The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe seeks to support each tribal member in pursuit of their educational goals. With this goal in mind, the Tribe created the Scholarship Program to administer scholarship and assistance programs that make education funds available to enrolled Muckleshoot Tribal members. The Tribe views Scholarship funding as an investment in both individual and in the future continued sovereignty of the Muckleshoot community.

Services provided by the Financial Aid & Scholarship Division include: 

• Higher Education Scholarship
• Vocational and Non-Vocational Certificates
• CED Assistance
• Workshops and Training
• Transitional Services
• Private School Assistance Program (PSAP)

Higher Education Scholarship

Through the Higher Education Scholarship program, Tribal members pursuing higher education degrees can receive funding for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, personal living expenses, and travel.

If you have questions regarding the Higher Education Scholarship, please contact Amy Castaneda at the Scholarship Program at (253) 294-8032 or ScholarshipsDept@Muckleshoot.nsn.us.

Please note: You are required to present your Tribal/ State ID in order to pick up a Scholarship check. Applications, paperwork, funding, etc. take 10 BUSINESS DAYS to process!

2023 - 2024 Application Windows

(Opens at 9am & Closes at Noon)

Fall 2023

• ‍New Applications: June 8 - September 6‍
• Continuing Applications: August 8 - September 5

Winter 2024

• ‍New Applications: October 27 - December 7‍
• Continuing Applications: November 21 - December 19

Spring 2024

• ‍New Applications: January 29 - March 5‍
• Continuing Applications: February 20 - March 28

New Student Applicants:

• First time applicants
• Changing Degree
• Transferring Schools

Continuing Student Applicants:

• New Academic Year Documents
• Class Schedule & Grades
• Taking Semester/Quarter Off

If you have any difficulty meeting a deadline or if your school’s calendar does not align with these deadlines, please email ScholarshipsDept@muckleshoot.nsn.us to arrange a time to apply.

All New and Continuing degree students will use the Online Portal to submit applications every Semester/Quarter/Term.

Scholarship Portal Account Guide

Here is a how to guide on setting up your portal account. If you need assistance resetting an account contact ScholarshipsDept@Muckleshoot.nsn.us

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Application Requirements

• You must be an enrolled member of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.
• You must have a high school diploma or GED.
• First-Time Applicants: Bring your diploma to the Scholarship Program Offices located at the Muckleshoot Tribal College. Out of State students may email a copy to us.
• You must be accepted into a regionally accredited college.
• You must complete the Online Application. No paper applications will be accepted.

Please note: You will need to submit your online application 1 month prior to the start date of the quarter/semester for which you are applying to receive financial aid.

Application Process

The Higher Education Scholarship Application is now online at memberportal.muckleshoot.nsn.us.

Please note: Completed applications take 10 business days to process.

1. Complete the Following Forms

Only complete the top half of this form and upload it. Bring the original to your school’s Financial Aid Office to complete this form. The Scholarship Program will also contact your school’s Financial Aid Office about the form. Your application will not go to the Education Committee until your school completes your Financial Needs Analysis.‍‍‍

• ‍FERPA Student Release of Information‍
• Financial Needs Analysis‍

2. Collect the Following Documents:

A. Documents you can obtain on your own:

• Copy of your State ID
• Copy of your Tribal ID or Enrollment Verification/CDIB
• FAFSA Completion Confirmation: A Copy of the email or page saying “Congratulations, you have completed your FAFSA” is acceptable. If you cannot find this, submit your Student Aid Report (SAR).

B. Documents you will obtain from your school’s website/student portal or work with staff at your school to get:

• Class Schedule‍
• Degree Plan/Course of Study‍
• Grades from the previous term to determine eligibility: First-time students should submit an Acceptance Letter. If you are unable to submit your grades at this time, you can submit them at a later date by email to ScholarshipsDept@Muckleshoot.nsn.us.
• FERPA Release of Information from your school: Please obtain and complete a FERPA release form from you school and authorize your school to release information to the Scholarship Program—submit a copy with your application and turn the original into your school. This will allow your school to communicate with us and share documents or information with us to process your scholarship payments and determine your academic status.

3. Complete the Online Application

Scholarship Orientation

The new Scholarship Policies require each student to attend Scholarship Orientation once per academic year before receiving funding.

Orientation Dates TBD

• Fall 2024 Day 1: August 23 - 2:00PM @ Tribal College
• Fall 2024 Day 2: September 13 - 4:00PM @ Tribal College

(Zoom Links will be emailed out)

Vocational & Non-Vocational Certificates

A variety of Vocational and Non-Vocational Certifications are funded by Muckleshoot Scholarship. This may include tuition, books, and living expenses. To find out if a certification program you are interested in is covered by Muckleshoot Scholarship call us, email us, or drop by our offices.

GED Assistance

Tribal members who wish to study for and receive a General Education Diploma (GED) may receive financial support from the Scholarship Program. Tribal members who are enrolled in a GED certification program may receive support until they receive their GED.

Application Requirements:

• Muckleshoot Tribe enrollment verification
• Must be 19 years old
• Cover Letter stating educational goals
• GED Student Agreement form from the Muckleshoot Tribal College or a letter from a GED Preparation Institute
• Proof of Registration
• Proof of completed Pre-Test

To learn more about support for GED work, please contact the Scholarship Program at (253) 876-3378 or ScholarshipsDept@Muckleshoot.nsn.us.

Please note: You are required to present your Tribal/ State ID in order to pick up a funding check. Applications, paperwork, funding, etc. take 10 BUSINESS DAYS to process!

Workshops & Training

The Workshops & Training Program funds enrolled Tribal members to attend workshops, conferences, or trainings outside of the Reservation for personal and educational improvement and growth.

Tribal members who wish to attend training sessions or workshops can apply for up to $1,800 once every 2 years (January 1-December 31). Workshop funds registration fees, airfare and other transportation expenses, hotel, and per diem.

Application Requirements:

• Completed Application
• Statement of Reason Letter
• Muckleshoot Enrollment Verification completed by an Enrollment Officer
• Hotel Reservation Confirmation (Billing Statement) Please note that most hotels require you to have a debit card or credit card to make a reservation.
• Proof of Workshop/Training/Conference Registration
• Letter from Official/Counselor/Instructor (Only if you are attending for part of a group or program) This should explain your involvement with the program and length of involvement.
• State ID

Please note: You are required to present your Tribal/ State ID in order to pick up a funding check. All applications must be submitted no sooner than 45 days and no later than 30 days prior to the workshop, training, or conference that you plan to attend. Applications, paperwork, funding, etc. take 10 BUSINESS DAYS to process!

For questions or for assistance with an application, contact Laurie Starr-Williams at (253) 876-3381, Laurie.Williams@Muckleshoot.nsn.us or Workshops&Training@Muckleshoot.nsn.us .

Transitional Services

All Tribal members should have the opportunity to achieve their educational goals regardless of disabilities. The Developmental Disabilities program provides assistance to Muckleshoot Tribal members with disabilities that impact their life activities and educational progress.

In the past, the Developmental Disabilities program funded:

• Diagnosis of Developmental or Learning Disabilities
• Educational Testing and Evaluations
• Specialized Tutoring

Please note: You are required to present your Tribal/ State ID in order to pick up a funding check. Applications, paperwork, funding, etc. take 10 BUSINESS DAYS to process!

For any questions or to obtain an application, please contact the Scholarship Program at (253) 876-3378 or ScholarshipsDept@Muckleshoot.nsn.us .

Private School Assistance Program (PSAP)

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe believes that each early learner and school age Muckleshoot Tribal Member should have the opportunity and support from the Tribe to achieve his or her educational goals. The Tribe views education as an important step in a Muckleshoot Tribal Member’s life and the option to invest in private school education will not only benefit the individual tribal member but also the future of the tribal community.

The Private School Assistance Program, PSAP is for 18 months to 12th grade enrolled Muckleshoot Tribal Members.  

It’s that time of year again! Many schools will be renewing 2023-2024 private school applications very soon. Please note, we also need an acceptance letter or a re-enrollment document from the school that notes your child’s grade on it in order for the application to be complete. We cannot process any deposits, fees, etc. until we have a complete application on file.

Applications must be submitted no less than 45 days prior to private school deadline for every academic school year.

Please email ScholarshipsDept@Muckleshoot.nsn.us to apply.