Education Department
We are dedicated to the vision that through education communities and families flourish. We will encourage individual empowerment and foster tribal prosperity by providing comprehensive educational services and exceptional resources that maintain our cultural values and meet the changing needs of our community. We will promote individual and tribal growth using the future as our goal, the past as our example, and the present as our means of instilling pride in our youth, empowering our families and preserving the knowledge of our elders. We will administer fair and accessible programs that are beneficial to the members, offer positive and valuable activities, and establish an educational center that offers interactive and user-friendly resources. We will also encourage the growth of the greater community through enhanced involvement supported by a department that values knowledge, integrity, change and growth, and whose staff strives for professionalism, fairness and cohesiveness.
The education department is located on the 1st floor of the program wing in the LTBB Governmental complex.
Youth Programs
Preschool-12th Grade Education Assistance Scholarship
The purpose of the Preschool – 12th Grade Education Assistance Scholarship program is to assist with the cost of the educational needs for all LTBB students in Preschool and in grades kindergarten through 12th grade. This program is Tribally funded.
Program Criteria:
- A scholarship is available to all Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal members who provide proof of enrollment in a preschool program, grades K-12, or a home school program.
- A completed application must be submitted for each student and signed by the legal parent/ guardian, unless the student is 18, in which the student may sign his/her own application.
- An application for a child who is in foster care or is a ward of the Court must be completed by the appropriate Department and signed by the Director of Tribal Court and/or Human Services as deemed necessary.
- Each student will receive a scholarship award of $100.00 for educational and/or extracurricular expenses.
- A scholarship is available only once per academic year per student; the academic year is defined as August 1 – July 31.
- Additional documentation may be required to process the scholarship application.
Application Criteria:
- Name of Student
- Enrollment number
- Copy of Tribal enrollment card
- Date of Birth
- Address
- Phone Number
- School/program name
- School address
- School phone number
- Enrolled grade
- Legal parent/guardian’s printed name
(unless a student is 18 yrs of age, as noted above in Program Criteria #2) - Parent/Guardian Social Security #
- Legal parent/guardian’s signature
(unless a student is 18 yrs of age, as noted above in Program Criteria #2) - Director’s signature
(if necessary, as noted above in Program Criteria #2) - Spending Plan
Expenditure Criteria:
The goal of the Preschool – 12th Grade Education Assistance Scholarship program is to supplement, assist and enhance the student’s educational opportunities. The legal parent/guardian will be requested to complete a brief “spending plan” regarding how the scholarship award will be used to enhance the child’s education.
Download and Print Criteria
Download Scholarship Application
SUMMER YOUTH CAMP
This annual program is sponsored and organized by the LTBB Education Departmegnt along with the assistance and commitment of other Tribal department staff. Summer youth camp is an opportunity for native youth to participate in educational activities such as field trips, presentations, demonstrations and hands-on activities.
This program:
- is for youth ages 4 – 14
- is at no cost to participants
- is held during the designated camp week for each age group
- requires that the participant’s registration packet is complete, including a signed permission form and medical waiver form
- requires that the participant is dropped off & picked up at the designated area
- requests that full day participants bring a packed lunch and healthy beverage
Educational Programs
Waganakising Odawa Career
and
Technical Education Program
WOCTEP
For more information on the WOCTEP Program
Click Here
Michelle Chingwa Education Assistance Scholarship Program
The Michelle Chingwa Education Assistance Scholarship Program was enacted by Waganakising Odawak Statute 2003-06, The Michelle Chingwa Education Assistance Act and took effect on August 15, 2003 . This scholarship program is a Tribally funded program providing monetary scholarships to tribal members pursuing a higher education.
Who is eligible?
All Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians tribal members who:
- have a complete application on file, including all signed forms and documentation
- are enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education or a tribally-controlled college
- maintain a 2.0 GPA or better
- have applied for all campus-based financial aid prior to applying
What does the application require?
- a complete scholarship application and all necessary forms (to be completed each Fall for the academic year, which begins August 1st.
- application for Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver (if eligible)
- a copy of most current grades (for continuing college students)
- a copy of grade report from last time awarded the Michelle Chingwa Scholarship (for continuing scholarship recipients)
- a copy of student’s class schedule
- a copy of tribal card, driver’s license, and social security card
- a copy of student’s SAR (Student Aid Report) from processed FAFSA
Established deadlines are as follows:
- Fall - October 1st
- Winter / Spring - February 15th
- Summer - June 15th
How is the scholarship awarded?
- The levels for each classifiacation of award shall be as follows:
- Class 1 (LTBB sponsored courses)
$25 per credit hour - Class 2 (community colleges)
$150 per credit hour - Class 3 (4 yr. colleges)
$250 per credit hour - Class 4 (graduate level courses)
$350 per credit hour - Class 5 (free courses)
$15 per credit hour
- Class 1 (LTBB sponsored courses)
- The program awards undergraduate students up to 18 credits per semester; graduate students will be awarded up to 12 credits per semester.
- Awards will be distributed in two (2) installments each semester to the student's institution. The award will be applied toward direct school expenses before being released to the student.
- In order to be eligible for the second installment of the Michelle Chingwa Education Assistance scholarship award, students must submit an Enrollment Verification Form, which is provided in their first award notification letter, a copy of their most recent grade report. This form must be completed by the student’s Enrollment Office and sent to the LTBB Education Department.
Award Criteria:
- LTBB members who drop-out, withdraw from courses or are expelled from their institution, or are determined ineligible to receive Michelle Chingwa Education Assistance after receiving an installment of the Michelle Chingwa Education Assistance scholarship will have the distributed amount adjusted from their next approved award or will be processed for repayment. This does not include students who are waived based on extenuating circumstances.
Higher Education Emergency Assistance Fund
This is a tribally-funded program that provides limited funding to college-enrolled tribal members in cases where emergency situations have significantly strained their educational budgets, and their ability to attend class.
This program:
- is available to all eligible tribal members actively enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education or a tribally-controlled college who are in need of emergency assistance due to family tragedy, accident, natural disaster or other immediate circumstance causing significant financial strain
- requires written statement of need and documentation of circumstance(s)
- provides monetary assistance or other support services up to $1000
- Does not allow for reimbursement of household bills or the payment of past due rent/mortgage.
- is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, first come – first served, with eligibility limited to once per academic year
Cultural Library
The Education Department also houses a cultural library that is open to the membership. All of the materials and resources are inventoried and catalogued on a software system that makes it convenient for the membership to set up a patron account and check out library materials.
The library has a wonderful selection of:
- Language tapes
- Instructional videos
- Entertainment videos
- Documentary videos
- College materials
- Children’s books
- Reference materials
- Periodicals
- Fiction & non-fiction
Please visit us and enjoy the library. Also, if you have any recommendations for new materials or resources, please let us know. We are hoping to expand our selection.
Appeal Process
The applicant must obtain an appeal form from the Education Department and submit the completed appeal form to the Education Department within 15 days of receiving notification of the departmental decision. The appeal will be reviewed by the Education Appeals Boardat their next regularly scheduled meeting. The applicant will be permitted to present his/her appeal case in person at the aforementioned meeting. A response from the Commission will be provided in 10 days. All decisions made by the Education Appeals Board are final.
*Please note that failure to complete the appeal process in a timely manner may result in a denial of the appeal.
Resources
FAFSA Online (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver Application
The Education Department is located on the 1st floor of the program wing in the LTBB Governmental complex.
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
Education Department
7500 Odawa Circle
Harbor Springs , MI 49740
(231)242-1480
(231)242-1490 fax
The Departmental staff consists of:
Meredith Henry - Education Director
Dorothy Perry - K-12 Student Services Coordinator
Vacant - Higher Ed., Student Services Coordinator
Beverly Wemigwase - Administrative Assistant
The Education Department is advised by the education commission which currently consists of the following members:
Catherine Laba - Board Member
Katie Bauer - Chairperson, Treasurer
Lily Anderson - Secretary