October 17, 1997
SMOKE SIGNALS
3
Health professionals: IHS to pay loans
The Health and Human Services
Department's Indian Health Service (IHS)
is soliciting applications for repayment of
educational loans for health professionals.
(Sept. 4, Federal Register).
DEADLINE: Applications will be ac
cepted and evaluated monthly beginning
January 2, and continuing until funds are
exhausted. Deadline dates are scheduled
for Friday of the second full week of each
month.
FUNDS: About $ J 1.7 million for 250
awards, pending budget approval. IHS will
repay all or part of the applicant's health
professions educational loans (both under
graduate and graduate) for tuition expenses
and reasonable educational and living ex
penses, up to $30,000 a year for two years.
ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be en
rolled in their 1st year of study at an
accredited U.S. institution or in an ap
proved graduate training program in a
health profession; or have a degree in
health profession and a license to practice.
Applicants also must: be eligible for or hold
an appointment as a commissioned officer
in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the
Public Health Service; be eligible for
selection for civilian service in the Regular
or Reserve Corps of the Public Health
Service, meet the professional standards
for civil service employment in the IHS; or
be employed in an Indian health program
without service obligation.
AREAS: Loans will be repaid in ex
change for full-time clinical service in
Indian health programs.
CONTACT: Charles Yepa, IHS Loan
Repayment Program, Twinbrook Metro
Plaza, Suite 100, 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy,
Rockville.MD 20852 (301)443-3396. The
CFDA number is 93.164.
Photos and crafts needed for Open House
The Education Division would like to have pictures of GED graduates and Adult Educa
tion participants for an Open House and graduate board. We would also like you to con
sider bringing the baskets, drums, and moccasins you have made in class for an informal
show-and-tell at the Open House. The Open House is tentatively scheduled for early
afternoon, Saturday, November 15 at the Education Department. To make arrangements,
please call Hollie at 879-2275.
Need some class?
Maybe the Tribal Adult Education Program can help you... We offer support for
many programs which allow you to improve basic skills, gain high school credit (if
within 3 credits of graduation), or earn a GED diploma. These services are available to
tribal members ages 1 6 and above who are not enrolled in a formal education program. If
interested, call for an application today! We're waiting to hear from you. ADULT
EDUCATION SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE: I. Tuition and books forone Skill Building,
Self Enhancement, or Job Skill Development class per term. 2. GED tuition assistance,
counseling and planning. 3. Fee coverage for bus passes to ABE or GED classes.
Please submit proof of attendance and cost of the fares. 4. Senior Citizens classes.
Many communities offer special classes for senior citizens. Our program can often
cover the fees for these classes.
Our application is quick and easy to fill out simply call Gayla at 1-800-422-0232
ext: 2282 or Hollie at ext: 2275 and ask for an Adult Education Application. Fill it out
and return it with a copy of your Tribal ID and you're all set to request program assis
tance. We look forward to hearing from you.
Grand Ronde GED Class Schedule: Sponsored in partnership with Chemeketa Com
munity College, classes are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. in the
Education Training Building. JoAnn Leathers is the Instructor.
CONGRA TULA TIONS goes to DELMER CROYfor the successful completion of
his GED Requirements!
Site visitation and program intake schedule: Gayla Tulensru, Adult Education Coor
dinator, will be at the following sites for program intake, information, and to provide GED
school supplies. Site visitation is also available upon request.
PORTLAND OCTOBER 21
Portland Area Office, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Phone: 235-4230
SALEM OCTOBER 28
Chemeketa Main Campus, 4000 Lancaster Dr. N.E., Building 2, GED Classroom
EUGENE OCTOBER29
Lane Community College, 4000 E 30th
Students need to respect college staff
During the last two academic years, the Tribal Education Division has received a number
of concerns voiced by college financial aid offices and counseling staff. We are witnessing
an increase in the number of incidents where members receiving grants or scholarships from
the Tribe have verbally attacked, berated or voiced threats to college staff personnel. These
incidents, though few, are uncalled for and usually are the result of a student's failure to
gather the accurate facts. A majority of issues have been centered around lack of student
follow through or completing necessary steps in order to obtain services from the colleges
and the Tribe.
Examples of some of these incidents include the following:
A student approached a college financial aid office and after learning no tribal check
was waiting for them, began to argue and yell at staff. Financial aid staff were accused
of losing the student's check and being incompetent. The bottom line was that no
check was issued for the student and sent to the college due to the fact that the student
did not submit grade reports and required documentation to the Tribal Education office.
A student needing to meet with counseling staff approached the college counseling
center, refused to follow center's process by signing in and awaiting counselor avail
ability. Student demanded that the counseling staff be interrupted in spite of the fact
the counselor was meeting with students who had arrived earlier. The student made
inferences that because they were Native American they did not need to follow process.
A student contacted a college business office weeks prior to the start of school and
asked to receive their tribal grant. Staff indicated checks were not released until the first
day of classes. The student demanded the college release their check and voiced an
opinion that they were being discriminated against because they were Native Ameri
can. In this case, it was the Tribe who set the policy for checks being released on the
first day of classes. It was not the college.
A student contacted a financial aid office and was informed their budget was not
complete. The student had not included verification of class pre-registration and nec
essary documentation. The student yelled and cursed at office staff during each en
counter. Additionally, the student threatened staff with physical harm. As a result of
these encounters, the student has been banned from the financial aid office. Any
future contact must be channeled through the center director.
While these incidents listed are only a few, they are extreme in nature. These issues are
not reflective of the majority of our tribal members who attend school. Generally our stu
dents' behavior is commendable.
Everyone wants to be treated with respect, however respect goes both ways. We ask that
students realize as they enroll in college, there are processes and procedures which can be
time consuming and frustrating. At times just when you think you've completed all neces
sary forms and provided all required documentation, you learn there are still several steps
which still need to be addressed. Yelling, cursing and berating college staff will not com
plete this process nor will it endear you to these people who serve you. We ask you to
remember that as recipients of grants or scholarships from the Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde, you also represent the Tribe.
Deadline dates to remember!
The Higher Education Program and Adult Vocational Training Programs have estab
lished the following deadlines to apply for consideration of funding: Winter Term 1 998
deadline is November 1, 1997. Spring Term 1998 deadline is February 1, 1998. Federal
Financial Aid Application due February 15, 1998
Tribal Education Trust Fund Scholarship Applications disbursement begins in Janu
ary 1 998 and last date of acceptance is April 30, 1998. FallTerm 1 998 deadline is July I,
1998. You can get an application to any one of the programs by calling the Tribal
Education office at 1 -800-422-0232, Marion Mercier, ext. 2284.
GHMWfflB
The Steps to Becoming a Successful Homeowner"
Learn about credit reports, financing a home, and
whether yoo may be a candidate for homeownenhip.
OCTOBER 22 6 to 9 p.m.
Tribal Community Center, Grand Ronde
For more information, please contact Bryan Lanpjey at 1-800-422-0232