Application Deadlines

Fall Quarter/Semester for the whole academic year
July 1

Winter Quarter/Semester
November 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.

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.

• Application – an Application must be submitted each Fall Term. In addition to basic information, the applicant must sign and submit an Authorization to Release Student Information.
• 250-word essay (minimum) – the applicant must write a 250-word essay introducing themself and stating their educational and career goals, the amount of time they believe they will need to complete the course of study and how this scholarship will help them achieve their goals. Returning students will write an essay reflecting on how college or their schooling is impacting their educational and career goals.
• Tribal Enrollment Certification – new applicants must either (a) provide a signed Certificate of Enrollment from the Suquamish Enrollment Officer or a copy of their tribal id card.
• Admission and/or Class Schedule – the applicant must provide either a letter of acceptance or admission from the school or a copy of the student’s class schedule from the school.
• Financial Needs Analysis Form- Request the form to be completed by College/University Financial Aid Office. Information must be sent directly from the College/University Financial Aid Office. (This form must be submitted at the beginning of each academic year.)
• Evidence of Application for an outside funding source – the applicant is required to apply for at least one scholarship/additional funding from an outside funding source each year. Copies of the application and any response from the funding source must be submitted. Any outside funding source/scholarship received will not be subtracted from the base funding provided by the Tribe, however, a tuition waver will be applied to your tuition amount.
• Grade Transcript – each applicant must submit an official transcript from the school they last attended. If the application is for a First-Time Student, the applicant must submit either a copy of their high school diploma, GED Certificate or transcript from a higher education or vocational-technical school. If the application is for a Continuing or Reinstated Student, an official transcript from the most recent term must be submitted.

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

1. Within Kitsap County Resident
   1. Must reside in Kitsap County at the time of application.
   2. Potential Funding:
      • Tuition, fees, books and supplies; and
      • 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
   3. Washington State Resident – Outside of Kitsap County
      1. Reside in Washington State but outside Kitsap County at time of application.
      2. Potential Funding: tuition, fees, books and supplies up to a maximum total funding of $10,000 per academic year.
   4. Out of State Resident
      1. Reside outside Washington State at time of application.
      2. 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

Part-time Student

A student may attend a Higher Education or Vocational-Technical accredited institution on a part-time basis and receive financial support from the Suquamish Higher Education Program. The eligibility requirements are the same as full-time students; however, the amount of financial assistance available will be pro-rated based on the number of credits (for example, a student taking 9 credits may be eligible to receive 75% of the available book allowance).

Special Programs

Tribal members who wish to attend a qualified non-accredited program or institution may receive financial support from the Higher Education Program. “Qualified Non-Accredited Program or School” means a program that has been approved by the Higher Education Committee and the Tribal Council and will enhance the member’s employment or employment potential. The member must submit a program description from the institution and demonstrate how attendance at the school will enhance their employability.

Academically challenged students may be eligible for special, modified eligibility requirements and/or higher education support determined on a case by case basis by the Higher Education Committee.  We can accept a letter form a Counselor, Doctor, advocate or from the student detailing the issues and the need for less credits and full support.

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 to apply to the higher education program until all funds are repaid. Students will be allowed to make payment arraignments if necessary.
4. 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 Committee 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.
5. 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 Committee approves.
6. The Higher Education Program will accept applications for assistance to attend a program that will result in the applicant receiving a second degree or certificate at the same level as one previously supported by the Suquamish Higher Education Program. The Higher Education Committee will decide on a case-by-case basis which applications for a second degree will be awarded. Generally, the award will not exceed tuition, fees, supplies and books.

Committee decisions may be appealed as follows:

1. Applicant must submit a letter of appeal to the Higher Education Committee no later than 15 days of the day the Decision Notice is mailed to the Applicant. The letter of appeal must state the reason that the Applicant believes the Higher Education Committee should reconsider its decision.
2. Higher Education Committee may reverse its decision but only if the Applicant provides documentation to support his or her claim that the Higher Education Committee’s initial decision was based on lack of or incorrect information.
3. Higher Education Committee will notify the Applicant no later than 30 days from the date it receives the letter of appeal whether the Committee upholds or reverses its initial decision. The second decision of the Higher Education Committee is final