Hoop of Learning (HOL)

The Hoop of Learning (HOL) is a scholarship-based, high school-to-college bridge program for American Indian high school students. It allows students to earn college credits while still attending high school. The Hoop program helps students navigate the college enrollment process and provides support services to ensure academic success.

HOL is Indigenous by design, based on a traditional Native American worldview of a circle, or hoop, of lifelong development. Its mission is to encourage, support, and create conditions that empower American Indian students to complete high school and transition successfully to higher education.

Program Goals

The HOL Program has four primary goals for its students:

  1. Support high school graduation
  2. Increase enrollment and participation in college
  3. Empower students to reach their goals by providing the tools and resources needed to complete the program
  4. Prepare students to succeed by removing barriers

The Benefits of Being an HOL Student

  • Get a jump start on earning college credit
  • Cultural events, guest speakers, and workshops
  • One-on-one advising
  • Cohorted classes: meet other American Indian students
  • On-campus experience and resources: tutoring, counseling, library, computer lab, and more

The HOL program is looking for high school students who meet the following criteria:

  • Must be a registered member of a state or federally-recognized tribal nation
  • Must have a 2.0 minimum high school grade point average (GPA)
  • Must be actively enrolled in high school and on track to graduate on time
  • Applicants can apply in the fall semester of their 10th, 11th, or 12th grade year. Most programs start a new cohort of students in the summer semester. Check with GCC’s Hoop of Learn team for exact dates and deadlines
  • Student & Guardian(s)/Parent(s) must attend mandatory orientation

Important Deadlines

  • 2025-2026 application is now open!
  • Priority application deadline: December 16, 2024.
  • Application will remain open until spots are filled.

Applicants can apply anytime while in HS to start the program the following semester @ GCC

HOL Application Steps

There are three steps to participate in the Hoop of Learning program.

Step 1: Submit the online application:

HOL program application (online) will need the following items:

  • Create an account - be sure to use a personal email address that you can access. Do not use your high school email.
  • Unofficial high school transcripts
  • US Birth Certificate
  • Photo ID (high school ID)
  • Tribal Certificate/ID (CIB)
  • Determine your Field of Interest. Here is a video about Field of Interest
Apply now

Step 2: The completed application will be evaluated based on the selection criteria to the left.

Step 3: If accepted into the HOL program, you must complete the following additional steps.

  • Attend the mandatory New HOL Student and Guardian/Parent Orientation
  • Complete Assessment Testing

*Tribes are distinct political entities with political sovereignty. Tribal sovereign nations have a government-to-government relationship with the U.S. government based on historical treaties, statues, and historical relations. Arizona is a unique state with 22 federally-recognized Native American tribes located within its borders. Maricopa Community Colleges recognizes the unique sovereign status of these tribes as well as those across the United States. As such, all scholarships offered to tribally enrolled members of a sovereign nation are not based on race or ethnicity but rather acknowledgement of tribal communities' unique political status recognized by the federal government and protected by the U.S. Constitution within the United States.

 

Questions? Contact the Hoop of Learning program:

Email hol@gccaz.edu or

Call the Hoop of Learning front desk at 623-845-3094.