The University

He was an eloquent writer and learned at an early age that he would be able to advance his ideals much more effectively using the mighty pen. This is evidenced in his invitation to sculptor 

As with any great dream, Crazy Horse Memorial's educational efforts started small. In 1978, the Crazy Horse Memorial® scholarship program began with a single college scholarship of $250 awarded to a college student studying in South Dakota. Korczak called it a "modest effort now toward the future, long-range educational goals of Crazy Horse." Today, the cumulative total awarded to American Indian students attending colleges or universities in South Dakota and other select colleges and universities including tribal colleges exceeds $2 million. Eligible recipients must be Native American Indian students who plan to attend or are attending a South Dakota college, university, vocational-technical school or tribal college. Crazy Horse Memorial® does not process scholarship applications. Funds are distributed to qualifying colleges, universities and technical institutions and recipients. Interested students should contact the financial aid office at their college.

In the last eleven years, over 400 students from 70 Native Nations and 29 states have successfully completed an academic program of The Indian University of North America® of Crazy Horse Memorial® and continued their college studies at universities and colleges throughout the United States. Native students who start college at The Indian University of North America® are provided an unconventional level of student support from University Student Success Coaches, regardless of where students pursue their degrees. Each year, University leaders complete a college persistence/college completion research report involving summer program participants. In a recent survey, an 81% response rate was attained, confirming that 72% of the respondents remained in college or had graduated. Alumni now in the workforce include teachers, counselors, social workers, nurses, and business professionals. Individual alumni have also reported that they found work as an assistant museum curator, a police officer, a bank examiner, and a dental hygienist. The list of occupations for our graduates is limitless. Typically, many college graduates return to the reservation to share their talents, or they are employed with a Native-led organization.