Assistance Listings

Indian Education Higher Education Grant

Objectives

To provide financial aid to eligible Indian students to enable them to attend accredited institutions of higher education.

Examples of Funded Projects

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

There is no specific range as this CFDA. Awards have reached about $40M in past recent years.

Accomplishments

Account Identification

14-2100-0-1-501

Types of Assistance

B - Project Grants

Credentials and Documentation

Initial application by Indian tribes and tribal organizations must be accompanied by an authorizing resolution of the governing body of the Indian tribe. Individual student applicants must submit a certificate of Indian blood; college financial aid package; statement of acceptance by college and Bureau of Indian Affairs grant application. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Applicant Eligibility

Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and tribal organizations authorized by Indian Tribal Governments may apply to administer the program. Individuals who are members of Federally Recognized Indian Tribes may submit applications for benefits directly to the Bureau of Indian Affairs if the Bureau agency serving their reservation provides direct services for this program. Individuals must be enrolled in an accredited college and have financial need as determined by the institution's financial aid office.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Members of a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited college and have financial need as determined by the institution's financial aid office.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards to Indian tribes and tribal organizations are made on an annual basis. Grants to students are generally made for the academic year on a quarter or semester basis. A grant is for a period not to exceed 5 years, or the period of time required to complete the course of study. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Payments may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement. The time of the payments will be negotiated with the Indian tribe or tribal organization.

Use of Assistance

Grant funds are to supplement the total financial aid package prepared by the college financial aid officer. Funds are intended to assist students in pursuing their undergraduate baccalaureate degree.

Deadlines

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. The applicant should consult the BIE Education Line Officer.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.

Initial applications by Indian tribes and tribal organizations to administer the program must contain the information specified in 25 CFR Part 900, Subpart C, "Contract Proposal Contents." Individual students must be accepted by a college or university and should complete application forms in accordance with instructions available upon request from the BIE Education Line Office, or tribal contractor administering the program. Completed forms are submitted to the student's higher education program office at the appropriate office.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

All Indian tribes and tribal organizations meeting the requirements of 25 CFR Part 900 will be selected if the program has been prioritized by the Indian tribe through participation in the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Tribal Priority Allocation budget formulation process, or by the Office of Self Governance tribes. Final determination to fund student applications is based on the individual's eligibility and total dollars available to the Indian tribe or tribal organization or local Bureau office.

Award Procedure

In most cases, the application by an Indian tribe or tribal organization to administer the program can be approved by the BIE Education Line Officer and awarded by the Area/Agency Bureau Awarding Official. Individual students are notified by the Bureau of Indian Education ELO or tribal contractor, and funds are sent to the applicant in care of the college or university financial aid office.

Date Range for Approval/Disapproval

Applications by Indian tribes and tribal organizations to administer the program will be processed within 90 days. Applications by students will be processed within 6 to 10 weeks after all required documents are submitted.

Renewals

Awards to Indian tribes and tribal organizations may be renewed indefinitely upon satisfactory performance by the contractor/grantee. A notice of intent to renew should be submitted at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the current award. The amount of the award may be adjusted as a result of individual tribal priorities established in the budget formulation process. Grants to students may be continued through the undergraduate level if the student maintains acceptable progress and academic standing. Renewal applications must be submitted annually with updated grades or transcript.

Appeals

Indian tribes and tribal organizations whose application to administer the program is denied may request an informal conference with the deciding official, or may appeal the denial of the application to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, or may bring suit in U.S. District Court. Full appeal procedures are found in 25 CFR Part 900. Individual students may appeal a Bureau of Indian Affairs official's decision to the BIE Education Line Officer under the procedures contained in 25 CFR Part 2, " Appeals from Administrative Actions."

Policy Requirements

Reports

Audits

Records

Financial records must be maintained by the Indian tribe or tribal organization for three years from the date of submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must be retained for three years from the date of final payment. Property records must be retained for three years from the date of disposition, replacement, or transfer. Records pertaining to any litigation, audit exceptions or claims must be retained until the dispute has been resolved.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

25 CFR, Part 40; 25 CFR Part 900.

Formula and Matching Requirements

Regional or Local Locations:

Headquarters Office: