BIA GRANTS AND BEYOND

Gayla JenkinsSenior Administrative Program Specialist, UW-Milwaukee

Panelists

Dr. Marcus LewisHigher Education Division ManagerHo-Chunk Nation

Mitch MetoxenAssistant ManagerOneida Higher Education

Panelists

Misty HerzogSenior AdvisorOneida Higher Education

Shannon ChapmanEducation DirectorMenominee Indian Tribe

Objective

Create a forum – communication

Develop stronger relationships

Gain practical tips for better service

Discuss current issues/topics

Overview

Background - BIA Grants/Tribal Offices

Basics of awarding BIA Grants

Interaction with Panelists & FAAs

Wrap up with Q & A

BIA GrantDefined- Bureau of Indian Education Higher Education Grant Program

U.S. Department of the InteriorBureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)Postsecondary EducationPurpose – supplemental assistance forAmerican Indian and Alaska Native Scholars

BIA Grant

Student Eligibility

*Member of, or at least one-quarter degree Indian blood descendent of a federally recognized tribe*Demonstrate financial need- FAFSA*Must apply through tribal education office

Tribal Offices

11 Federally Recognized Tribes (tribal sovereignty – self government rights)

Bad River, Forest County Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac du Flambeau, Menominee, Oneida, Red Cliff, Sokaogon Chippewa, St. Croix Chippewa, Stockbridge Munsee

Tribal Offices

*Different funding policies (file system)*Forms/faxing/email/postal mail/security*Student contact-teamwork*FERPA – releasing student information*PTAC – privacy issues

BIA Grant Award Processing

Scenario 1: FAA receives FNA/FRF form from tribe but student has not completed FAFSA

Email student informing of need for FAFSAProcess ISIR/ Complete File Review and Verification (if required)Award Per Packaging Policy

Scenario 2: FAA receives FNA/FRF form from tribe and student has already been awarded

Award Per Packaging Policy

BIA Grant Award Processing

Packaging Policy:Step1 First package without considering BIAStep2 If total aid package – after BIA funds

are added – does not exceed need, make no adjustment to the package

Vol 3-Calculating Awards & Packaging, 2017-2018 , Page 3-157 FSA HB Sept 2017

BIA Grant Award Processing

Step 2 (Continued)If package plus BIA exceeds need –eliminate in sequence: loans, work-study, grants EXCEPT PELL or BIA GRANT(you may alter the sequence at student’s request if you believe it would benefit student)***Consult tribe***

BIA Grant Award ProcessingWhen the funding comes in…….

Bursars/business office receives all fundsScholarship or BIA Grant?

Check correspondence/terminologyWhy does it matter?

Central Data Request- CDR (UW System)AccuracyDelays in disbursement of funds

BIA Grant Award ProcessingTribal funding not considered BIA:

Treated like a scholarshipEstimated Financial Assistance (need-based)

Example: Tribe awards student without requiring a FAFSA and does not consider need as a factor. Student has COA of $24,268, EFC of $20,268. Assessed need is $4000. Tribe’s funding policy awards $7000 regardless of need. Original award consisted of $5500 sub and $2000 unsub. We would have to cancel the $5500 sub loan since need would be covered with tribal funding (scholarship). We could replace the sub loan with unsub but only with student’s approval.

Questions for Panelists (Tribal Directors)

What is the most common problem you encounter when providing tribal funding for your students?

How can financial aid administrators assist you in eliminating/minimizing this problem?

Questions For Panelists From Financial Aid Administrators (as time permits)

Q & A as time permits……

Scholarship Resources for Students:American Indian College Fundhttps://collegefund.org/

Bureau of Indian Education – Higher Education Grant ProgramInformation for Prospective American Indian College Studentshttps://www.bie.edu/cs/groups/xbie/documents/text/idc1-028546.pdf

Bureau of Indian Education – List of Scholarships and Grantshttps://www.bie.edu/ParentsStudents/Grants/index.htm

Cobell Scholarshiphttp://cobellscholar.org/

Sources:BIE Higher Education Grant Program-Information for Prospective American Indian College Studentshttps://www.bie.edu/cs/groups/xbie/documents/text/idc1-028546.pdf

Federal Student Aid Handbookhttps://ifap.ed.gov/fsahandbook/attachments/1718FSAHbkVol3Chapter7.pdf

Tribal Leaders Directoryhttps://www.bia.gov/tribal-leaders-directory

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairshttps://www.bia.gov/bia/

Thank You!