. We have all endured so much over the last three years.

In response to the pandemic, College Horizons recommitted to a student-centered approach and relied on our core values and Indigenous practices of “being a good relative” to refine our programmatic goals to:

    • Reassure students and families on the college admission and financial aid process,
    • Rework the way we work to reach higher education (via remote delivery), and
    • Be good Relatives by focusing on the wellbeing of students and meeting them where they are at.

In these pandemic years, College Horizons has been reimagined to offer a remote working and participation option to reassure, rework, relate and respond to the changing needs of our students and higher education.

The College Horizon’s “COVID-19 Vaccination & Mitigation Policy” supports our efforts in “being a good relative.” As a commitment to maintain a safe and healthy workplace for employees, the College Horizons Board of Directors, unanimously passed the “COVID-19 Vaccination & Mitigation Policy” to protect employees, our families, program participants (including college partners, volunteers, and students), business partners, clients, customers, visitors, and our Indigenous Nations, villages and islands from the hazard of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccination & Mitigation FAQ

Does College Horizons have a COVID-19 vaccine requirement to participate in the 2023 Scholars Pathway Program?

Yes, all participants of the 2023 College Horizons in-person programs, including student and faculty, are required to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination series. As of November 2022, the current CDC recommended COVID-19 vaccination series includes the primary dose, secondary dose, booster 1, and bivalent booster 2. You must submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption to attend the program in-person.

How do I provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination?

Upon admission to the program, an admitted student will receive instructions to upload their COVID-19 vaccination card as proof they have received the full COVID-19 vaccination series that includes 2 primary doses, booster 1, and bivalent booster 2. As vaccination cards are considered medical records, admitted students will upload their vaccination cards through a secure portal that complies with HIPPA and protects personal health information. Do not email vaccination information to College Horizons. College Horizons uses a designated Travel Agency to book all student airline tickets and before a student can book a ticket, they must provide their COVID-19 vaccination that shows proof they have received the ful COVID-19 vaccination series.

What is the deadline to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination?

By May 8, 2023, a student admitted to the program will need to provide a COVID-19 Vaccination card as proof they have received the full COVID-19 vaccination series that includes 2 primary doses, booster 1, and booster 2. College Horizons uses a designated Travel Agency to book all student airline tickets and before a student can book a ticket, they must provide their COVID-19 Vaccination that shows proof they have received the full COVID-19 vaccination series.

What brand of COVID-19 Vaccination shots should I get?

College Horizons cannot provide medical advice on which brand of COVID-19 vaccination to receive. Please consult with a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or doctor on the COVID-19 vaccination that is available for your age group.

What if I am unvaccinated? When should I get my COVID-19 Vaccination?

Applicants and participants need to plan to have received the full vaccination series by May 8, 2023. The COVID-19 vaccination series generally requires 3 weeks between shots, so a student who has not received any COVID-19 vaccinations will need 12 weeks to become fully vaccinated. To meet the May 8, 2023, deadline to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination requires an unvaccinated student to start their vaccination series by mid-January 2023.

What if I am partially vaccinated?

Applicants and participants need to plan to have received the full vaccination series by May 8, 2023. The COVID-19 vaccination series generally requires 3 weeks between shots, so a student who is partially vaccinated needs to plan 3-9 weeks to become fully vaccinated. To meet the May 8, 2023, deadline to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination requires an unvaccinated student to start their vaccination series by mid-January 2023. 

If I have already had COVID, am I still required to be vaccinated?

Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. The vaccine requirement still applies to those with recent COVID-19 infection. Experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19, especially as new COVID-19 variants emerge. Studies have shown that vaccination provides a strong boost in protection in people who have recovered from COVID-19. Visit the CDC website to learn more about why getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection than getting infected.

What if I do not plan on getting vaccinated because I have a religious or medical reason that prevents me from being vaccinated? Are there exceptions or exemptions?
Yes, College Horizons COVID-19 vaccine requirement allows for exemptions. Medical exemptions and religious exceptions can be requested by completing the appropriate form. Complete the Medical Condition/Disability/Pregnancy/Lactation Status Accommodation Request Form if you are an individual with a disability or medical condition that prevents you from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals requesting medical exemptions will also have to submit additional documentation signed by a healthcare provider. Complete the Religious Accommodation Request Form if you are an individual who holds a sincere religious belief that prevents you from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Medical exemptions and religious exceptions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis; they are not automatically granted.
Be aware that individuals who receive a religious, medical, or health-related exemption are not guaranteed in-person participation. Accommodation forms will be made available once the online application is released.

Program FAQ

What is the College Horizons Scholars Pathway Program?

The Scholars Pathway Program (SPP) is a summer program designed to empower Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian College Horizons alumni in their transition from high school to college. In the SPP, the students will complete a 4-year pathway program that includes four activities: a 1-week Transition-to-College bridge program for rising first-year students, a 1-week Introduction to Indigenous Research Methodologies for rising sophomores (includes a stipend), a 3-day Pre-Graduate & Research Institute for rising juniors, and a 3-day Graduate Horizons for rising seniors. Throughout the year, students will receive academic coaching and opportunities to engage through a more robust and contiguous SPP to better meet their mentoring, academic, socio-emotional, pre-graduate advising, and reseach needs. The SPP will prepare students by addressing their holistic needs to be successful and help make their higher education journey relevant by connecting their culture and community to college. Stipends will be available to college sophomore participants.

What are the major changes to the revised Scholars Program?

In 2016-2019, the Scholars Program was originally designed as a three-week summer bridge opportunity for rising first year college students. In order to better serve more Scholars at different points in their college journey, College Horizons modified the programming into one-week opportunities for college freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. From 2020-2023, the revised Scholars Program Pathway will be implemented.

What is the Mellon Foundation and why is it important to the Scholars Pathway Program?

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation endeavors to strengthen, promote, and, where necessary, defend the contributions of the humanities and the arts to human flourishing and to the well-being of diverse and democratic societies. The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship is a program aligned with the foundation’s mission to address the problem of underrepresentation in the academy at the level of college and university faculties. This goal can be achieved both by increasing the number of students from underrepresented minority groups who pursue PhDs and by supporting the pursuit of PhDs by students who may not come from traditional minority groups but have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to the goals of MMUF. With the support from The Mellon Foundation for the Scholars Program, students will be introduced to the arts and humanities discipline and those interested in pursuing a PhD in the humanities fields will be given additional advising.

How does the Scholars Pathway Program connect to College Horizons and Graduate Horizons?

Existing College Horizons programs reach Native students at two points: 11th and 12th graders preparing to apply to colleges, and college juniors and seniors preparing to apply to graduate or professional school. The Scholars Program will bridge these other efforts, creating a well-supported trajectory for college success that addresses the challenges Native students encounter in college, especially in their first two years. This comprehensive approach will enable College Horizons to build a more robust pathway of high-achieving Native students—increasing not only college completion, but accomplishment. In addition, Scholars will have reserved spots to participate in the Graduate Horizons program.

I am still waiting on my admission decision and I am not sure which college I will attend. Can I still apply to the Scholars Pathway Program by the deadline?

Yes you are still eligible and you can still apply. There is a section in the application where applicants can list all the colleges and universities they applied and the decision outcome (i.e. admitted, denied, waitlisted, deferred, or still waiting on decision). If you have not committed to a college or received an admission letter by the application deadline, there is an option for you to indicate that in that application and you can submit your admission letter and financial award letter at a later time to scholars@collegehorizons.org.

How much does it cost to participate in the Scholars Pathway Program?

All expenses are covered to participate in the Scholars Program. The program is free. Graduate Horizons travel funds will be prioritized for CH Scholars alumni.

How are students selected to participate in the Scholars Pathway Program?

The Scholars Pathway Program is open to College Horizons alumni. Students apply online and are selected by College Horizons. The SPP will accommodate up to 70 students for all four activities (20 for Transition to College, 20 for Introduction to Indigenous Research Methodologies, 10 for Pre-Graduate Research Institute and 20 for Graduate Horizons). Students will be admitted whom the committee believes will benefit the most from the Scholars Pathway Program.

What happens if a student is not selected to participate in Scholars Pathway Program?

Students not selected will be offered to receive the same academic coaching from College Horizons to help them while in college. Students should also research and consider their respective college or university’s summer bridge or research opportunities.

What does a typical day look like at the Scholars Pathway Program?

Scholars will attend courses and workshops Monday – Friday starting at 9am and going into the evening. There will be breaks for meals and group activities.

Can students earn academic credit through Scholars Pathway Program?

No, students will not receive any academic credit for the courses taken.

Do students receive funding for attending the Scholars Pathway Program?

Yes, only sophomore participants will receive a $550 stipend for their participation in the 1-week Introduction to Indigenous Research Methodologies program.

Do students have to stay on campus during the program?

During the Scholars Pathway Program, all students must reside on the college campus.

Who are the staff running the Scholars Pathway Program?

The Director of the Scholars Program (DSP) and the Scholars Fellow and Program Associate are the primary contacts and program administrators. There will be up to four faculty professors who will be teaching the courses. In addition, there will be guest speakers and lecturers.

Who can provide more information about the Scholars Pathway Program?

All questions should be directed to Director of the Scholars Program Mikaela Crank: mikaela@collegehorizons.org