Higher Education Assistance Application | Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

It is the policy of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (“Tribe”) to encourage all Tribal Members and first generation descendants to pursue training and education that will enhance their individual goals and the quality of their lives. The Tribe’s Education Assistance Program provides financial assistance, support and encouragement to all Lower Elwha Tribal Members who choose to further their education. The purpose of the Education Assistance Program is to enhance career opportunity and employability for Tribal Members and first-generation descendants. The Lower Elwha Tribal Business Committee considers education and career advancement a top priority for Tribal Members and first generation descendants and is committed to providing support for education to the fullest extent possible, within the guidelines and budgets established for this Program.

Date

Name(Required)

First Middle Last

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Date of Birth(Required)

Tribal Enrollment Status(Required)

Enrollment Number

Enrolled Parents Full Name

College Enrollment Status(Required)

College Classification(Required)

If applicable, may we contact your parent(s)(Required)

Yes

Phone

Have you received assistance from LEKT’s Education Program in the past?(Required)

Yes

Current GPA(Required)

College or University you plan on Attending

Please attach transcripts (can be unofficial) if you are returning to school. Please list all post-secondary schools/colleges you have attended. All college history must be submitted. Failure to include past academic history may result in denial of tribal financial assistance. You will want to include explanations of any incompletes, withdrawals or low grades for evaluation.

College Name(Required)

College Address(Required)

College Name

College Address

Have you filed online for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?(Required)

Yes

If yes, please include copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) with this application. If no, go to www.fafsa.edu.gov or https://studentaid.gov and complete the application as soon as possible and provide a copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) to the Education department as soon as available.

Student Status(Required)

ONGOING STUDENTS SUBMIT:

This Application including, your Personal Statement, which details your education plans as well as how you plan on helping Native Americans when you are finished with your degree (no more than 500 words) and signed Agreement.

Proof of FAFSA Application (Student Aid Report, must be filed and submitted on an annual basis).

Personal Statement

You can utilize this space to type your personal statement or attach it as a word or pdf document. This should detail your education plans as well as how you plan on helping Native Americans when you are finished with your degree (no more than 500 words).

Personal Statement Upload

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 50 MB.

NEW STUDENTS NEED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: ONLY NEEDED ONCE IN A LIFETIME AS IT WILL REMAIN IN YOUR FILE

Copy of Certified Birth Certificate

Copy of CIB (Certification of Indian Blood) documenting enrollment in the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

Copy of High School Diploma, Final High School Transcript, or GED Certificate

BEGINNING 2021-2022 NEW STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO MEET WITH THE EDUCATION DIRECTOR PRIOR TO STARTING SCHOOL.

A check request will be prepared when the student submits a copy of their registration for the quarter or semester along with their current transcript .Please plan for at least 3 weeks for a check to be processed and to arrive at your Education Institution. Note: All information in the student’s file is confidential thus will not be released to any person without permission of the student.

Higher Education Assistance Program Agreement 2025-2026 School Year

The Higher Education Grant will be available to me through the Financial Aid or Business office of the college I attend. The award is for my educational expenses while enrolled in college. PLEASE INITIAL EACH PARAGRAPH BELOW TO INDICATE YOU HAVE READ THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LOWER ELWHA KLALLAM TRIBE EDUCATION BENEFITS!

Read the Statement and initial the boxes below

I will maintain at least 6 credits for part-time student status or 12 credits for a full-time undergraduate student.

If I am a graduate student or higher, I will maintain the full or part-time credit requirements of the college or university I attend.

If I am required to retake courses the tribal funds have previously paid, the credits will not be counted in the total credit load for the current higher education grant. For example, you decide to take 12.0 credits. Of the 12.0 credits the tribe has already paid for a 5.0 credit class that you need to retake (for whatever reason) your funding will be prorated for 7.0 credit hours.

I agree to maintain a GPA of at least a 2.0 to remain eligible for financial assistance.

I understand that if I withdraw or receive a 0.00 GPA or zero credits for insufficient and unjustifiable reasons before the term or training program is over I will refund the money awarded to me (including any tools) and any future financial assistance to me, will be jeopardized.

It is my responsibility to inform the Education Director of any changes in my student or education status within 10 days of the change.

It is my responsibility to officially withdrawal from school in the event I am unable to attend. I will then provide a copy of the withdrawal form to the Education Director. Otherwise, I may be responsible for full repayment of tuition and fees to LEKT.

I will send the Education Director a copy of my transcript with grades and total credits earned at the end of each term.

I will provide a copy of my registration for the term I am requesting funding.

There is not funding for summer quarter unless it is a requirement of the program I am attending. I must then provide documentation to validate summer requirement.

Ensure a W-9 for your school is on file for Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s accounting office.

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Higher Education Assistance Program Release of Information 2025-2026 Education Department

Jessica Egnew, Education Director 2851 Lower Elwha Road Port Angeles, WA 98363 jessica.egnew@elwha.org

The Privacy Act of 1974 required each Federal Agency that maintains a system of information on individuals to inform those individuals as to: 1. The Authority (whether granted by statute, or by executive order of the President) that authorized the solicitation of the information and whether disclosure of such information is mandatory or voluntary; 2. The principle purpose or purposes for which the information is intended to be used; 3. The routine uses which may be of the information as published pursuant to paragraph (4), (d) of this subsection and; 4. The effects, if any, of not providing all or any part of the requested information. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe requires the information in the application solely for the determination of eligibility. Failure on the part of the applicant to provide the necessary information may preclude applicant eligibility. A copy of the Privacy Act of 1974 is available upon request

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe requires the information in the application solely for the determination of eligibility. Failure on the part of the applicant to provide the necessary information may preclude applicant eligibility. A copy of the Privacy Act of 1974 is available upon request.

Statement of Education Purpose

I declare that I will use any funds I receive under the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Higher Education Assistance Program solely for expenses connected with attendance at:

Please Identify the college you plan to attend(Required)

Student ID Number(Required)

I HEREBY CERTIFY that all the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any information that I provide is subject to Federal Review and consent to the release of this and any other relevant information to the Tribe, college financial aid officer, and Education Advisory Committee as applicable, to process my application and maintain grant eligibility. I will provide a copy of my transcripts to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Education Director at the end of each quarter/semester before requesting funds for the following quarter/semester. Application due date. The sooner students complete their FAFSA the more “Institutional Ai d” Participants in the Lower Elwha Higher Education Program are required to make satisfactory progress per they are eligible to receive. Check your college’s website for those Priority date Dates!quarter/semester with a 2.0 quarterly and accumulative grade point average in their pursuit of a degree or a certificate from an accredited educational institution and/or program. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the loss of the scholarship grant.

Signature(Required)

I authorize the release of grades, attendance reports, progress reports and any information to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

Date