Saint Mary's University of Minnesota welcomes two missionaries to campus this year. | Stanley Morales/Pexels
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota welcomes two missionaries to campus this year. | Stanley Morales/Pexels
Students from Arizona’s 22 federally recognized Native American tribes won’t have to pay tuition and mandatory fees at the University of Arizona’s main campus in Tucson, thanks to the new Arizona Native Scholars Grant.
Administered by UA Enrollment Management, The grant is part of several university programs and partnerships with Native American communities and students in Arizona.
"Serving Arizona's Native American tribes and tribal students is a crucial part of the University of Arizona's land-grant mission, and the Arizona Native Scholars Grant program is another important step among many to do that," UA President Robert C. Robbins said in a release by the school.
"I am so proud that this university has found a way to help hundreds of students more easily access and complete a college education, and I look forward to finding ways to take these efforts even further."
To participate, a student must first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and provide tribal identification. According to the release by UA, about 400 students would be affected by the grant.
"The University of Arizona is committed to recognizing and acknowledging the history endured by Native American communities," Kasey Urquídez, vice president of enrollment management and dean of undergraduate admissions, said in the release. "We are committed to promoting access and success for Indigenous students. This program is part of our continual commitment to serve our Indigenous Wildcats."
Urquídez said it was possible the grant program could expand to graduate and online students, as well as those at other campuses. The university may also look to donors for support as the program expands, Urquídez added.
"These initiatives aren't checkmarks,” added Levi Esquerra, senior vice president for Native American advancement and tribal engagement. “They represent the University of Arizona's commitment and continued drive to be the leading institution serving Native Americans. This is a very exciting time, and we're going to continue our work with tribes to make great things happen."
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