programs Education

U.S. BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION

Bureau of Indian Education
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
202-208-6123
www.bie.edu

The purpose of the BIE's Higher Education Grant Program is to provide supplemental financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaskan Native scholars entering college who are seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree from a nationally accredited institution.

Interested students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a member of, or at least one-quarter degree Indian blood descendent of a member of an American Indian tribe which is eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States through the Bureau of Indian Education because of their status as Indians.
• Be accepted for admission to a nationally accredited institution of higher education which provides a course of study conferring the Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts or Science degree
• Demonstrate financial need as determined by the financial aid officer of the collegiate institution.

The grant application is available from the education officer of the tribe in which you are affiliated or possess membership. As the majority of federally recognized tribes are administering the grant program for their tribal members, call your tribe first. A Tribal Leaders Directory can be found at the following website: www.bia.gov/tribal-leaders-directory.

The burden of proof of Indian ancestry rests with the individual claiming possession of Indian blood.