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OCTOBER 15, 2017
Advising and Curriculum
Advising on post-secondary educational opportunities:
■ College Placement Testing can be done at
Tribal offices with approval from colleges.
■ Registration assistance with college classes.
■ Degree Planning Assistance.
■ Assistance with filling out admission ap-
plications and financial aid applications/
documentation.
If you need assistance with any of the above,
contact the Tribal College Advising & Scholar-
ship Office at 503-879-2282, 1-800-422-0232,
ext. 2282, or mercedes.jones@grandronde.org
Federal Student Aid
Mercedes Jones
The Tribe is a secondary funding source to
any federal, state, or outside aid that a stu-
dent receives. Therefore, all students who are attending school full time
and are accessing the need-based funding programs need to complete a Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For the 2017-18 school
year, students will be able to submit their FAFSA starting Oct. 1,
2017, and no longer have to wait until Jan. 1, 2018.
To download a FAFSA application or complete one online, go to: www.
fafsa.gov
The federal student aid website is: http://studentaid.gov
Types of Financial Aid:
Grants: Money that you don’t have to pay back (Examples: Oregon
Opportunity Grant, Pell Grant, SEOG grant, etc.)
Scholarships: Money that you don’t have to pay back (Examples:
Ford Foundation Scholarship, Wells Fargo Scholarship, etc.)
Loans: Money that you do have to pay back (Examples: Perkins Loan,
Stafford Loan, private loan, etc.)
Work Study: On-campus jobs at the college/university you are attend-
ing – usually work around your school schedule and provide income.
Scholarship Search
There are countless scholarship opportunities available to students out-
side of the Tribe. Many scholarships look at more than just grades and test
scores when reviewing applications, so make sure to volunteer. Things to
keep in mind while searching are your ethnicity, gender, skills, interests,
field of study, state of residency, activities in school and activities outside
of school. Some colleges and universities offer diversity scholarships, which
must be applied to separate from the general school scholarships.
Some places to look for scholarships include:
• Your high school
• Your college/university (don’t forget to look through your major)
• Community organizations (Elk’s Club, Kiwanis, FFA, etc.)
• Your church or religious organization
• You or your parent’s employer
• Local banks or credit unions
Suggested Internet Search Sites:
Student Aid on the Web
http://studentaid.ed.gov
College Board
http://www.collegeboard.com (go to the student section)
University of Oregon Search Site
http://tembo.uoregon.edu/scholarships/search.asp
(you don’t have to be a University of Oregon student)
Catching the Dream
http://www.catchingthedream.org
American Indian Science & Engineering Society
http://www.aises.org/scholarships
American Indian Services
http://www.americanindianservices.org/students.html
OSAC
http://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/apply-here.aspx
Indian Health Services
http://www.scholarship.ihs.gov
When looking for scholarships, it is important to keep an eye out for
scams. Many organizations know parents and students are trying to
obtain funding for school and set up organizations to look like legitimate
scholarship agencies. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission warns parents
and students to look for these top warning signs of scholarship scams:
“This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
No one can guarantee they will get you a scholarship. Refund guarantees
often have conditions or strings attached. Get refund policies in writing
before you pay.
“You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
There are many free lists of scholarships available. Check with your
school or library before you decide to pay for someone to do the work for you.
“May I have your credit card or bank account
number to hold this scholarship?”
Do not give out your credit card or bank account number on the phone
without getting information in writing first. It may be a set-up to bill your
account. Why would they need the number if it isn't going to be billed?
“We’ll do all the work.”
Don’t be fooled. There’s no way around it, you must apply for scholar-
ships or grants yourself.
H onors
in E S
ducation
S moke
ignals
“The scholarship will cost some money.”
Don’t pay anyone who claims to be “holding” a scholarship or grant for
you. Free money shouldn’t cost a thing.
“You’ve been selected by a national foundation to receive a
scholarship” -or- “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered.
Before you send money to apply for a scholarship, check it out. Make
sure the foundation or program is legitimate.
If you need assistance completing scholarship applications or where to
look, contact the CTGR College Advising at 503-879-2282, 1-800-422-0232,
ext. 2282, or mercedes.jones@grandronde.org
2017 Grand Ronde Education Summit
In June 2017, the Tribe held our first ever Education Summit. There
were 90 people in attendance who represented 12 school districts, two
universities, three education organizations and also community members.
For our first summit, I say that is a success!
We covered topics such as cultural responsiveness and equity, Grand Ronde
history, sovereignty and curriculum implementation. We finished the day with
a guided hike at Fort Yamhill State Park that explained the history of the
state park and then a visit to the plankhouse, where the Cultural Resources
staff gave an excellent presentation and drummed for the attendees.
We had guest speakers from the Tribe, Oregon Department of Education,
Salem-Keizer School District Indian Education Program and Sheridan
School District. I can confidently say that every person who attended the
summit left with either a new appreciation for Native culture/history and/
or open eyes and new perspective when it comes to teaching our Native
youth in their classrooms and why it’s so important to teach historically
accurate information as well as culturally relevant material. This was our
goal and 100 percent think we succeeded!
2017 Highlights
• Financial aid night held at Willamina High School.
• College visits to Chemeketa Community College, Oregon Coast Com-
munity College and Clackamas Community College.
• Innovative company visit to Nike campus in Beaverton.
• Partnered with a professor at Western Oregon University to reach
pre-service teachers and educate them on teaching historically accurate
and culturally relevant curriculum.
• Facilitated professional development trainings on the Grand Ronde
curriculum for Salem-Keizer, Molalla and Beaverton school districts.
• Completed seven new units for the Chinuk immersion class in collabo-
ration with the Northwest Indian Language Institute with funding from
an ANA language grant.
• Participated on the scholarship selection committee for the Office of
Student Access and Completion.
• Participated on the Social Sciences Standards Advisory Panel through
ODE and revising current social studies standards.
• Organized and hosted the first ever Grand Ronde Education Summit.
• The fourth- and eighth-grade Grand Ronde curriculum is in more than
13 school districts throughout the Willamette Valley.
Family Services Coordinator
Mission Statement
Our mission is to develop and foster rela-
tionships with our families and local school
district staff to create opportunity for edu-
cational excellence for all students through
advocacy, collaboration and leadership.
Program highlights
• Advocated for student and family rights
through participation in Individual Ed-
ucation Program meetings with school
districts and specialists. Ensured that
the voices of the student and family were
heard by providing guidance throughout
Audra Sherwood
the IEP process, as well as informal par-
ent and teacher conferences. Ensured that special education law was
adhered to by the district through communication with district staff,
monitoring and student observations.
• Provided family driven care by meeting families in their homes to
discover what their children’s needs were and worked together to
find services to meet those needs. Provided wrap-around services to
ensure a holistic approach.
• Provided training to families, education and language immersion
staff, as well as school district employees.
• Researched attendance strategies from around the state to assist
families and district staff in increasing student attendance.
• Provided assistance to Youth Education as needed — after school,
Spring Break camp, field trips and administrative work.
• Sought out numerous trainings including: disabilities and disabili-
ties law; trauma informed/family driven care; youth mental health
and suicide prevention; wrap-around services; culture/language and
attendance.
• Hosted community beading events where necklaces were beaded to
give away during Canoe Journey.
We are here to serve the community, to help build a bridge between
families and the services they need to find success.