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Downloadable Documents: MILLE LACS
BAND HIGHER EDUCATION OFFICE
Updated 4/28/05 Purpose: The Mille Lacs Band Higher Education Office (MLBHEO) is established to assist enrolled members of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and their children as they pursue their educational goals. A financial award may also be given to those members who successfully obtain their degree, diploma or certificate.
Eligibility RequirementsŘ ENROLLED MEMBER OF THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE; Ř NON-ENROLLED BIOLOGICAL CHILD; or Ř LEGALLY ADOPTED CHILD OF AN ENROLLED BAND MEMBER.
Criteria
§ A non-enrolled child must be a descendant in the first degree. (one parent must be an enrolled Mille Lacs Band Member) § Biological children who are enrolled elsewhere are required to provide enrollment information from their home agency. § Legally adopted children of American Indian Decent must provide appropriate documentation (legal adoption records). The child must have been adopted for a minimum of 5 years prior to seeking funding.
Mille Lacs Band Scholarship Program To be considered for a Mille Lacs Band Scholarship, a student must do the following:
Admission fees to colleges, universities, and technical schools are the responsibility of the student.
Please send a copy to the MLBSP office.
Application must be completed once a year prior to the deadline date of the semester or quarter for which you plan on receiving funding. It is to the student’s advantage that the application be filled out completely and required documents submitted. Missing information will delay the application and payment process. For returning/continuing students: your academic transcripts from each school you have attended must be on file.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If a resident of Minnesota and attending a post secondary institution in Minnesota, apply to the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program (ISAP). Apply for other available financial aid such as Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Veteran’s Benefits etc. If enrolled elsewhere student must apply to home agency, prior to applying with the Mille Lacs Band Higher Education Office. A copy of your Mille Lacs Band Scholarship application may be sent to the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program to calculate funding and determine financial need. Students may be granted up to a maximum of $9,000.00 for each academic year including living expenses depending on need. In addition, reimbursement for books and required supplies for classes, syllabus required, will be up to $375.00 per semester, $250.00 per quarter, when receipts are submitted to the Mille Lacs Band Higher Education Office. Classroom supplies refer to supplies that are required for the course, such as clay, paint, paintbrushes etc. for an Art class. Not covered are pens, pencils, notebooks, book bags, etc.
Fulltime/Part-time Status Fulltime status refers to students taking 12 credits or more per semester. A part-time student may be eligible to receive tuition, books and fees only (Unmet need will be paid after student has received alternative funding (PELL, ISAP, etc. up to $9,000.00 per school year). To be funded for upcoming terms within the same academic year, previous term grades are required. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better with no incompletes, withdrawals or failing grades. Applications must be completed once a year. The following are deadline dates for receiving scholarship applications by the Mille Lacs Band Higher Education Office.
Before scholarship billing will be paid, students must have on file in the Higher Education office the following: 1. A completed Mille Lacs Band Scholarship Application for the current academic year, to include all terms/semesters. 2. A Student Education Plan (SEP). The SEP must be submitted each academic year, beginning with the second year. 3. A complete student budget report by the Financial Aid Officer of attending school. 4. Receipts for books, and classroom supplies 5. Tuition invoice, billing or fee statement Online/Internet Classes Students wishing to take Internet classes must provide MLBHEO with the following, prior to enrolling in classes:
State and city taxes will not be paid by MLBEO. Students are expected to complete a program at a two-year institution within eight (8) quarters or five (5) semesters. Students who are attending a four-year institution will be allowed fifteen (15) quarters or ten (10) semesters to complete a four-year degree. Adjustments will be considered for part-time students.
Trial Quarter/Semester When a student does not complete a class, (i.e. withdrawal, incomplete, failing grade or GPA below a 2.0) which the Mille Lacs Band Scholarship Program has paid for, the student will be allowed to attend the upcoming term, but they will be on Trial Quarter/Semester. While on Trial Quarter/Semester, the Mille Lacs Band Higher Education Office will only pay tuition/books/tuition related fees and required class related supplies. HOWEVER, the second time a student does not complete a class (i.e. withdrawal, incomplete, failing grade or GPA below a 2.0) that the Mille Lacs Band has paid for; the student shall be placed on Academic Probation. Academic Probation While on Academic Probation the STUDENT will be required to pay for any class or classes taken. Students will remain on Academic Probation until successful completion of two consecutive terms, quarters, semesters, etc. funding will be the responsibility of the student, at either a fulltime or part-time status whichever the student was prior to being placed on Academic Probation. After 5 years the student can enroll in classes on a Trial Quarter/Semester basis. Appeal Process A Student may appeal their academic probation, in writing with supporting documentation, to the Higher Education Director, who will submit the appeal to the Scholarship Committee and/or the Commissioner of Education their decision is final.
Hardship Resources In cases where a full-time post secondary Sophomore, Junior or Senior student encounters a hardship that affects their academics, a letter of request along with an application may be submitted. The student should include pertinent billing information and documentation of hardship and submit the information to the Higher Education Director. The Scholarship Committee and/or Commissioner of Education will review the request, their decision is final. Upon approval, a one-time only grant (up to $1000.00) will be made.
Academic Achievement Awards To be considered for an academic achievement award, students who have completed their program or major after September 1, 1996, must submit a copy of their degree, diploma or certificate along with an application for an Academic Achievement Award to the Mille Lacs Band Higher Education Office. The following awards qualify: 1) Students, who have completed a program of at least ninety six (96) hours of classroom instruction and received a certificate for the completion, may be eligible to receive $100.00. Program must have been completed after January 1, 2000. 2) General Education Diploma (GED) or High School Diploma $500.00 3) Vocational/Technical Diploma/Certification. Program must be 24 credits hours. $1,000.00 4) Associated Degree (AA or AAS) $1,250.00 5) Bachelors Degree (BS or BA) $1,500.00 6) Graduate Degree (Masters or Doctoral) $2,000.00 *Workshops
and conferences will not be considered.
Educational Enrichment Awards Up to $500.00 per year, for an educational enrichment class or activity is available to members who meet eligibility requirements, Educational Enrichment Awards may be accessed by Band members and first descendants of all ages. Priority considerations will be based on the activity and income guidelines. As requests are received, applications will be placed on a priority request list, and selected at the beginning of each month until funding is depleted, limited to one Educational Enrichment Award per calendar year. Allowable education enrichment activities: 1) Educational classes 2) School based activities 3) Educational or culturally related field trips, camps or activities. Applicants who have received an enrichment award shall be low priority for future awards. Failure to complete an activity or class will result in denial of Educational Enrichment Awards for 1 year (Completion will be verified). *Educational Enrichment will not pay for hotels, meals, transportation, or athletic memberships nor will outstanding bills from previous years be paid. Travel Abroad and January-Term Requirements High School Students
College Students (Post Secondary)
Students who travel abroad will represent the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. An essay or photos for publication in the Mille Lacs Band newspapers will be required from each student. POST GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM
Purpose: To assist Mille Lacs Band Members with cost associated with the educational pursuit of Post Graduate degrees. Eligibility Requirements: 1. Must meet Mille Lacs Band Scholarship eligibilities requirements. 2. Proof of Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or university 3. Proof of acceptance to an accredited post secondary degree program. 4. Proof of a submitted application to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and any other sources of financial aid. If applicable, proof of submission of an application to the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program (ISAP) Maximum Award Amounts: 1. The Maximum award of $12,000.00 per school year will be awarded to eligible students. Only those students who meet all eligibility requirements will be funded. In addition, reimbursement for books and required supplies (a course syllabus may be requested) will be up to $375.00 per semester, $250.00 per quarter, when receipts are submitted to the Higher Education Office. Application Deadline: 1. All required documentation must be turned in to the Higher Education Office no later that March 15th of the year in which you plan to begin your post graduate program. 2. If you miss this deadline, you will be given an opportunity to appeal to the Scholarship Committee. Process for Continuing Students: 1. Continuing students must maintain a grade point average (GPA) of no less than 2.75 in order to be eligible for the succeeding semester. Proof of grades shall be turned in to the MLBSHEO immediately upon receipt. 2. Proof of continued enrollment must be turned in, such as a certified class schedule from the school where student is in attendance. 3. Continuing students, who are placed on Academic Probation by the school or university where the student is in attendance, must immediately turn in such documentation to the MLBHEO. If a student is dropped or dismissed from a postgraduate program, they shall immediately become ineligible for further funding. A dropped or dismissed student shall be required to repay any award in excess of the $12,000.00 per school year through loan repayment. 4. Continuing students are required to complete their post secondary degree program within the time frame allotted for such program, as noted in their Student Education Plan. For example, if a student seeks a degree from a Master Program, he or she must complete such program within two years as a full-time student.
Appeal Process: 1. Any Band Member who is rejected for a scholarship award and who seeks a post secondary degree may appeal in writing, with supporting documentation, to the Higher Education Director. The Higher Education Director shall submit all documentation to the Scholarship Committee and Commissioner of Education, their decision shall be final. 2. If a student is denied one year, they are eligible to apply for an award for the succeeding semester or school year.
SEND ALL INFORMATION TO:
Mille Lacs Band Higher Education Office
Please retain the Mille Lacs Band Scholarship Guidelines and a copy of your application for your records. Any questions regarding the student’s scholarship or award shall be disclosed only to the individual student. Due to confidentiality requirements, no information concerning a student shall be disclosed to any third party without written permission from the student. Any questions concerning your scholarship/award, contact: Mille Lacs Band Higher Education
Office
Please sign and return to our office: 43408 Oodena Drive, Onamia, MN 56359
I, ________________________________, the student, have read and understand the policies of the Mille Lacs Band Scholarship Program. I agree to abide by all the policies governing the Mille Lacs Band Scholarship Program. I understand that should my academic performance be less than the minimum requirements of a Fulltime/Part-time student, I risk Trial Quarter/Semester and/or Academic Probation from the Mille Lacs Band Scholarship Program. I understand that it is my responsibility to submit my grades and/or transcripts at the end of each term of attendance for which I received educational financial assistance from the Mille Lacs Band Scholarship Program. I agree to take full responsibility for my academic achievements and progress as well as all costs incurred relating to my academic career which is beyond the amount I may be awarded by the Mille Lacs Band Scholarship Program.
___________________________ Student Signature
___________________________ ____________ Date Date Rec’d (Office Use Only)
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