The Bill sponsored by Senator Bennet of Colorado would direct the Secretary of Education to pay Fort Lewis College in the State of Colorado an amount equal to the tuition charges for Indian students who are not residents of the State. The Cherokee Nation supports this legislation so tuition costs for Native American students are covered and tribal citizens have access to a first-rate education and opportunity for success.  

As introduced, this Bill would use federal dollars to reimburse Colorado for the cost of out-of-state Native American students’ tuition -- helping to guarantee that all qualified Native American students receive tuition waivers regardless of state residence. The legislation is especially pertinent to the Cherokee Nation because many of our students at Fort Lewis are also from out-of-state and need the funding protection guaranteed by this legislation:

• Over the past 10 years, 1,179 free tuition waivers were granted to members of the Cherokee Nation, of which only 449 were Colorado residents

• On average, 118 tuition waivers are granted per year to members of the Cherokee Nation

• The average GPA for Cherokee Nation students is 3.20

• 38% of Cherokee Nation students graduated with honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or  Summa Cum Laude)

• 29% of Cherokee Nation graduates were first-generation college students, meaning neither parent attended college