Indigenous Students' Tuition and Fees Grant Program

Indigenous Students' Tuition and Fees Grant Program

Funder: Combination of federal, state, and institutional grants at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Program Status: Active. Launched fall semester 2022 (article dated May 6, 2022)

Award Purpose: To cover 100% of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Indigenous students, removing financial barriers to higher education

Award Details:

Covers 100% of tuition and mandatory fees

Available for eligible students whose costs aren't covered by other federal or state grants

Covers coursework toward badges, certificates, or first bachelor's degree (up to 125 credits)

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be a Colorado resident

Must be enrolled with one of the 574 federally recognized Indigenous nations

Must register for at least one credit toward:

- Badge (micro-credential)
- Certificate program
- First bachelor's degree (up to 125 credits)

Citizenship/immigration status: No restrictions mentioned

Geographic Scope: Colorado residents only (due to Colorado legislative requirement)

Legislative Basis: Builds upon Colorado legislative bill passed in 2021 (HB22-1393 mentioned) requiring state higher-education institutions to offer in-state tuition classification to Native students who are members of Indigenous nations with historical ties to Colorado

Background Context:

Addresses significant disparities in higher education attainment among Indigenous populations:

- 14.5% of American Indian and Alaska Native population has completed bachelor's degree or higher (vs. 31.3% overall population)
- National six-year graduation rates: 41% Indigenous vs. 62% overall

72% of Indigenous people live in urban or suburban areas, making MSU Denver well-positioned to serve this population

Part of Broader MSU Denver Commitment:

Builds on Roadrunner Promise program

Related to Displaced Aurarians scholarship

Longstanding advocacy for Dreamer students

Mission to offset "almost 400-year history of American higher-education system built to serve the privileged few"

Institutional Support:

University working with Indigenous leaders including Cheyenne and Arapaho nation elders

David Heska Wanbli Weiden, Ph.D., professor of Political Science, leads Native American Studies program

MSU Denver's Native and Indigenous Student Alliance provides community support

Similar Programs: Programs exist at Fort Lewis College and University of Minnesota-Morris, but MSU Denver's program is noted as rare in its widespread scope and support

Contact: Will Simpkins, Ed.D., Vice President of Student Affairs; David Heska Wanbli Weiden, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science and Native American Studies Program Leader