The Higher Education Assistance Application can be completed two ways.

1. Online via form.

2. Download, print and send via snail mail.

By completing this application, you will be considered for the Higher Education Self-Sufficiency Fund Program and/or the Higher Education Grant Program.

Click here to fill out the Online Higher Education Assistance Application

or

Click here and download the snail mail Higher Education Assistance Application

The Higher Education Self-Sufficiency Fund

• be enrolled in a community college, four-year college or university
• be in good academic standing
• be making satisfactory progress toward graduation

If the school you are attending or the courses you are taking do not fit any of these categories, you may be asked to provide additional information to determine eligibility.

Instructions: After completing each session (semester, term, or quarter), send your original grade report or an unofficial or official transcript

The Sault Tribe Education Department, 2 Ice Circle, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

The Award Process: Grade reports or transcripts are used to calculate awards after each Session. Awards are granted on a Session-by-Session and first-come, first-serve basis. Session-by-Session indicates that you cannot accumulate Sessions and then submit a transcript after the school year is over. First-come, first-serve means that as transcripts are received, award checks are processed. Receiving one award does not automatically guarantee you a second.

Awards are based on the number of credit hours completed after each Session. If you attend a semester school full time, the maximum award is $500 per semester; less than full time it's $40 per credit hour. If you're attending a term school full time, the maximum is $333 per term; less than full time is $26.65 per credit hour.

For one calendar year (January 1 to December 31) and depending on the amount awarded to date, the maximum amount a student could receive attending a semester school is $1,000 (term school $999). For example, if you receive $500 in January 2006 for the Fall 2005 Session and $500 in June 2006 for the Winter 2006 session, the maximum of $1,000 has been met for the calendar year. Amounts are subject to change.

Award checks are written in the student's name and sent to the mailing address shown on the application. It is your responsibility to report your award(s) to the appropriate agencies which may include the financial aid office, the IRS,etc.

Summary: In summary, there are two steps that you need to follow for this program:

1. Complete the Higher Education Assistance Application

2. After completing each Session (semester, term, or quarter), send your original grade report or a unofficial or official transcript to:

   The Sault Tribe Education Department
   2 Ice Circle
   Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

The Higher Education Grant Program

This is an unmet need-based program and is intended to assist with direct educational costs (tuition, fees, books, supplies, and room and board) that are not covered through other financial aid that you are eligible for including Family Contribution. To be eligible, you must be attending a Michigan state-support school full time (12 credits or more) and you have an additional unmet need. The additional unmet need is determined after you have applied for all institutional financial aid and by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A separate application will be sent to your school on your behalf, if you're planning to attend a Michigan state-supported school on a full time basis.

Tribal grant awards are based upon recommendations made by the college or university's financial aid offices and based on available tribal funds. Award checks are sent to the financial aid office during each term or semester you are eligible to receive a tribal award. All students will be notified of their eligibility status.

SCHOLARSHIPS