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
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 – Suquamish higher education grant award application, initialed academic problems and acknowledgment of receipt and statement of understanding.
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250-word essay (minimum) – the Applicant must write a 250-word essay introducing them self 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. The letter must also include the applicants familial and cultural ties to the Suquamish Tribe and the reservation.
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Tribal Enrollment Certification – new Applicant must either (a) provide a signed Certificate of Enrollment from the Suquamish Enrollment Officer or a copy of their tribal id card.
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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. Returning students must submit a copy of their academic plan from an academic counselor.
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Financial Needs Analysis Form- Request the form to be completed by College/UniversityFinancial 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.)
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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 (Excluding FAFSA applications). 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.
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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.
- Must reside in Kitsap County at the time of application (Proof of residency may be requested).
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Funding for Kitsap County Residents is capped at $25,000 per academic year per student.
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Potential Funding:
- Tuition, fees, books and supplies; and
- Prorated 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.
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.
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.
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
Note: Funding for Special Programs is not guaranteed and is only considered if the approved budget allows. Tribal Citizens 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 Board and the Tribal Council and will enhance the Tribal Citizen’s employment or employment potential. The Tribal Citizen must submit a program description from the institution and demonstrate how attendance at the school will enhance their employability.
Examples of Special Programs: conferences, up to one study abroad program, laptops, certification courses, etc.
If a student/Tribal Citizen would like assistance with the costs associated with an educational opportunity not covered by one of the above-described programs, that person must provide the Higher Education Program Manager with documentation from the sponsoring educational organization describing the educational program and its costs. The Higher Education Program Manager will review the documentation and provide this information to the Higher Education Board to discuss. The Higher Education Board will then come to a decision regarding the Special Program and whether Higher Education will assist with the proposed program. This will then be relayed to the student by the Higher Education Program Manager.
- 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
highered@suquamish.nsn.us
Suquamish Tribe Higher Education
PO Box 498 | Suquamish, WA 98392