In lieu of the issues surrounding our Education Department, What are some of the suggestions you would have for improving the current system?
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In lieu of the issues surrounding our Education Department, What are some of the suggestions you would have for improving the current system?
I would like to see the funding at the graduate level increased. I am grateful for the $3500 I recevied, but for people who are in any kind of professional school such as law, medicine or masters programs, $3500 is just a drop in the bucket.
I know of many tribes that have their graduate students funded in full, and many requiring the individual to have to work for the tribe for so many years once they are done with their schooling. This makes perfect sense, for one, it would decrease the “brain drain” that many tribes and reservations are experiencing, the tribes would now have the graduates using their degrees to help their people, plus it would also help the individual student by allowing them to graduate debt free, a big help considering many graduate students graduate with debt into the 6 figures.
It would also give many students who have never really been around the reservation an exposure to the actual reservation and to work and communicate with their fellow tribal brethren. I really see no downsides for the tribe to do this.
The BIA and other government entities have a program sort of like this, they give students $10,000 or $15,000 dollars each semester and the student has to sign a contract saying they will work for 2 to 3 years after graduating. I heard that the tribe did fund one student who got their P.h.D but the student then did not want to work for the tribe so the idea was scrapped.
I encountered a new problem with my school this year. Apparently I have never before in my 4 years of college education reached the full amount that the school determines is my financial need. This spring I received all my funding from various sources and last week I got a letter in the mail from OU stating that I owe over $1500 on my bursar account. I was unaware; but the estimated need that the school comes up with can not be exceeded. Now this would not have been an issue, however, OU’s financial aid office entered amounts into my profile incorrectly and when they found the error last week it had caused my monies received to exceed what they believe to be my actual need. Basically, they took back the money from SEOG and OTAG that was already applied to my bursar bill. Unfortunately, I use all my educational income to pay on my bills in advance. All the money I received from the government, the tribe and other scholarships has been used.
My suggestion would be, if any, that the tribe send the scholarship funds directly to individuals making them responsible for that money and then students would be able to recieve the full amount of federal government aid to apply towards financial needs.
I certainly agree with my brother Joe and would love to see the Tribe throw more money at the grad school students, for one these students have already proven their worth and are not going to spend the money irresponsibly. And also when you take into account that Grad School is way more expensive, this extra money would be beneficial to the student’s success. A lot of other Tribe’s with less resources than we do give their students almost $10,000 a semester to attend Grad school, the student has to sign a contract and work for the Tribe for two or three years upon completion of their degree. I think the Osage Tribe should do this. The only argument against it is,”Well are there going to be enough jobs for people that are highly educated?” I’m not sure if there is an answer to that, we will just have to wait and see.
An important function of government is to develop and provide education for its citizens. “Knowledge is power.” I am in full support of educational assistance programs for Osage students, regardless of age.
Educational needs of students vary. Some students desire vocational education while others may choose to pursue a degree from a college or a university. The goal is to promote education.
Financial support for our students should be available regardless of what accredited institution a student decides to attend. Education costs vary from student to student and from school to school. Investing in our students is an investment in the future of our Nation and the quality of life for our citizens.
Our Osage people are strong and resilient. History has shown this. Education makes us stronger. An educated person brings tools that enable our Nation to grow and develop. Creating a mechanism that supports our students and encourages service back to the Tribe upon their graduation, provides all involved parties with a viable and achievable opportunity. We must look to the future and create a government that finds solutions and seeks the input of their constituents. We must strive for a government that empowers and helps all Osages realize their full potential.
For additional information please visit http://www.Osagevision.org
I agree with what Joe K has suggested. I we really want our people to come home we need to give the a reason. Joe suggest a very good way to get our people to move home and help their people. We have many students that could bring a lot back. I think we should seriously consider providing more financing to the students and have them come home and use what they received in advancing our Nation. Not only will the get their education paid for but look at the experience they will get.
$3,500?!?! You know what I got for going to law school? Zero dollars. You know what I got for undergraduate? $250. For just two years.
Don’t get me wrong; I was thankful for every bit I could get. What I didn’t get in money, I got in mentoring. There were (and are) Osages, both attorneys and non-attorneys, who inspired my education and who were (and are) always willing to provide advice, consolation, encouragement and maybe a slap upside the head when I got ahead of myself, which I often did (do).
So let me say this: What you have now is better than what you had a paltry [mumbles] years ago when I was going to college and, later, law school. Progress is good. Things could definitely be better, but find comfort, however small, that the Tribe is moving forward. Its pace will always be up for debate, I’m sure.
That said….we’ve got at least two distinct challenges: (1) the perception of education; and (2) opportunity post-degree.
Education has always been viewed as a double-edged sword by tribal communities. At best, it’s a valuable tool to assist our always-developing governments. At worst, it’s a threat. “Oh, I guess you think you’re SOOO smart, mister ‘I have a degree in [whatever].” “We don’t need your education here to tell us how to do things.”
And when you’re standing under the Arbor and being told that your education has no place there…it makes you wonder, “Why am I doing this again?” (I get it; under the Arbor we’re all the same. The best part of that day was my aunt elbowing her way between a friend and me saying, “Outta my way, you two educated people,” as she laughed past us. I could not live without Osage humor.)
I can say from personal experience that tribal opportunities for those who leave to get their education are few and far between. They are fewer and far-betweener depending on who you are. Plus, if you fall into an environment where the double-edged sword decides you’re a threat, your opportunities are very slim.
Of course, swaggering in thinking, “Look at my degree. I’m the smartest now,” doesn’t help at all. Neither does swooping in with your cape shouting, “I’m gonna save this tribe! Charge!” Swooping is bad. Again, speaking from experience.
So, two challenges: Perception and opportunity.
No, three challenges: …and funding. Funding will always be a challenge.
Okay, FOUR challenges: Purpose.
I once worked in the Higher Education Dept. (as it was called then) and fielded one phone call after another from people who just wanted the scholarship money. One caller didn’t even know where we were located. Well, buh.
What is the purpose in facilitating education? There has to be a larger goal in mind for the Tribe; one that goes beyond the acts of cutting a check and hoping for the best.
Facilitating education (whether through scholarships, counseling or other services) is an investment. I think Joe’s comment is right on; internships, externships, public service–whatever you want to call it are viable options. Let the Tribe benefit from its investment; let the people benefit from it. You still have to deal with the other challenges, but bringing our students back, even if for a short period, might give some focus to the big picture.
And for the recipient? The knowledge and experience gained by working for a tribal community—your tribal community—is something that you will take with you wherever you go. It’s not easy, but it’s as meaningful and rewarding as you make it, which is pretty much how life works anyway. Between you, me, and the interwebs, the degree just might be the easy part, especially if the Tribe helps along the way.
I definately agree with Joe Keene on his issue with amount for the graduate being the same as what an undergraduate receives. I will be a graduate student next spring and now Im thinking, “wow, I would have been happy to have had less for my undergraduate if I could have more for my future graduate studies.” I never thought of it until now but the structure makes no sense as it is now. Reguardless, it is better than nothing and I will gladley accept any monies for my continuing education. And if a contract was offered to me to receive this money in lieu of a job with the tribe I would sign that in a second.
The comment Meredith made about the caller who didn’t even know where the Education Department was located brings up another idea I have for our Scholarship dispersments. I think it is absolutely ludicrous to be giving money to people who are not affiliated with our people at all. I think that all scholarship applicants should have to apply and be awarded if they meet certain requirements, such as COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT! I know for a fact that there are people who receive this money and have never, nor will ever have anything to do with our people. Yes many will take the money and never end up working for the tribe but they will have an education and be able to bring that back to the community and thier scholarly salaries to participate in tribal functions and organizations.
I also beleive that our language department is vital! I wish more people would get involved and I thought of one way: by force. How about in order to receive the scholarship money you have to take these language classes. Im sure many would hate that idea and argue against it in all variations of ways but I just had to throw that out there.
I just think it is all too easy right now. It doesn’t makes sense that most students are getting something spectacular for nothing.
I just read these thoughtful posts and am encouraged the legislation I intend to introduce tomorrow forming a Higher Education Task Force is a good vehicle to discuss these ideas and get concrete recommendations regarding scholarships to the Executive Branch for implementation.
I was the one who initially proposed dramatic increases in scholarship amounts for tuition and fees. I understood from the Education Department the increase would be incorporated into the existing system, which consisted of a base award paid to the schools for incurred tuition and fees, and additional smaller incentive awards paid directly to the students depending on grades,community service and leadership. My goal was to allow students the opportunity to attend to public in-state Universities or cost equivalent out-of-state schools as well as lower cost colleges and Universities tuition free. The amount appropriated by the Congress initially was based on an estimate of the cost if such tuition was covered.
I did not propose a per enrolled student scholarship per cap with no established criteria for receiving a scholarship – but apparently that is the direction the Education Department has steered over the last year.
If the legislation passes, I encourage you all to let the Chief know your interest in serving on the task force to address these important issues.
Regards, Shannon Edwards
A College Co-op program: cooperative education programs equip college students with valuable real-world experience preparing them for today`s competitive job market. Just require it to get scholarship money. Oldest son did it starting sophomore year out of Georgia Tech, started a co-op with NASA at 18 years old, been with them now 32 years. Maybe I can post this?
The grade incentive is a good idea but the formula should be altered for graduate students. I made it through my undergraduate work with straight A’s and was so happy to get the best incentives because of it. However, I lost that incentive money when my grades consisted of A’s and B’s during my graduate work.The level of difficulty is definately raised in graduate school and A’s and B’s are hard-won. The incentive award formula should take into account that graduate work is going above and beyond the bachelor’s degree and should be rewarded as such.