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2010-2011 Cherokee Nation Scholarship Program Guidelines The Cherokee Nation's Higher Education Office awards scholarships to selected Cherokee Nation Tribal Citizens pursuing degrees at a college or university accredited with Carnegie units. To apply for these funds, new and continuing students must submit a complete application packet to the Higher Education office on or before JUNE 11, 2010. It is recommended that you make copies of all documents before submitting. Desired Outcomes The purpose of the Cherokee Nation Higher Education Program includes accomplishing three desired outcomes: 1) strengthen the sovereignty of the Cherokee Nation; 2) increase the capacity of its citizens; and 3) promote the language and culture of the Cherokee Nation. The scholarship selection process is designed to achieve these outcomes. Future scholarship applications may provide a preference for students who have demonstrated accomplishments relating to the desired outcomes. Scholarship Programs and Selection Process UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS (students are limited to 8 semesters) Cherokee Nation Pell Scholarship Cherokee Nation tribal citizens who qualify for Federal Pell Grant funding regardless of permanent residence OR Cherokee Nation tribal citizens who do not qualify for Federal Pell Grant funding: 1) Whose permanent residency is within the Cherokee Nation area, which is defined as counties within the Cherokee Nation boundaries; or 2) Whose permanent residency is within the contiguous counties to the Cherokee Nation boundaries (including contiguous counties in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma). This scholarship is based on the following selection preferences: First Preference Continuing students (Funded in ‘08 and ‘09) Second Preference Classification order of new applicants (Senior, Junior, Sophomore, Freshman) Third Preference Academic performance Students not awarded for scholarship funding will be placed on a waiting list. Students on the waiting list may be selected for scholarships as additional funding becomes available. GRADUATE PROGRAMS (students are limited to 6 semesters) Cherokee Nation Tribal citizens seeking graduate degrees: 1) Whose permanent residency is within the Cherokee Nation area, which is defined as counties within the Cherokee boundaries, or 2) Whose permanent residency is within the contiguous counties to the Cherokee Nation boundaries,(including contiguous counties in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma). Self Help Component Recipients are required to volunteer one-hour service to the tribe (Cherokee Nation) or community for every $100 they receive in scholarship funding. (Example: $1,000 per semester = 10 community service hours). Official written verification will be required. Notification of Receipt of Complete Application Students will be notified in writing when the Higher Education Office receives a complete application. There are no assurances that a student has a complete application in the Higher Education Office awaiting consideration for funding until the student receives official written notification from the Higher Education Office. Notification of Scholarship Selection Students will be notified in writing the first week of August of scholarship selection. There are no assurances that a student has been selected to receive the scholarship until the student receives official written notification from the Higher Education Office. Students not eligible 1. Students seeking a license, training certificate, or Associate of Applied Science. Students may contact Career Services for more information at 918-453-5555. 2. Indian Health Services (HIS) Scholarship 3. Assistance from other tribe(s) 4. Cherokee Nation Career Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Directed Studies, Cherokee Nation Nursing Program, Employee Leadership or Employee Reimbursement Program 5. Students who have completed an undergraduate degree Cherokee Nation scholarship recipients who require more semesters than the traditional eight semesters will be considered for an extended two-semester period in accordance with the following: A. Availability of funds B. Review of transcripts to determine that students completed the required number of hours for each semester supported by the Cherokee Nation scholarship funds C. Maintain good standing with college/university D. Review of transcripts and degree plans to determine that a two-semester extension makes degree attainment possible E. All existing Cherokee Nation Higher Education selection criteria and program regulations remain in effect, including the 140 hour limit. Student Aid Report – what to look for Student Aid Report (SAR) contains the results from a processed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA information can be obtained from high school counselor’s office, local college financial aid office, Cherokee Nation Higher Education office, or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If students wish to complete a FAFSA online, they need to apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Please allow two weeks for processing (must have the PIN). The SAR will be on the website. The student must use the PIN to retrieve the SAR (instructions to download are below). Student Aid Reports will be multiple pages (ALL pages must be mailed with the application). How to download a SAR from the WEB 1. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov 2. Under “FAFSA Follow-up” click PRINT STUDENT AID REPORT (SAR) 3. Select year 2010-2011 4. Enter your personal information then ‘submit’ 5. SAR Transactions, pick most recent number 6. Processing Information – at left of screen PRINT SUMMARY 7. Print Summary HTML or PDF Version 8. Check for COMMENTS ABOUT YOUR INFORMATION on last page If you have questions or need assistance completing either the Cherokee Nation Scholarship Application or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, feel free to contact our office: Cherokee Nation Higher Education (918) 453-5000 Ext. 5465 or (800) 256-0671 option 5 Career Services (918)-453-5000 Ext. 5555 Registration (918)-453-5000 Ext. 6980 Deadline: June 11, 2010 District Information
District 1 – Cherokee County
District 2 – Adair County
District 3 – Sequoyah County
District 4 – Parts of Muskogee , Wagoner and McIntosh Counties
District 5 – Delaware County and parts of Ottawa County
District 6 – Mayes County
District 7 – Rogers County
District 8 – Washington County and parts of Tulsa County
District 9 – Nowata and Craig Counties
District C – Oklahoma : Haskell, LeFlore, Osage and Pittsburg Counties
Arkansas : Benton , Crawford and Washington Counties
Kansas : Cherokee, LaBette and Montgomery Counties
Missouri : McDonald County Important Numbers:
Cherokee Nation Human Services (918) 458-6972 To inquire for Dorm Assistance
Indian Health Services (I.H.S.) Scholarship (405) 951-6040 Inquire with Melissa Langley on this scholarship
Haskell Indian Nations University (785) 749-8404 Inquire about attending HINU
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (800) 433-3243 Questions or help about the SAR
(FAFSA) Please keep name and address changes current with the Higher Education office. Correspondence is mailed to students at various stages throughout processing. Our office cannot be responsible for mail returned due to changes in address. If you have questions or need assistance completing either the Cherokee Nation Scholarship Application or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, feel free to contact our office: Direct: (918) 453-5465 or (918) 207-3948
Toll Free: 1-800-256-0761 option: 5
CERTIFIED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT ENCOURAGED
HIGHER EDUCATION NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR RETURNED MAIL
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