Indigenous Students Tuition and Fees Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Colorado (resident requirement)

Focus Areas:

• Support for Indigenous/Native American students
• Financial access to higher education
• First bachelor's degree completion
• Certificates and badges

Award Details:

• Covers 100% of tuition and mandatory fees
• Coverage limited to costs not covered by other federal or state grants
• Funded through combination of federal, state, and institutional grants

Eligibility Requirements:

• Colorado resident status required
• Enrolled member of one of the 574 federally recognized Indigenous nations
• Nations with historical ties to Colorado (preferred, per HB22-1393)
• Register for at least one credit toward:
  • Badge
  • Certificate
  • First bachelor's degree (up to 125 credits)

Funding Sources:

• Federal grants
• State grants (HB22-1393)
• Institutional grants from MSU Denver

Program Context:

• Builds on HB22-1393 (Colorado legislation requiring in-state tuition classification for Native students)
• Part of MSU Denver's broader access initiatives (alongside Roadrunner Promise, Displaced Aurarians scholarship)
• Similar programs exist at Fort Lewis College and University of Minnesota-Morris
• Recognizes 72% of Indigenous people live in urban/suburban areas
• Addresses achievement gap: 14.5% of American Indian/Alaska Native population holds bachelor's degree or higher (vs. 31.3% overall); 41% six-year graduation rate (vs. 62% overall)

Application Process

Eligibility Verification:

1. Verify Colorado residency
2. Provide proof of enrollment with federally recognized Indigenous nation
3. Register for at least one credit toward badge, certificate, or bachelor's degree

Application Details:

• Specific application process not detailed in source material
• Contact MSU Denver Student Affairs or Office of Financial Aid for application procedures
• Program covers costs not covered by other federal/state grants

Additional Notes:

• University works with Indigenous leaders and community partners on program administration
• Recent meetings held with Cheyenne and Arapaho nation elders
• MSU Denver has Native and Indigenous Student Alliance for community support