FROM THE HIGHER EDUCATION OFFICE
The Mille Lacs Band Higher Education Office (MLBHEO) is established to assist enrolled members of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and their children as they pursue their educational goals. A financial award may also be given to those members who successfully obtain their degree, diploma, or certificate. This program is not intended to replace other forms of financial aid.
Please note this update from Scholarship and Career Counselor Michele Berger regarding service during the COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Order: "Our email mlb.scholarships@millelacsband.com is the most reliable and preferred method of delivery. I am working remotely, and in the office once a week to process paperwork. As always, I need previous term grades, new course registration, and billing to determine eligibility and make a payment. Students, send your information in as soon as you are able, and let me know if you have questions. As there are limited things I can do from my home office, please understand that there will be delays in processing. If you need our office to send your school a Letter of Authorization, we do that to verify that we are funding you, as long as you are eligible. If you would like to leave a message on my office phone to be retrieved later, my direct line is 320-532-4775."
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Higher Education
43408 Oodena Road
Onamia, MN 56359
Michele Berger
Scholarship & Career Counselor
MLB.Scholarships@millelacsband.com
800-709-6445, ext. 4775
Fax: 320-532-7826
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Vocational, technical, college, and university students can apply for scholarships to pay for books, tuition, and fees. Scholarship applications are available online at millelacsband.com.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
These awards are given upon successful completion of various levels of education, from high school to graduate school. Academic achievement award applications are available online at millelacsband.com.
EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT
Mille Lacs Band members of all ages can apply for Educational Enrichment funds to attend educational classes, school-based activities, cultural activities, and community education classes. Some restrictions apply. Educational enrichment fund applications are available online at millelacsband.com.
WHAT TO EXPECT
It is important that the following steps are taken when applying for a scholarship:
- Find a school and make a plan with an end result in mind. Since our goal is to assist Band members in working toward their degrees or certification programs, it’s important that the school or institution of choice is ACCREDITED. Visit the school’s “About Us” section on their website to find this information or call us for assistance.
- Apply and be accepted. We require an acceptance letter for applications to be valid. Registration and credit load must be identified, as well as student ID number and school payment information. We need a copy of the student’s class schedule and/or the Student Ed Plan signed by an academic advisor.
- Apply for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA). This is REQUIRED! Having a FAFSA in place can provide tuition hold and is good for the entire academic year. For full-time students, the form requesting a Financial Analysis from the school must also be submitted to determine funding levels.
- Send back Higher Education Application, class schedule, and bill for the current term, complete with Tribal ID if possible, or at least enrollment number, to be verified. Twelve credits is considered full-time, and 11 credits or less is considered part-time, and we pay ONLY tuition and books for that term.
- Approval and award letters issued. When compliance with program guidelines is determined and all documents are returned, award letters and/or a Letter of Authorization will be issued. These letters indicate limitations and award amounts and can be used as a guarantee of payment.
SCHOLARSHIP FORMS & DOCUMENTS
Downloadable Documents
Assignment of Per Capita Distribution Funds
Authorization Letter and Agreement Terms