Funding Focus

• The two grant programs have different priorities for available grant monies. Top priorities for HEP funding include students in good standing who are already in the program, unfunded college seniors and those who apply within one year of earning an associate degree. For AVT, the highest priority is given to Blackfeet tribal members on and off the reservation, and then to those from other U.S. recognized tribes, depending on available grant monies. Grant awards average $3,000 per year for full-time students in either grant program. The Blackfeet Higher Education Committee makes all grant making decisions, according to the Blackfeet website.
  
  

Eligibility

• HEP applicants must be Blackfeet pursuing a college degree. Prospective AVT grantees, according to federal law, are between the ages of 18 and 35, need training to get a job, agree to take a full-time job upon completion of the vocational program and are members of a federally recognized tribe.
  
  

Student Requirements

• Grantees must have achieved a high school grade point average of 2.25 or above to receive a grant to attend a four-year college. Those with lesser GPAs may receive funding to attend community college or a vocational program. Whether earning a bachelor's degree, associate degree or certificate, students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average or equivalent to stay in the program and take a minimum of 12 credits per quarter or semester. AVT grantees have to pass at least 75 percent of their courses to remain in good standing.
  
  

Application Overview

• All prospective grantees must first apply for FAFSA through their school's financial aid office, which will generate a financial needs analysis and send it to the Blackfeet Higher Education Program by June 30.
  
  HEP and AVT applications must be submitted by March 1, with all supporting documents sent to the BHEP by June 30. Supporting documents for both applications include college transcripts, if any; high school transcripts; a college or vocational school admission letter; financial needs analysis; and certificate of degree of Indian blood.
  
  AVT additionally requires a copy of the applicant's marriage certificate if relevant to financial aid status, birth certificates for the applicant and all of the applicant's dependants, and a copy of military discharge documents, if applicable.
  
  

Other

• Other grants for Blackfeet and other indigenous Americans are available, particularly for education. Two potential funding sources are the U.S. Indian Affairs bureau and the American Indian College Fund. In addition, there are many financial aid opportunities available to Native Americans as minority applicants.