Higher Education
The Sault Tribe's Education Division offers three Higher Education Programs:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Self-Sufficiency Incentive Awards
Students are required to complete an annual Higher Education Application Packet which includes an application, W-9 form, and requests a copy of their tribal card. Packets for the upcoming academic year are always released on April 1st.
Click Here for a Higher Education Application Packet.
Higher Education – Scholarship Program
The Sault Tribe awards a number of scholarships named after individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The scholarship deadline is always June 1st for the upcoming academic year. Scholarships are paid directly to the student but after the official drop/add period has ended for Fall semester (late September).
Applicants must submit a Sault Tribe Higher Education Assistance Application, W-9 taxpayer I.D. form, and a copy of their Sault Tribe membership card for the approaching school year. Students must submit a cover letter which includes their name, the name and location of college or university they will be attending, their academic major and career objective. Students must submit a 300-500 word essay (check announcement for theme of essay each year.) There is a June 1 deadline for all scholarships. Students may submit one cover letter and essay for multiple scholarships as long as the cover letter specifically states each scholarship the student wishes to apply for.
(Please scroll to the bottom of this page for a complete listing of our available scholarships.)
Higher Education – Grant Program
The Sault Tribe Higher Education Grant Program is for Sault Tribe members attending a Michigan state-supported two- or four-year college or university full-time (12 credit hours or more). Students must be an undergrad and have a completed FAFSA on file with their college. Grants are based on unmet financial need as determined by the individual college in which the student is enrolled.
The Grant Program deadline is July 1. Students maybe awarded up to $500 for two semesters (Fall and Winter) and they must maintain a 2.5 grade point average (GPA). The Sault Tribe receives funding from the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs for this purpose.
Students must complete a current Higher Education application, a W-9 taxpayer I.D. form, and submit a copy of their Sault Tribe membership card. The student will be notified via letter and any awarded funds will be applied directly to the student's financial aid account after the drop/add course deadline (which is usually in late September).
IMPORTANT: Michigan has a deadline of March 1st for the FAFSA. In order to qualify for the Higher Education Grant, students must apply for the FAFSA.
Higher Education – Self-Sufficiency Incentive Award Program
The Self-Sufficiency Incentive Award Program rewards Sault Tribe members for successfully completing college courses toward a degree or certificate program at a two or four-year college or university during their Fall semester. This is not a need-based program.
Incentive awards are paid to all Sault Tribe Native American students who submit a grade report for the Fall semester between Dec. 1 and Jan. 31. The amount per credit hour is determined by the amount of available funds divided by the total number of credit hours from all students who apply by the deadline. This amount will vary from year to year based on available funds and the number of students and credit hours. In 2010, the amount was $39.50 per credit hour. In 2011, the amount was $32.50 per credit hour. In 2012, there were 733 students who submitted a total of 8784 credit hours. The amount awarded per credit hour for 2012 was $31.00. Only grades of C or better, including ‘Pass’ or ‘Credit’ results will be counted toward the Self-Sufficiency Incentive Award. Due to limited funding, we can not pay for repeat courses.
The program is funded through interest earned on the Tribe’s Self-Sufficiency Investment Fund.
Sault Tribe members enrolled in any public or private college or university are eligible for the program and must submit their grades between the Dec. 1 and Jan. 31 deadline with the following information: Name of school, student's full name, semester and year, final grades, and credit hours per course. (The required information must be on the original report and can not be handwritten onto it.) Students must have a current Higher Education Assistance Application, W-9 taxpayer I.D. form, and copy of their Sault Tribe membership card on file by the stated deadline also. It is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork turned in by deadline. Incomplete paperwork will result in student being ineligible for Self-Sufficiency Incentive Award.
It is recommended to turn in your Higher Education Application, W-9 Taxpayer I.D. form, and submit a copy of your Sault Tribe membership card prior to Dec. 1. Due to large document volumes during this time; we also recommend saving confirmation of having sent your grade report, such as a confirmation email or a fax confirmation page.
2013/2014 SCHOLARSHIPS:
The 2013/2014 Essay Topic: “What does being Indian mean to you in terms of a connection to the land, language, culture, and family? If you do not have a connection to your tribe, can you address possible reasons why this happened and how you would establish a reconnection.”
All scholarship essays’ must follow this topic and meet the 300-500 word essay count in order to be considered eligible. Students may use the same essay for multiple scholarships as long as each individual scholarship is listed on their cover sheet.
Bernard Bouschor Honorary Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student in any field of study who is working towards an undergraduate degree at any accredited college or university.
Pamela Cable Gershon Memorial Scholarship – (1) $150 awarded to a graduating high school senior with a minimum 2.50 GPA, must reside within the tribe's seven-county service area, any field of study, and must be accepted into a two or four-year college or university.
John P. Carr Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time, undergraduate student in any field of study and must be a permanent resident of Unit 5.
Don Corp Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student enrolled at any accredited college or university who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in History, Historical Preservation, Museum Studies, or other history-related field.
June Curran Porcaro Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a student who has been homeless, displaced or in the foster care system or who is pursuing a degree to work with such individuals in the Human Services field. Must demonstrate financial need.
Fred L. Hatch Memorial Teacher Education Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student of at least junior year standing, at least one-quarter Indian blood quantum, at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, enrolled in a Michigan public college or university in a Teacher Education program. (Blood quantum must be verified by the Sault Tribe Enrollment Department and they must submit a copy of their transcript).
Lori Jump Survivor Honorary Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student at an accredited two- or four-year college or university pursuing an undergraduate degree in Social Work or Social Services.
Noah Thomas Leask Family Scholarships – (12) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student in any field of study who is working towards an undergraduate degree at any accredited college or university.
Joseph K. Lumsden Memorial Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student of at least junior standing, at least one-quarter Indian blood quantum (must be verified by the Sault Tribe Enrollment Department). A 3.0 cumulative grade point average is required (must submit transcript).
Victor Matson Sr. Tributary Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student enrolled or accepted into a two- or four-year college or university pursuing a degree in Fisheries or Natural Resources Management or a related field of study. Must be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.
Ken McCoy G.E.D. College Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to an individual who earned their General Educational Development (G.E.D.) certificate. Must be a full-time student at an accredited two- or four-year college or university pursuing an undergraduate degree in any field of study.
Mary and Harold “Cub” McKerchie Tributary Scholarship– (1) $1,000 awarded a non-traditional student who is enrolled full-time in any field of study who is working towards an undergraduate degree at any accredited college or university.
Martha Miller Tributary Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student at a two- or four-year college or university pursuing a degree (either undergraduate or graduate) in Social Work, Social Services, or a related human services field of study.
George K. Nolan Tribal Judicial Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student of at least sophomore, in good academic standing, pursuing a degree (either undergraduate or graduate) in Tribal Law, Law Enforcement, Legal Studies, Political Science or Public Administration. Student must submit a copy of their transcript.
Barb and Ed “Pie” Pine Tributary Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student in any field of study who is working towards an undergraduate degree at any accredited college or university.
Wright-Hatch Journalism Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student at an accredited two- or four-year college or university pursuing an undergraduate degree in Journalism.
The Nokimos Scholarship: Mary Sabina Osagwin & Christine Muscoe Anderson – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student in any field of study who is working towards an undergraduate degree at any accredited college or university.
Unit 3 Honoree Tributary Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student in any field of study who is working towards an undergraduate degree at any accredited college or university.
Lucille Winberg Honoree Tributary Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student in any field of study who is working towards an undergraduate degree at any accredited college or university.
Dolores LeVeque Honoree Tributary Scholarship – (1) $1,000 awarded to a full-time student in any field of study who is working towards an undergraduate degree at any accredited college or university.
Special Needs Scholarship –(4) $1,000 (2 awards for under 18; 2 awards for age 18 and older) awarded to a student who has a documented physical or emotional disability. (Student must submit a letter from their physician, mental health provider, or special education professional). Must indicate what educational purpose the scholarship will be utilized for and a provide an itemized list of expected costs (for the entire $1,000).
PLEASE NOTE:
In order to take full advantage of the Higher Education Program, students should apply for our program starting after April 1st, if they will be attending college for upcoming Fall semester. All students will be required to submit a new Higher Education Assistance Packet which includes a Higher Education Assistance Application, W-9 Taxpayer I.D. form, and a copy of their tribal card each year they wish to apply for our Higher Education Program. (This packet is offered in the download folder on this site). All programs are offered annually. Students must complete and sign their own forms in order to be eligible (this includes the W-9 form). Students must complete a FAFSA in order to be considered eligible.
Students wishing to apply for multiple scholarships may submit ONE Higher Education Application, W-9 Taxpayer I.D. form, copy of their Sault Tribe Membership card, a cover letter (it must list each individual scholarship that the student is applying for), and one essay focused on that year's topic.
ALL APPLICATIONS & DOCUMENTATION CAN BE SUBMITTED TO:
Sault Tribe Higher Education
ATTN: Brandi MacArthur
523 Ashmun Street
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
EMAIL: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
OR FAXED TO: 906-635-7785