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| Challenge Grant
Adds $20,000 to Native American Studies Scholarships |
| The Center for Native
American Studies at MSU received $20,000 in scholarship dollars to help
meet the needs of American Indian students--a $10,000 Challenge Grant from
the American Indian Education Foundation (AIEF) and $10,000 in university
matching funds from three donors. Based in Beaverton, Ore., AIEF is a nonprofit
organization with a mission to give American Indian students the tools and
opportunities needed to learn and succeed. |
| The scholarships are
available on a semester-by-semester basis to students with a demonstrated
unmet financial need. Eligible students are of American Indian/Alaska Native
descent, enrolled in any undergraduate field of study, and in good academic
standing. In academic year 2003-04, scholarship dollars from $1,000-$2,000
per student have been awarded. |
| According to Gail Brownmiller,
program director for AIEF, MSU's commitment to Native Americans was a strong
factor in its being selected to receive the Challenge Grant. |
| "AIEF selected Montana
State University to participate in the Challenge Grant program because of
its outstanding Center for Native American Studies and its desire to increase
scholarship funding for Native American students," says Brownmiller. "It
is unique in its integration of Native American programs across academic
disciplines and its strong support of students. We are excited to work with
MSU because of its commitment to Native Americans from the administrative
level to the individual student. Congratulations on meeting the $10,000
challenge." |
| MSU's extensive student-support
programs, including mentoring and tutoring, remove most of the obstacles
to success for American Indian students, according to Walter Fleming, director
of the Center for Native American Studies at MSU. |
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"The
biggest barrier that Native students face at MSU is the lack of financial
resources," says Fleming. "The gift from AIEF eases the burden for those
Native students with the greatest financial needs, allowing them to focus
their attention on their academic challenges."
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| In addition to the
Challenge Grant funding, the Center for Native American Studies recently
received $3,200 in emergency funds from AIEF. These funds are designed to
assist students with one-time situations that may otherwise cause them to
leave school. Four hundred dollars per family or individual is available
to those who qualify. |
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"The
purpose of this grant is to assist with unforeseen financial, academic
or family emergencies that would impede student success," says James Burns,
Native American Studies advisor. "The AIEF Emergency Grant Program is
an extraordinary opportunity for our students to access financial resources
if a crisis arises. I am very grateful for the support the AIEF donors
offer our students. Student success has a strong correlation with adequate
financial resources."
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