Richard. C Richardson Jr. in his paper Helping first-generation minority students achieve degrees Richardson drew his conclusions the thesis that helping first-generation minority students achieve degrees “require nontraditional strategies.” (Richardson, 3). This agrees with James. A Larimore’s research that financial aid and scholarships are needed as a broad strategy to retain Native American student enrollment. The benefits have been demonstrated, but the process is important in order for potential students can access the benefits of academic aid. (Larimore, 2) This various on factors of tribe affiliated with, organization giving the aid, institution and generational affiliation with a specific tribe. This essay examines those three instances in which student aid is given, and the requirements of generational affiliation for each.
Regardless of the entity funding financial aid, one of the first considerations to look at is how one proves or is certified as an affiliate of a particular tribe. The measure that tracks this is called a person’s “blood quantum.” This is the measure that the federal government uses in tracking a person’s Native American lineage. A person of 100% Native American blood would have a blood quantum level of one. If they married someone of different ethnicity, they would then have a blood quantum level of 1/2, and so on.
Different tribes have different blood quantum entirety requirements to be a member of their tribe and qualify for any benefits or rights afforded members of the tribe and the US federal government. The majority of tribes accept 1/4 — 1/8 blood quantum for membership. A few, such as Kialegee, Yomba Shone Tribe, require 1/2 and on the other end of the spectrum the Kaw Nation requires only 1/32. (AAIA)
The US Bureau of Indian Affairs requires that students require that one have 1/4 Native American Blood to be eligible for any of their scholarships The BIA the procedure for obtaining a Certificate of Indian Blood), which includes proof as legal documents that demonstrate lineage and also a blood test. However, since a blood test does not prove which tribe one is affiliated with The Association on American Indian Affairs does not recognize this as viable for financial aid. (BIA)
The AAIA is also one of the largest funders of financial aid for Native American students with eight different scholarship programs each with their own governing criteria for award.
Scholarships for Native American students are numerous. A FastWEB scholarship search list 70 active financial aid rewards that require al awardees be a Native American student. Most scholarships researched in this essay required only a 1/8 or higher blood quantum. Funding varies depending on tribes. Some scholarships such as those given by American Indian College Fund, Indian Health Service Health Scholarship, were offered broadly to anyone with membership in a recognized tribe. Other financial aid and scholarships were only available to a specific tribe. In line with the scope of this essay, only scholarships and financial aid across tribes will be used as illustrating examples. (AAIA)
A good example of an application for aid based on generational Native American heritage is For Lewis College’s tuition waiver requirements. The cover page of their application packet includes a sweeping definition that defines a Native American as follows:
The term Native American shall include all persons of Native American descent who are members of any recognized Native American tribe now under federal jurisdiction, and all persons who are descendants of such members who were, on June 1, 1934, residing within the present boundaries of any Native American reservation, and shall further include all persons of one-half or more Native American blood. Eskimos and other aboriginal people of Alaska shall be considered Native Americans. (Fort Lewis College)
Beyond that the college has a list of three bulleted points. Only one needs to be fulfilled to qualify. They are that 1) must have their own enrollment or census number or 2) provide documentation of being 50% Native American or 3) prove being a direct descendant of a tribal member who, on June 1, 1934 resided within the present boundaries of any Native American reservation.
Fulfilling requirements 1 and 2 also requires a Certificate of Indian Blood, or copy of a tribal membership card. This illustration is meant only for anecdotal purposes, and gives a good idea of the type of guidelines in place for financial aid to be awarded based on tribal affiliation. Though varying slightly, most share basic principles in what one must do to demonstrate tribal membership.
Works Cited
"Association on American Indian Affairs."Association on American Indian Affairs. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2013.
"FinAid | Other Types of Aid | Native American Students." FinAid! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2013.
"Fort Lewis College." Tuition Waiver Requirements . N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
Larimore, James A.. " Native American student retention in U.S. postsecondary edu." Wiley Periodicals 150 (2005): 17-32. Print.
Richardson Jr., Richard C. . "Helping first-generation minority students achieve degrees." Wiley Periodicals 1992 (2006): 2. Print.
"Scholarships for Native Americans ~ GoCollege.com." GoCollege - The Number One College Bound Website on the Internet. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2013.
