White Earth Student Financial Services

Applications for the White Earth Scholarship Program (WESP) will have a priority deadline of May 31st prior to the next academic year. Please use the links below to download the packet corresponding to your educational plans.

All applicants must:

• Be an enrolled member of the MCT White Earth Band
• Apply at least 8-12 weeks prior to the day classes begin
• Be accepted to an accredited higher education university or technical college
• Apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is required regardless of your income status!
• Have a high school diploma or GED prior to WESP consideration.
• Currently in good academic standing and not in prior student loan default.

Please submit original signed applications by USPS. WESP does not accept digital signatures faxed, emailed or copied WESP applications. The following packets are fillable, please make sure to print and mail via USPS.

• White Earth Scholarship Program Application Packet
• Graduation Incentive Application Packet
• Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program
• Federal Student Aid

Please see the resources tab for more scholarship resources!

The federal government, under the authority of the JOM Act, provides financial assistance for supplemental educational programs to meet the unique needs of eligible Indian students in public schools and for educational programs for 3- and 4-year-old children.

Indian students from age 3 years through grade 12, except those who are enrolled in Bureau or sectarian operated schools, shall be eligible if they are enrolled or ¼ or more degree Indian blood of a U.S. federally recognized Tribe. Students who are not enrolled must provide documentation of blood quantum, most commonly a birth certificate and parent(s) enrollment information or a certification of descendancy with blood quantum listed. Note: Members of Canadian tribes are not eligible.

The purpose of JOM is to provide supplementary financial assistance to meet the unique and specialized educational needs of Indian Children. These supplementary funds are not to take the place of federal, state, or local funds.

Supplemental programs and activities may include educational support items. Funds may be used for academic remediation, tutoring, preschool programs, summer school classes, cultural enrichment, field trips, transportation, and school supplies.

JOM funds are contracted to tribes, tribal organizations, public school districts and state departments of education.

About Education Assistance
The White Earth Reservation Business Committee- Education Division has limited funding available for White Earth enrolled members to assist in education related expenses.

General Policies for Assistance

1. Must be White Earth enrolled member
2. Must be ineligible for White Earth Scholarship Program
3. Student should seek other funding: example: JOM/Title VI, student organizations, scholarships, schools, fundraising, etc. prior to applying.
4. Request should be submitted to the White Earth Student Finance Program thirty (30) days in advance, when possible.
5. Students receiving funding are asked to submit a one-age reflection of the funded training/experience to the White Earth Student Finance Program within thirty (30) days of completion. Photos and stories shared may be published in the White Earth Anishinaabeg Today.

Eligible Programs and Expenses

• Eminence Credential interview and related expenses
• Teacher Licensure and related expenses
• Career development related courses and/or training
• Career/Job related licensing and/or licensing renewal fees and related expenses
• Beautician/Barber school fees
• Original State Birth Certificate ~ see notes below
• Written, notarized permission form required for birth certificate pick-up
• To be utilized to verify eligibility for White Earth tribal enrollment, Johnson O'Malley, White Earth Scholarship Program, or other assistance program
• Photocopy of the original birth certificate will be kept on file with the student's application
• This is a one-time purchase; no exceptions
• The WERBC reserves the right to terminate this service at any time

Funding

• Funding is limited to the individual applicant
• Funding will be supported up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 - September 30) per enrolled member
• When funds are limited, priority will be given to students who have not previously received funding

About Travel Assistance
The White Earth Reservation Business Committee- Education Division has funding available for high school and post-secondary students to participate in travel which enhances their education experiences.

General Policies for Funder Travel

1. Must be a White Earth enrolled member
2. Students must be enrolled as a full-time high school or post secondary student
3. Students are eligible to receive assistance for one travel experience while attending high school and one travel experience while attending post-secondary
4. Students should seek other funding: example: JOM/Title VI, student organizations, scholarships, schools, fundraising, etc. prior to applying
5. When funds are limited, priority will be given to students who have not previously received funding
6. Requests should be submitted to the White Earth Student Finance Program thirty (30) days prior to the proposed travel dates, when possible
7. Funds may be used for travel expenses: event registration, lodging, per diem, and mileage
8. Students receiving funding are asked to submit a one-page reflection of the travel experience to the White Earth Student Finance Program within thirty (30) days of completed travel. Photos and stories may be published in the White Earth Anishinaabeg Today.
9. Any student group trips must apply to the White Earth Donation Committee. Groups receiving assistance from the WE Donation Committee are ineligible to apply and receive individual Travel Assistance.

Study Abroad Experience

1. Priority will be given to high school and college juniors and seniors.
2. Individual students may be funded for only one study abroad experience during high school and one during his/her college experience.

Extra-Curricular Experiences
In order to request assistance with expenses for extra-curricular travel experiences, the student must be an active team or organization member.

Funding
Funding is limited to students requests; chaperone and/or accompanying traveler expenses will not be considered. Funding will be supported up to 50% of the actual cost minus other resources for individual requests, or whichever is less:

• In-state travel: $100 per day; $500 maximum
• Out-of-state travel: $200 per day; $1,000 maximum
• Travel abroad: $1,000 maximum

Education Assistance Application