'Helping Tribal Citizens achieve their educational goals"

Higher Education Scholarship Policies

SECTION I

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Higher Education program is as follows:

1. To financially assist qualified applicants who are enrolled in an accredited college or university

2. The purpose of these guidelines is to establish policies and procedures that govern the awarding of Higher Education funds.  Funding through the Higher Education program is allowed up to 5 years in a lifetime per student

3. Funding through the Sitka Tribe of Alaska is strictly supplemental.  This means that the majority of your funding must come from other sources

SECTION II

TRIBAL PRIORITIES

The Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s priority for Higher Education funding are:

1. An enrolled member of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska

2. Eligible Seniors who have met the minimum requirements

3. Eligible Juniors who have met the minimum requirements

4. Eligible Sophomores who have met the minimum requirements

5. Eligible Freshmen who have met the minimum requirements

6. Eligible Graduate students who have met the minimum requirements may be considered providing that funds are available

7. Other qualified applicants who have met the minimum requirements will be considered providing that funds are available.

SECTION III

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The make-up and responsibilities of the Education Committee are outlined as follows:

1. The Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Education Committee shall consist of at least one (1) tribal council member and interested tribal citizens

2. The responsibilities of the Education Committee are:

   1. Select eligible applicants who have met the minimum requirements of the Higher Education program

   2. Approve/deny applications

   3. Review and determine funding awards

   4. Review academic progress, probation and suspension

SECTION IV

APPLICATION PROCESS

To qualify for the Higher Education program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Must be an enrolled member of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska (CIB)

2. Must be an enrolled member of a Federally recognized tribe (CIB)

3. Must have a high school diploma or GED

4. Must have a complete file for application to be considered.  A complete file consists of the following:

1. Sitka Tribe of Alaska Higher Education application on file

2. Most recent official high school or college transcript

3. A letter of acceptance from the college/university student will be attending

4. Budget verification form filled out and signed by the Financial Aid Officer at the college/university student will be attending

5. Students are required to apply for Federal Aid via FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

6. A Student Aid Report (SAR generated by the FAFSA) will be required before the committee will review the application

7. The deadlines for the Higher Education scholarship program are:

Fall – May 1^st

Winter & Spring – October 1^st

8. Release of information

5. Continuing students are REQUIRED to re-apply each year to continue to receive Higher Education funding

6. Students who are in default of any Federal or State loans (eg. Perkins, Stafford etc.) are not eligible for Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Higher Education scholarship funds until the loan(s) have been satisfied.

SECTION V

TIMELINE FOR COMPLETING APPLICATION PROCESS

Students should plan on 90 days prior to the start of school to expedite the following:

1. Sitka Tribe of Alaska application

2. Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  On average it take 45-60 days for the Federal Government and your school to complete the FAFSA process

3. Committee decision on application

SECTION VI

COURSE APPROVAL

For a course/program to be funded under the Higher Education program it must meet the following conditions:

1. May attend an accredited 2 year Jr. college, credits must be transferable to a 4 year school

2. May attend a 4 year college/university

3. Courses must be consistent and relevant to complete the desired degree

4. The Sitka Tribe of Alaska does not fund for the summer terms unless student can prove that they are near completion.  In order to qualify for a waiver, you may carry no more than 5 credits

SECTION VII

NOTIFICATION OF GRANT AWARD

1. Students will be notified in writing regarding their grant award

2. An award notice will state the specific amount and length of the grant award

SECTION VIII

PAYMENT OF GRANT AWARDS

1. Payments will be made to the student at the beginning of each quarter/semester through the financial aid office at the college/university were the student is attending

2. In the event that a student fails or drop out of their program, the school has been instructed to return any remaining STA funds

SECTION IX

ACADEMIC PROGRESS DURING TRAINING

The following are the minimum academic requirements:

1. Seniors must maintain a 2.50 GPA per quarter/semester and maintain a full course load (12 credit hours or more)

2. Juniors must maintain a 2.25 GPA per quarter/semester and maintain a full course load (12 credit hours or more)

3. Sophomores must maintain a 2.20 GPA per quarter/semester and maintain a full course load (12 credit hours or more)

4. Freshmen must maintain a 2.00 GPA per quarter/semester and maintain a full course load (12 credit hours or more)

5. Graduate students must maintain the minimum standards (as determined by the graduate program) and maintain a full course load (as determined by the graduate program) each quarter/semester

SECTION X

COMPLETION OF PROGRAM/TRAINING

Once a student has successfully completed their degree program, they are required to submit an official transcript and a copy of their diploma to the STA Education Dept.

SECTION XI

TRANSFERS

A student may transfer to any accredited school of their choice providing:

1. Student MUST notify us in writing prior to any transfer of schools

2. Student is responsible for transferring their financial aid to their new school

3. Upon transfer, a student must submit to the STA Education Dept., a NEW budget forecast that reflect the budget at the new school

SECTION XII

ACADEMIC PROBATION

Terms and conditions of an academic probationary status are outlined as follows:

1. Student’s who do not meet the minimum GPA and credit hour requirement as as outlined in Section IX, will be placed on academic probation.

2. Student will be notified in writing of academic probation.  Students will have 1 term set by the college/university, to meet the minimum standards

3. Failure to meet the minimum standards by the end of the probationary term will result in an academic suspension

SECTION XIII

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION

Terms and conditions of an academic suspension are outlined as follows:

1. If student has not met the academic standards by the end of the probationary period they will be placed on academic suspension.  Students will be notified by certified mail

2. All funding through the Sitka Tribe of Alaska will be suspended until the student has met the minimum standards as outlined in Section IX

3. Student may be eligible for reinstatement of funding once they have met the minimum standards.  Official transcripts from the college/university will be required to determine eligibility

SECTION XIV

APPEALS

Students wishing to appeal a denial of funding must:

1. Submit a letter stating the reason(s) for the appeal to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Education Department

2. The Education Committee will meet within 72 hours after receipt of the appeal to review and decide on the appeal

3. The Education Committee’s decision will be final

4. Students will be notified by certified mail as to the outcome of the decision