Native American students no longer have to pay tuition at UC schools

by David Schakarov

The University of California (UC) school system has implemented a program that alleviates tuition and fees, according to The Chronicle. The program, which begins this fall, will be eligible for any in-state students representing federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes. 

The program will apply immediately to 500 undergraduate students and 160 graduate students that are currently enrolled. It will provide about $14,000 a year to each student. 

While the program is a step in the right direction for Native American equity, it still does not benefit students from federally unrecognized tribes. In response, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, one of California’s largest recognized tribes, created a $2.5 million scholarship fund to cover tuition and fees for the in-state students that are members of unrecognized tribes.

With any luck, California’s new program will lead the way for other states to follow suit, ensuring Native American students have equal opportunity to thrive.