University of Oregon Future Stewards Program!!!
The Graduate School of the University of Oregon is pleased to announce the Future Stewards Program, designed in cooperation with the office of the Assistant Vice President and Advisor to the President on Sovereignty and Government to Government Relations. The program will provide an opportunity to work with the nine federally recognized tribes of Oregon to help to make graduate education more accessible for their members. It is our hope that tribal members who have earned graduate degrees at the University of Oregon will be able to return home to become stewards of their communities who will support their traditional culture, foster educational opportunities, and promote economic development.
The University of Oregon Graduate School will provide up to two years (six regular terms) of tuition support for students in masters, or doctoral programs. Doctoral students may use their waivers to support terms without teaching during the two year eligibility period.
To be eligible to receive a tuition waiver award (worth approximately $17,500), the student’s tribe will agree to pay mandatory student fees (about $600 per term) and provide health insurance and a stipend to support other costs of attendance.
In Academic Year 2015-16, waiver awards will be available only to current UO students (with the required tribal support). Beginning in Academic Year 2016-17, priority will be given to new students to the University of Oregon. Tuition support will be awarded for three terms during the regular academic year. Up to five awards will be made each academic year.
To be eligible a student must be admitted to a graduate program at the University of Oregon. To be considered, the student will need to submit a waiver award application and include both a statement of academic purpose (describing her or his interests and academic plan) and a letter of support from her or his tribe confirming tribal support (including the amounts to be provided for fees, insurance, and stipend). Transcripts and letters of recommendation provided through the admission process will also be reviewed. Review and selection will be conducted by a committee consisting of the Dean of the Graduate School, the Assistant Vice President, and one other faculty member.
In Academic Year 2015-16, applicants for support will be asked to submit their applications materials by December 1 for to request fall term tuition support. Students may apply for winter tuition support by December 1 and Spring tuition support by February 1. Students who receive an award for Academic Year 2015-16 may request up to three more terms of tuition support for Academic Year 2016-17.
Applications for Academic Year 2016-17 funding will be due on or before April 1. If funding remains after initial awards are made, a second round of applications will be considered with a September 1 deadline.
For more information contact Jason Younker, Assistant Vice President (jyounker@uoregon.edu) or Scott L. Pratt, Dean of the Graduate School (spratt@uoregon.edu).
I finished a graduate degree at the U of O in 1991. I am also a member of the Klamath Tribes. Could you please keep me in the information loop about this program. And thank you for creating it!