CEDAR CITY — As of spring 2023, the Utah Native American Tuition Gap Award will give undergraduate students that are members of Utah’s eight federally recognized tribes the opportunity to obtain a tuition waiver at Southern Utah University.
“We are thrilled to offer this tuition waiver to current and future Native American students,” said SUU President Mindy Benson said in a news release. “We want our students to experience the transformative power of higher education and pursue their degrees at SUU without financial barriers.
“I appreciate the collaboration with SUU’s current indigenous students and dedicated staff who assisted in the development of this opportunity and continue to create meaningful relationships and partnerships with Native communities.”
As of October 2022, 450 Native American students had been admitted to SUU, but only 84 were currently enrolled, the news release said. The program seeks to help students with financial barriers to access, attend and complete their higher education. Once awarded, the waiver is renewable for up to eight semesters, ensuring students receive support to complete their degrees at SUU.
“This award is an important way to put investment behind our goal of serving our local and surrounding indigenous community who we know face barriers to start and to finish their education,” said Daneka Souberbielle, chief diversity officer at SUU, in the news release. “Even though this may not address all of the financial barriers our Native American students face, it’s a critical starting point for us to be intentional about our commitment to support current and potential indigenous students. ”
To receive the Native American Student Award, which will be renewable for up to eight semesters, eligible students must be:
- An admitted SUU student.
- A Utah resident or a non-resident student who qualifies for resident tuition.
- Enrolled full-time (12+ units) in a degree-seeking program.
- An enrolled member of one of the federally recognized Utah tribes or any federal tribe and a graduate from a Utah high school and eligible for in-state tuition.
Additionally, students must have a current completed FAFSA on file at SUU by the first day of classes each semester receiving the award. If a student is selected for verification, it must be completed before funds are disbursed to the student’s account.
Students interested in applying for the tuition waiver should visit SUU’s Financial Aid and Scholarships Office or contact their financial aid counselor.