Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver?

An Act to provide free tuition by ‘waiving’ tuition costs for North American Indians in public community colleges or universities within the state of Michigan.

Do all North American Indians qualify for this program?

The program is for all North American Native Americans who are Michigan residents for 12 consecutive months; are no less than 1/4 blood quantum as certified by the person's tribal association; and are verified by the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc.

If I live in another state or Canada during the summer and in Michigan for the remaining school year, would I be eligible to receive the benefits of the tuition waiver?  Or if my Aunt/Mom/Grandma lives in Michigan and I am planning on moving in with her would I qualify under her residency?

No, you (the applicant) must be a legal resident of Michigan for twelve (12) consecutive months.

I am not sure how to determine my blood quantum, and I am not sure where to get that information, do I send in the paperwork to you for you to figure that out?  I think I may actually be from a few different tribes, will I still be eligible?  Is there a place designated to have blood drawn to determine my quantum?
No, that determination needs to be established before the application comes to our office.  If you know where your tribe is located, you will contact and send your application to your tribal enrollment office, if you are not sure what tribe you originated from than a call to the Bureau of Indian Affairs may be able to point you in the right direction.  The Sault Sainte Marie office may be reached at (906) 632-6809.  For some, this may be only a starting point, please allow the appropriate time frame in order to ensure you will be set to begin school as planned.

You may have an accumulation of tribal descent to make up the one quarter (1/4) degree requirement.  You would have to contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs for their assistance.

There is no determining factor with having your blood drawn, all applicants must go through your individual tribal enrollment office or the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

When should I begin the Tuition Waiver and Financial Aid application process?

At the time you apply for admission. Remember, applying for admission is separate from the financial services process. Please keep in mind that applications may take up to six weeks to process, it is the students responsibility to allow the appropriate amount of time for processing to ensure the waiver will reach their school in a timely manner.
If approved, your school WILL be notified by mail of your eligibility. You may check the status of your tuition waiver by contacting your financial aid office. A copy of your confirmation will also be sent to the address provided on your application. Please be sure to keep this copy for your files.

When Will I receive my Money for Tuition?

With the tuition waiver program there are no actual ‘funds’ transferred.  Tuition is ‘waived’, therefore there will be no monies applied to your account with your school, and all additional student fees, lab fees, etc., will be the responsibility of the student.

If I began school before I was approved for the M.I.T.W., will I be reimbursed for schooling attended before the approval?

There are no reimbursements of money for prior schooling since there are no ‘monies’ applied to your account, however you may want to check with your school’s financial aid director, as some schools have been know to apply the waiver retroactively.

Am I required to fill out any additional forms at the college I am applying to?

Yes. Each college has its own requirements for financial aid assistance. All higher education institutions have a short financial aid application that must be filled out in order to process the Tuition Waiver.                   
I have decided that the school I was planning on attending will not suit my needs, Am I able to transfer schools with the waiver?  What would I have to do to make that happen?
Yes, you may transfer your waiver to a ‘public’ community college or university within the state of Michigan...  Those that have applied and been approved will need to obtain an application and complete the top portion of an application and submit that for processing. 

If I am approved for the waiver at one school and I find another school at a different location that offers a class I need, can I register with that school and attend class simutaneously?

Yes, you may dually enroll in schools as long as it is through a ‘public’ community college or university within the state of Michigan, and you waiver would apply to each individual school.

Do I have to attend college as a full-time student to use the waiver program?

No. The Tuition Waiver Program covers part-time and summer school students. It also covers Masters and Doctoral work.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc.
C/o Christin McKerchie
2956 Ashmun Street, Suite A
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Phone: (906)635-6896
Fax: (906)632-6878
E~mail: Christin McKerchie