College Assistance (COVID-19)

The purpose of the Higher Education Program is to provide scholarships to eligible Caddo students who are working toward an Associate’s degree (except the Associate of Applied Science), or their first Bachelor’s degree, from a regionally accredited institution (meets the procedures and criteria for accreditation by the U.S. Secretary of Education).

Scholarship amounts vary and are awarded on a first come, first served basis for completed applications. This means that all required documentation for the application has been submitted to the Caddo Nation Education Department.

Eligibility

● Applicants must be enrolled members of the Caddo Nation

● Possess a high school diploma or GED

● Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

● Participants who are in default of a student loan or whose school account is in arrears are not eligible for this program unless a payment agreement has already been arranged. Previous account balances cannot be funded through this program.

Program Requirements

● Full-time students must complete 12 or more hours per academic term. Part-time students must be enrolled in 6-11 hours per academic term.

● All students must achieve and maintain a term and cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 grade point scale.

● Students shall continue to be eligible for funding for 10 terms as long as they meet the above listed criteria.

● Failure to meet the academic standards for continued funding shall result in being place on probation for one term or suspension if academic standards are not met while on probation.

All students must submit one application per academic year if they will be attending the same school for all terms. If there are significant changes, such as transferring to another school, a new mid-term application will be required.

An Official Transcript is required at the end of every term funded (after grades have been posted for that term), and a Verification of Enrollment is required to be submitted before any additional funding will be considered.

DEADLINES:

Fall Term – July 15

(Good for academic year. Will require supplemental documentation if continuing in Spring semester) 

Spring Term – November 15th

(Applies only to new applications and/or change of school.)
  

FUNDING IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER TERMS

The purpose of the Adult Education Program is to improve educational opportunities and occupational opportunities for Adult Caddo members who lack literacy skills for productive employment and assists tribal members to become self-sufficient and contributing members of society. Program services are offered on a first come, first served basis for completed applications.

Eligibility

● Applicants must be enrolled members of the Caddo Nation

● Must be beyond the State Compulsory Attendance age

● Must reside within the jurisdiction of the Anadarko Agency (Caddo, Kiowa, Comanche, Cotton or Tillman Counties in the state of Oklahoma).

Program Activities

● Literacy: Coordinates with existing community programs to provide tuition and supply assistance for courses needed to attain adequate skills to complete the GED test.

● Short-term Training: Provides assistance for short-term training of one year or less. Some forms of assistance are: re-licensure/certification and upgrade training that will better equip and enable participants to either enter or retain employment; or short-term basic training in life skills such as computer training, tax preparation, specialty workshops such as Medicare, Social Security informational sessions and other related programs of interest or necessity that is chaired by experts.

● Cultural Awareness Education: Short-term training by cultural experts for adult Caddos to explore the arts, language, literature, genealogy and other such traditions of the Caddo people. Expenses for this program will be restricted to the cost of acquiring teaching material and per diem or honorarium for the instructor.

Only completed applications will be considered. Failure on the part of the applicant to provide the required information will preclude the applicant from eligibility in obtaining adult education assistance under this program. Applications will be considered incomplete and filed after six (6) weeks.

Repeat training services will be determined on an individual basis, taking into consideration the type of training already received, length of previous training session, whether it is sequential, the need for the training, prior performance and present motivation of the applicant. If previously funded, all certificates/diplomas will need to be submitted prior to receiving additional funding
 

The purpose of the Job Placement & Training Program is to provide: 1) Job Placement (Direct Employment Assistance), and 2) Job Training (Adult Vocational Training) to interested and eligible enrolled Caddo Nation members who desire to acquire job skills necessary for full-time employment and to obtain and retain permanent employment.

Eligibility

● Applicants must be enrolled members of the Caddo Nation

● Must be beyond the State Compulsory Attendance age

● Must reside within the jurisdiction of the Anadarko Agency (Caddo, Kiowa, Comanche, Cotton or Tillman Counties in the state of Oklahoma).

Program Activities

The Program will provide vocational training assistance and/or assistance for starting new employment, to adult tribal members. The Program can provide short-term and long-term training assistance, and/or other forms of assistance that would enable participants to train, retrain, and upgrade underemployed and unemployed workers in skill areas for which there is a demand in the labor market. Tribal members residing within the jurisdiction of the Anadarko Agency may be eligible for Program services to the extent resources will allow.

Additional Eligibility Criteria for Job Training

Must make application for the FAFSA (contact the Financial Aid Office at the institution of training).

Failure to provide the required information/documentation will preclude the applicant from eligibility in obtaining job placement or job training assistance under this program. Incomplete applications will be considered inactive after one month.

Repeat Services

An applicant can receive only one (1) repeat service. Repeat training services will be determined on an individual basis, taking into consideration the type of training already received, the need for retraining, prior performance and present motivation of the applicant. If previously funded, all certificates/diplomas will need to be submitted prior to receiving additional funding.
 

This funding has a limited timeframe and will be utilized until funds are depleted.

HIGHER EDUCATION ARPA – This is a one-time disbursement. Eligible participants will qualify for $1,000.00 to be sent to their school to help defray the cost of attendance. The application is located at the top of the Education page.

ADULT EDUCATION ARPA – This assistance follows the same guidelines as the P.L. 93-638 Adult Education Program. This assistance does not have jurisdictional limits.

JOB TRAINING ARPA – This assistance follows the same guidelines as the P.O. 93-638 Job Placement & Training Program. This assistance does not have jurisdictional limits.

ARPA EDUCATION ASSISTANCE GRADES 1 - 12

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Funds have been allotted to the Caddo Nation Education Department to be used to encourage students to finish their schooling, and to financially assist tribal members attending public schools, including home-schooled students, with certain school-related expenses and fees.

The following is a list of activities and/or expenditures that may be deemed allowable. Applicants should note that if this financial assistance has already been provided through any of the existing tribal programs, scholarships, or other sources, the application will not be considered for funding.

• Special services such as tutoring and other academic activities

• Special books or supplies

• Graduation announcements

• Cap and gown

• Senior pictures

• Class rings

• Fees for school-related functions

• Assist with class trips

• Award trips

• ACT/SAT Testing fee and one retake

• Driver’s Education

• Uniforms (only if required by school)

• Other expenses related to education to be determined by the Caddo Nation Education Department.

The following is a list of activities and/or expenditures that will not be allowed.

• Reimbursement requests

• Services duplicated by Johnson O’Malley or other Indian Education programs through the school or through the Caddo Nation.

• Any types of camps (cheer, band, sports, etc.)

• Purchase of school pride clothing items (hats, shirts, jackets, etc.)

PRIVACY STATEMENT

The Family Educational Rights and privacy Act (FERPA)(20 U.S.C 1232g; 34 CFT Part 99) is the Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to recipients who receive Federal funding for educational purposes. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level.
WITH THIS STATED AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FERPA, THE CADDO NATION EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL DISCUSS STUDENT INFORMATION WITH THE STUDENT APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE ONLY.