Rural ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Honors Institute (RAHI) is a competitive program that gives rural and ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Native students a chance to find out what it's like to be a college student. For six weeks, students live in dorms on ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ's Troth Yeddha' campus, take an average of 9 college credits, explore interior ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ through a variety of outdoor activities, and volunteer in the Fairbanks community. The best part, aside from getting college credits and gaining lifelong friends from across the state, is that the entire experience is completely free.
May 27th - July 11th, 2025
To attend RAHI, you must:
- Be ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Native or rural ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñn
- Be a high school junior or senior (students will attend RAHI after their junior or senior year of high school)
- Have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
- Have the ability to read at or above grade level
- Be committed to earning a college degree
- RAHI Traditional is an exploratory track that offers a variety of elective options. It accommodates
students who are particularly interested in one of the course subjects or who may
not know what their path is. Courses include Writing, Indigenous Cultures of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ;
Library Science; Study Skills; Process Technology, Math, or Chemistry; and a recreation
class.
- RAHI Research is for students who are interested in conducting science. Students are paired with
ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ research mentors that help them conduct projects. Courses include Biomedical Research;
Undergraduate Research Experience; Organic and Biochemistry; and a recreation class.
- RAHI Teach is for students who are interested in teaching, particularly within the state of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ. Courses include Indigenous Cultures of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ; Library Science, Study Skills; Teaching for ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ's Future; and a recreation class.
Yes! Students earn an average of 9 college credits while at RAHI, depending
on the classes they choose. These credits will apply to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ and can be transferred
to other universities. Credits may meet degree or elective requirements. You will
work with an advisor to figure out how best to apply them to your program.
In addition, students may work with their high schools to determine what courses can be applied as dual credit. This is especially nice for juniors who want to shorten up their senior year.
In addition, students may work with their high schools to determine what courses can be applied as dual credit. This is especially nice for juniors who want to shorten up their senior year.
RAHI is completely FREE to students! Costs covered include:
- Transportation to and from Fairbanks
- Tuition
- Meals
- Housing
- Activities
- Supplies
For six weeks, you'll live in a dorm with a roommate on the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Troth Yeddha'
Campus going to classes, eating food at the Wood Center, and participating in a number
of recreational activities.
Weekdays:
Weekdays:
- 8:00am-3:15pm - Academic Classes
- 3:30pm-5:00pm - Recreation Class
- 5:00pm-6:00pm - Dinner
- 7:00pm-9:00pm - Study Hall (Sunday through Thursday)
- Angel Rocks/Chena Hot Springs Hike
- Fairbanks Scavenger Hunt
- Fun Olympics at Bingle Camp
- Denali Whitewater Rafting
- 4th of July Picnic
- Chena River Float
- Midnight Sun Run
- Volunteer at Calypso Farms
- Volunteer at the Large Animal Research Station
Yes! When you're at RAHI, you'll be given a lot of different opportunities
and we expect you to jump on them and give us 100%. It's all part of building relationships,
grit, and getting you out of your comfort zone. Although, if you have health-related
concerns, we'll work with you to modify the activities or find alternatives whenever
appropriate.
Whether you're a Fairbanks local or from a community three flights away, you'll
be expected to participate in all of the academic and recreational activities that
are part of RAHI. However, we build in free time and allow approved friends and family
members to spend time with you both on campus and off. We're all about balance and
your support network is a large part of that. Just be sure your parent or guardian
lets us know who is approved to take you under their wing.
Students who participated in their junior year may apply to RAHI again in their senior
year, but selection preference will go to those students who have not yet experienced
it. The result is that, while we love and support our alumni, they will only be chosen
to attend a second session of RAHI if we do not have enough qualified first-timers
to fill slots.