Department of Education
58620 Sink Rd., P.O. Box 180, Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269)782-0887 or toll-free at 1-888-330-1234
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The Pokagon Band funds an Adult Vocational scholarship program to assist Band Members who are pursuing a certification which is not towards a degree program. The certification must be taken at an accredited institution.
Funding is available up to $2,000 lifetime total for each individual member, based on unmet need. Unmet need is determined by adding the costs for tuition, fees, books, transportation, and room/board and subtracting other grants, scholarships, and tuition waivers received by the student, as reported by the institution's financial aid or business office.
Summary
- The Scholarship is only available for Pokagon Band members.
- $2,000 scholarship dollars are available for each member, but only up to the dollar amount. (i.e. either the entire fund can be used at one time or just a portion of the funds over a lifetime.)
- Scholarship covers training expenses. (i.e. tuition, transportation, books, housing, fees, and any other related training expenses.)
Enrollment into the Adult Vocational Scholarship
- Complete Adult Vocational Scholarship application.
- Make a copy of their tribal enrollment card.
- Institution must be accredited and a letter of accreditation needs to be sent to the Education Department
- Bill of related training expenses (ex: invoice or receipt from institution.)
APPLICATION FORMS AND DOWNLOADS
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The Pokagon Band funds a higher education scholarship program to assist Band Members who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited college or university.
Funding is available up to $1,000 per semester, based on unmet need. Unmet need is determined by adding the costs for tuition, fees, books, transportation, and room/board and subtracting other grants, scholarships, and tuition waivers received by the student, as reported by the college/university financial aid office. For part-time students, room and board is not included in the calculation. For students who are also WIA clients, transportation costs are not included in the calculation.
Eligibility
- Must be an enrolled member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.
- Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited public, private, or BIA-funded college or university. (For certificate programs, utilize the Pokagon Vo-Tech Award.)
- Must apply for all campus-based financial aid via the college or university's financial aid office using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is to be submitted before applying for the Pokagon Higher Education Scholarship.
- Must apply for the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver if attending a public college or university in Michigan and having an Indian blood quantum level of ¼ or more.
Requirements
(NOTE: These requirements are the sole responsibility of the individual student.)
- Must use funds for education-related expenses.
- Must attend the institution listed on the scholarship application.
- Must submit official copy of class schedule prior to the beginning of each academic period (i.e. term or semester) to verify enrollment.
- Must maintain current address, telephone number, e-mail address, and other contact information with the Pokagon Band Department of Education. Must notify Dept. of Education of any changes in contact information.
- Must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or the minimum standard for the higher education institution. If the student's cumulative grade point average drops below 2.0, the student can receive one grace semester of scholarship funding to increase the GPA.
- Must complete degree within specified timeframe. If the student changes course of study, the student is still responsible for completing the revised degree within the original timeframe.
- Associates degree—to be completed within three years.
- Bachelor's degree—to be completed within five years.
- Graduate degree (Masters, Ph.D., J.D., etc.)—to be completed within five years.
- Must notify the Pokagon Band Department of Education after dropping a class or withdrawing from school completely. The portion of the Pokagon Higher Education Scholarship received for the dropped class(es) must be paid back to the Pokagon Band within a one-year timeframe.
- Must submit official grade report at the conclusion of each academic period (term/semester)
- Must submit a copy of diploma upon graduation.
- Must submit one application per academic year, except for Summer semester—which requires a separate application.
Appeals
Any applicant who has been denied scholarship funding may file an appeal for reconsideration.
- 1st Level of Appeal: Submit written request to Pokagon Education Committee.
- 2nd Level of Appeal: Submit written request to Tribal Council. Their decision shall be final.
APPLICATION FORMS AND DOWNLOADS
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Summary
- Scholarship is only available for Pokagon Band members.
- Scholarship can be used for any accredited higher education institution. (Ex: community colleges and universities)
- Up to $1,000/semester may be awarded to each participant
- Scholarship is available for part and full-time college students.
Who Qualifies for the Tuition Wavier?
A person who...
- Is no less than 1/4 quantum blood degree, and whose Blood quantum (citizenship) is certified by the student's tribe.
- Has had legal residence in the State of Michigan for the past 12 months.
- Qualifies for admission as a full-time, part-time, or summer school student attending a public, state, community, junior college, public college, or public university.
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Note...
- The law does not include reference nor include language pertaining to academic suspension, probation or progress. Therefore, the tuition waiver is NOT based on academic achievement.
- Continuing students who have been previously verified AND attending at the same university/college need not reapply. Reapplication occurs only when changing university or college.
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Process for Tuition Waiver Program
Native Americans interested in attending college, must take the following steps to qualify for the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver Program:
- Admission Students need to apply and be accepted to a college. The MITW program only guarantees tuition payment, not admission.
- Tribal Certification Tribal governments or the Bureau of Indian Affairs certify blood quantum by checking tribal or federal records.
- Native American students must complete the student portion of the tuition waiver application and forward the application to their tribe to complete the "Tribal Certification" portion.
- Or Native American students may obtain an original letter of certification from their tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs and verify 12 months of residency.
- Proof of residency Twelve (12) consecutive months of residency must be provided to the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc.
- ITC will check the student's application for completeness and confirm that the student has obtained a certification of 1/4 blood quantum from the Tribe or Bureau of Indian Affairs and verify 12 months residency.
- ITC will forward documentation of verification to the Financial Aid Office of the Michigan public community college or university. Verifications will not be forwarded to the school or university without certification and documentation of residency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit http://www.itcmi.org/ituition.html to get additional information and answers to frequently asked questions. Contact the Pokagon Band Department of Education if you need any assistance.
APPLICATION FORMS AND DOWNLOADS
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[PDF] Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver Application
This form is required to apply for the Michigan Tuition Waiver. Application must be complete and received by the Inter Tribal Council of MIchigan, Inc. (ITC) six (6) weeks prior to class registration or as soon as possible.
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Summary
- The tuition waiver is for qualified individuals and covers the tuition cost at higher education institutions.
- Students qualify if:
- They are Michigan residents for 12 months,
- Attending a public Michigan higher education institution,
- Have blood quantum of ¼ or higher.
- Send the completed application along with an addressed envelope, copy of the applicant's driver's license, social security card, and tribal card to the enrollment office.
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