Hoop of Learning (HOL)

About Hoop

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.

If you would like someone to connect with you and provide more information about the program, including requirements, next steps, and deadlines, please complete the Hoop of Learning Interest Form. A representative from our Early Outreach Program will follow up with you soon.

  1. Our Mission

    Encourage, enable and empower Native American students to complete high school and transition successfully into higher education.

    • Increase high school retention and graduation rates
    • Increase Native American participation and matriculation rates into college
    • Create the conditions for retaining Native American students to reach their higher education goals
    • Enhance Native American culturally relevant curriculum
    • Increase diversity of campuses
    • Strengthen external collaboration by establishing partnerships with Native American communities, school districts and other agencies

  2. Eligibility

    Native American Students enrolled in high school grades 9-12 with a 2.0 or higher Grade Point Average (GPA) and with good classroom attendance.

    Students must:

    • Be an enrolled member of a federal/state recognized tribe (or in the process of obtaining a census number).
    • Students must take assessment tests in Reading, Writing and Mathematics.
    • Student must have a minimum 2.00 GPA in High School.
    • Student and Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are required to attend the mandatory orientation.

  3. Application Process

    Student must submit:

    • A completed Hoop of Learning Application.
    • Complete the GCC Student Admission Process.
    • Copies of Birth Certificate and Tribal Enrollment.

    Complete and turn in an online Hoop of Learning application. All Native American students are required to take the EdReady | English, Reading and Math placement tests.

    All Native American Indian students accepted into the program will participate with their parents or guardian in a mandatory program orientation prior to the first day of class.

The Benefits of Being a 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

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

Here is a guide to help you apply to GCC with step by step instructions.

If you are a first-time student to college and GCC (no Maricopa account), follow the steps below; all others move to Step 2.

As a first-time student to GCC, you must apply for admission to GCC at admissions.maricopa.edu. When completing the application, you must select Glendale Community College and the term/semester you plan on starting (if you have questions, you can contact our HOL office).

Eligibility for in-state tuition is determined by submitting Acceptable Documents for Citizenship and having lived in Arizona for a minimum of one year.

If you have established citizenship but have not lived in Arizona for at least one year, a parent/guardian may complete the online form DOMICILE AFFIDAVIT - Dependent Student and provide the required documents on behalf of their dependent student for consideration of the in-state tuition rate. The student will sign into the online form using their [email protected] and password. You may need to approve your login via the Duo application. This form should be submitted before the registration deadline.

If you are experiencing issues with your MEID, the Your MEID page may have the answer you're looking for.

If you need help with Duo, student e-mail, maricopa.edu, or your MEID, the Maricopa District Student Help Desk offers 24-hour technical support.

Phone: 888-994-4433

After being admitted, you will apply using your Maricopa MEID login. Please use our HOL Application Reference Guide.

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

Apply now

Completed applications will be reviewed to determine student's eligibility.

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

Tribal Disclaimer

*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.

Contact Information

Questions? Contact the Hoop of Learning program:

Email [email protected] or

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