Higher Education

Suquamish Higher Education offers support services and funding to enrolled Suquamish Tribal Members meeting eligibility requirements with their educational goals. To apply, students must be enrolled in a program of study, attending an accredited institution of higher education – technical college, community college, or a four-year college or university. Funding depends upon availability.

Scholarship Application Deadlines

Fall Quarter
July 1
Winter Quarter/Spring Semester
Dec. 1
Spring Quarter
Feb. 1
Summer Quarter
May 1
Other Scholarship Opportunities
Here’s a list of additional scholarship opportunities

Policy

The Suquamish Tribal Council believes that each Tribal Citizen should have support from the Tribe and the opportunity to achieve their educational goals. The Tribe views the Higher Education and Vocational-Technical Program as an investment in both the Tribal Citizen and the future of the tribal community.

The Tribe will support Tribal Citizens who meet the eligibility requirements to the greatest extent possible. However, the amount of funding available depends on the Tribe’s ability to fund and the Tribal Council’s annual budget approval. The Suquamish Tribe does not guarantee funding. Financial support from the Suquamish Higher Education Program is not an entitlement or a Tribal Citizen right.

The Higher Education Board and staff administer the Higher Education and Vocational-Technical Program to achieve the policies of the Suquamish Tribe and will use the following guidelines. These Policies, Guidelines and Procedures are effective from the date they are approved by the Tribal Council until rescinded or revised by a new Tribal Council resolution.

Application Deadlines

Fall Quarter/Semester for the whole academic year
July 1

Winter Quarter/Spring Semester
December 1

Spring Quarter
February 1

Summer Quarter
May 1

If you do not attend consecutively, in order to return to school/training you must turn in an application for the next applicable deadline. Students must send in an official transcript at the end of each term or give permission for the higher education manager to access the student’s account with login information. If the transcript is not received by the time awards are scheduled for disbursement, a portion or the entire award may be held until the transcript is received.

Application Checklist

Before an Applicant will be considered for an award from the Higher Education Program, the Applicant must submit a complete application. “Complete Application” means that all of following items are complete and have been received by the Higher Education Program staff.

Funding Priorities

Associate, Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate Degree and Vocational-Technical Program Associate’s Degree or Certificate from Accredited Institution.

A. Within Kitsap County Resident

Must reside in Kitsap County at the time of application (Proof of residency may be requested).
Funding for Kitsap County Residents is capped at $25,000 per academic year per student, which includes tuition, fees, and room and board.
Potential Funding:

a. Tuition, fees, books and supplies; and
b. Supplemental funding up to a maximum of $1,200 per month for full-time students; part-time students may receive up to $500 per term.
i. Supplemental beyond a reasonable academic timeline (OR based on average amount of time for your program) will be determined by the Higher Education
Board or may be requested.
c. Students may be eligible for supplemental funding OR room & board + meal plan (Must be a double occupancy room and a standard meal plan.). Room & Board must be provided directly through the institution.

B. Washington State Resident – Outside of Kitsap County

Reside in Washington State but outside Kitsap County at time of application.
Potential Funding: tuition, fees, books and supplies up to a maximum total funding of $10,000 per academic year.

C. Out of State Resident

Reside outside Washington State at time of application.
Potential Funding: tuition, fees, books and supplies up to a maximum total funding of $7,500 per academic year.

Fulltime undergraduate credit level: 12 or more credits
Part-time undergraduate credit level is: 1-11 credits
Graduate and beyond credit level: 9 or more credits
Part-time graduate and beyond level: 1-8 credits

OR the number of credits determining full-time and part-time enrollment approved by your institution.

Terms & Conditions

The following terms and conditions will apply to all Higher Education Program awards:

A. Awards will be distributed each quarter or semester. The award for tuition and fees will be sent directly to the school. The award for books and supplies will be sent to the student before the beginning of the term and the supplemental funding award, if any, will be sent to the student at the beginning of each month.

B. The student must notify the Higher Education Program immediately if the student withdraws from a class or registers for fewer credits than indicated on the student’s application. Students must submit a copy of the approved add/drop form or withdrawal form. Students who (i) fail to notify the Higher Education Program within 7 days of withdrawing from classes or failing to register for sufficient credits or (ii) who drop classes or withdraw from school after the tuition reimbursement deadline will be subject to Academic Warning or Academic Disqualification and may be obligated to reimburse any funds disbursed on the student’s behalf.

C. If a student withdraws within the withdraw date from the college/university to receive any refund, that refund must be returned to the Higher Education Program. Students who fail to return that refund will not be eligible apply to the higher education program until all funds are repaid. Students will be allowed to make payment arrangements if necessary.

D. Any student who engages in intentional academic misrepresentation including misrepresentation of grades, plagiarism, or other fraudulent academic action will not be eligible for funding for at least three (3) years from the date the intentional academic misrepresentation is discovered by the Higher Education Program or the student’s education institution. Reinstatement of a student’s eligibility for financial assistance after completion of the three (3) year period of suspension will be determined by the Higher Education Board on a case-by- case basis and will depend on whether the student adequately demonstrates a change in circumstances which reflects the student’s current situation in a positive light. Students who engage in intentional academic misrepresentation must reimburse the Higher Education Program any amounts of previous funding (during the time of the misrepresentation). Intentional misrepresentation or fraud may also subject the offender to civil and/or criminal liability under tribal, state, and/or federal law.

E. The Tribe will not support funding to attend “for-profit” institutions, for example, the DeVry Institute or the University of Phoenix, unless the institution is approved by an appropriate accrediting board and the Higher Education Board approves.

F. Applicants are eligible for progressing degrees (i.e. Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorates, or a professional degree equivalent). but the Higher Education Program will not provide funding for a degree that is equal to one previously supported by the program.

Appeals

Applicant must submit a letter of appeal to the Higher Education Board no later than 15 days of the day the Decision Notice is mailed or emailed to the Applicant. The letter of appeal must state the reason that the Applicant believes the Higher Education Board should re-consider its decision.
Higher Education Board may reverse its decision but only if the Applicant provides documentation to support their claim that the Higher Education Board’s initial decision was based on lack of or incorrect information.
Higher Education Board will notify the Applicant no later than 30 days from the date it receives the letter of appeal whether the Board upholds or reverses its initial decision. The second decision of the Higher Education Board is final.
If the Applicant is not satisfied with the Higher Education Boards final decision, the Applicant may file an appeal notice with the Higher Education Program Manager which includes specific reasons why the Applicant is not satisfied with the results of the Higher Education Board’s final decision. The appeal of the final decision must be filed with the Higher Education Program Manager within three (3) workdays of the date of the written decision of the Higher Education Board. Upon receipt of the appeal, the Higher Education Program Manager will present all necessary documentation to the Education Department Director for a final decision. The Education Department Director will issue a written and signed decision within three (3) workdays of the date the Education Department Director completes its review. The Education Department Director’s decision will be limited to only a determination of whether to uphold or deny the action taken. Prior to the delivery of the Appeal decision to the Applicant and Higher Education Program Manager, the decision will be reviewed by the Office of Tribal Attorney to ensure that the decision complies with tribal laws and policies. The decision of the Education Department Director and is not subject to judicial review.

Kali Chargualaf

Higher Education Program Manager

highered@suquamish.nsn.us

Suquamish Tribe Higher Education
PO Box 498 | Suquamish, WA 98392

Download an application!

Click here