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Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver

The Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver Program (M.I.T.W.) is a program that offers a higher education benefit in which it ‘waives’ all tuition costs to all North American Native Americans that are no less than ¼ (25%) Native American, have resided in Michigan for no less than twelve (12) consecutive months, and are planning on attending a public community college or university WITHIN the state of Michigan. Students must meet ALL requirements to be a candidate for the benefits.

Not only does the program verify and process the benefits for the federally recognized tribes of Michigan, but also to residents of Michigan that come from tribes nationwide, as well as internationally.


Brief History

In 1976, the Michigan Legislature enacted Public Act 174, "An act to provide free tuition for North American Indians" in public colleges and universities in the State. This legislation is most commonly known as the "Comstock Agreement".
In 1934, former governor, William A. Comstock, petitioned the U.S. Government to establish state responsibility for Indian education in trade for the Mt. Pleasant Indian School, which was to be utilized as a training facility for the developmentally disabled.

In 1976, Public Act 174, was passed by the Michigan House to enact 390.1251 Waiver of Tuition.
Who Qualifies for the Tuition Wavier?

A person who...

• Is no less than 1/4 quantum blood degree, and whose Blood quantum is certified by the applicant's tribal chairperson, enrollment representative, or Bureau of Indian Affairs agent.
• Has had legal residence in the State of Michigan for the past 12 consecutive months.
• Qualifies for admission as a full-time, part-time, or summer school student attending a public Michigan community college or university.

Note...

• The law does not include reference nor include language pertaining to academic suspension, probation or progress. Therefore, the tuition waiver is NOT based on academic achievement.
• Continuing students who have been previously verified AND attending at the same university/college need not reapply. Reapplication occurs only when changing university or college.

Process for Tuition Waiver Program

Native Americans interested in applying for the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver, must take the following steps to qualify for the program:

1. Admission Students need to apply and be accepted to a Michigan community college or university. The MITW program only waives tuition payment, other fees applied by the school will be the students responsibility.

2. Tribal Certification Tribal governments or the Bureau of Indian Affairs certify blood quantum by checking tribal or federal records. 

• Native American students must complete the student portion of the tuition waiver application and FORWARD the application to their tribe to complete the "Tribal Certification" portion.
• Or Native American students may obtain an original letter of certification from their tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs for verification of blood quantum.

3. Proof of residency Proof of Twelve (12) consecutive months of residency must be provided to the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc. 

4. ITC will check the student's application for completeness and confirm that the student has obtained a certification of 1/4 blood quantum from the Tribe or Bureau of Indian Affairs and verify 12 months residency. Any applications received with missing information WILL be sent back to the applicant.

5. If Approved, ITC will forward documentation of eligibility to the Financial Aid Office of the Michigan public community college or university, as well as to the applicant. Verifications will not be forwarded to the school or university without certification and documentation of residency.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver?

The Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver is 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.

2. 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.

3. 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. 

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 known to apply the waiver retroactively.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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
Tel: 906.632.6896
Fax: 906.632.6878
E-mail: Christin McKerchie

Please click here to download the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver Program (M.I.T.W.).


*Students please be specific with your indication of school, there are several schools that may carry the same name but are located in different areas. 

Example:
University of Michigan (Located either in Dearborn, Flint or Ann Arbor)

Universities
Central Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Ferris State University
Grand Valley State University
Lake Superior State University
Michigan State University
Michigan Technological University
Northern Michigan University
Oakland University
Saginaw Valley State University
University of Michigan ~ Ann Arbor
University of Michigan ~ Dearborn
University of Michigan ~ Flint
Wayne State University
Western Michigan University

Community Colleges
Alpena Community College
Bay De Noc Community College
C.S. Mott Community College
Delta College
Glen Oaks Community College
Gogebic Community College
Grand Rapids Community College
Henry Ford Community College
Jackson Community College
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kellogg Community College
Kirtland Community College
Lake Michigan College
Lansing Community College
Macomb Community College
Mid-Michigan Community College
Monroe Community College
Montcalm Community College
Mott Community College
Muskegon Community College
North Central Michigan College
Northwestern Michigan College
Oakland Community College - Waterford
Oakland Community College - Auburn Hts.
Oakland Community College - Farmington Hills
Oakland Community College - Royal Oak
Schoolcraft Community College
Southwestern Michigan College
St. Clair Community College
Wayne County Community College
Washtenaw Community College
West Shore Community College