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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2018)
OCTOBER 15, 2018 Full-Time College Program The Full-Time College Program provides funding for members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde who are attending college on a full-time basis in pursuit of a vocational degree or certificate, associate, bachelor's or graduate degree from a not-for- profit regionally accredited college or univer- sity. There are no residency requirements for this program, so Tribal members across the country can access the program. Tribal Council has generously supported the higher education programs over the Bryan Langley years. Our program maximum funding limit for a community college is $2,400 per term and $3,600 per semester and for students attending a university the funding limits are $4,000 per term or $6,000 per semester. To be eligible for funding, students must have completed high school or have completed a GED, apply for federal financial aid by completing the FASFA, been accepted for admission into an approved accredited institu- tion, apply for at least one scholarship and be an enrolled Grand Ronde Tribal member. Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the beginning of the term/semester that they want to attend. Students are required to meet a minimum academic standard of earning a 2.0 GPA and full-time status per term/semester. If students meet the academic standard, they are eligible to receive the funding each year up to a maximum of 15 terms or 10 semesters. Tribal funding is not intended to cover all cost for attending college. Members are encouraged to apply for other scholarship opportunities. Members can contact Mercedes Jones, our academic advisor, for more information on scholarship opportunities. Tribal members interested in attending on a full time basis at a commu- nity college should contact Joshua Clift at 503-879-1635 or Joshua.clift@ grandronde.org. Those students interested in attending on a full-time basis at a college or university level should contact Bryan K. Langley at 503-879-2276 or bryan.langley@grandronde.org for more information or to obtain an application. Every year we celebrate the accomplishments of our Grand Ronde Tribal members who have completed their college degree and are ready to enter the workforce or move on to an advanced degree. This year was no different as we celebrated the accomplishments of 45 Tribal members who graduated and earned certificate through graduate degrees. Degrees earned ranged from business to accounting to social work to the arts. The mission of the education program is simple: get educated and that is just what our members are doing. Noncredit Program The purpose of the Noncredit Program is to assist enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in obtaining funding for courses that do not provide college credit hours. The Noncredit Program may assist with the funding needs for enrollment, tui- tion, and required equipment and supplies necessary for the completion of the course. Applicants are eligible for up to $500 per academic term. Summer Term: July 1-Sept. 30 Fall Term: Oct. 1-Dec. 31 Joshua Clift Winter Term: Jan. 1-March 31 Spring Term: April 1-June 30 Applicants must submit a completed Noncredit Program application and accompanying course verifications (a copy of the registration or a billing invoice that clearly shows course cost and billing information) to the Ed- ucation Department at least 10 days before the registration deadline, or the beginning of the course if no registration deadline is given. All educational institutions are subject to review by the Education Department before approval of grant awards. Recipients must provide verification of successful completion once the training is complete. Please contact Joshua Clift, Noncredit Program coordinator, at 503- 879-1635 or e-mail joshua.clift@grandronde.org for more information or to receive an application. Fee assistance Enrolled Tribal members can request assistance with test fees (i.e. GRE, SAT, LSAT, ACT) and admissions application fees. Contact Higher Education for more information at 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2275. S OCTOBER moke S ignals 15, 2018 13 Part-time College Program The Part-time College Program assists adult members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon while attending post-secondary schooling, generally on a part-time basis, at regionally accredited nonprofit colleges and universities. Participat- ing students can be pursuing associate, bachelor’s or graduate-level degrees, or simply taking coursework for their own enrichment. The goal of the program is to assist Tribal members with the di- rect financial costs associated with acquiring higher education and thereby providing the opportunity for personal and professional development that leads to self-sufficiency, economic independence and lifelong learning. Through direct payments to colleges and universities, the Part-time College Program supports participants with payment of tuition, fees, textbooks and required supplies. Qualified applicants in the program are eligible for funding not to exceed $1,600 for community college students, $2,400 for undergraduate university students and $3,200 for graduate-level university students per term/quarter. Students in schools operating on a semester system are eligible for funding not to exceed $3,200 per six months for community college students, $4,800 for undergraduate university students and $6,400 for graduate level university students. There are no residency or income restrictions on eligibility. Over the past year, the Part-time College Program has served an average of 105 Tribal members per school term, ranging in age from 18 to 74 and living in 21 states and two foreign countries. The program historically has a student success rate between 85 percent and 88 percent each term, with successful completion rates of 86.2 percent and 88.5 percent in the two most recent terms. The initial application must be completed and submitted to the Edu- cation Department at least 10 days before the start of the school term when first entering the program. For subsequent terms of enrollment a new application does not need to be completed; students can contact the program specialist by phone or e-mail to make arrangements for continuing in the program after the first term of participation. For more information on the Part-time College Program or to have an application sent to you, contact Tracy Biery at 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2275, or by e-mail at tracy.biery@grandronde.org. General Education Diploma The General Education Diploma program provides assessment, instruction and funding to Tribal members, 16 years of age or older who, are seeking a GED. Classes and services offered though the GED program include: • GED classroom is available for group and/or individual classes that are of- fered 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The GED classroom is open year-round offering classes and tutor- ing that is tailored to each student’s Tracy Biery needs. • All GED study materials are provid- ed. • GED funding is available for registration, tuition, classes and testing for Tribal members. • Transportation is available for GED testing • For Tribal members outside the Grand Ronde area, tutoring is available through Skype or similar media. • Online Food Handler’s Certificate – The Oregon Restaurant Asso- ciation offers an online class to obtain the food handler’s certificate. Funding is available for test fees for students who need the food handler’s certificate. • DMV driver permit tutoring is available upon request. • Diagnostic Testing for Learning Disabilities. The GED program pro- vides diagnostic testing for students who have shown difficulties re- taining and processing information to complete the GED. Diagnostic testing offers students the opportunity for testing accommodations, such as extended testing time, private room, frequent breaks and the use of a calculator for the math test. For more information about the GED program, call Tracy Biery, GED program instructor, at 503-879-1345 or tracy.biery@grandronde.org. The GED program is here to help you every step of the way.