Higher Education/Adult Vocational Training/Direct Employment Assistance
The Higher Education office provides many opportunities for Tribal Members to fund their higher education goals or training needs. Each program has guidelines and requirements that have to be met in order to qualify but we can work with everyone to get you to your goals with as much help as possible. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like more information regarding the programs.
Higher EducationBONUS DEADLINE: JUNE 1 every year!
The Higher Education Program provides scholarship grants for Alaska Native and American Indian students who are members of OVK, served by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, who are enrolled in a degree-granting program of an accredited college or university, and have definite financial need after other sources of funds are applied. Students will be served based on enrollment and not on residency. Full time students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and carry 12 credits and part-time students must carry 6 credits and graduate students 9 credits. Any student that drops below the 2.0 GPA will receive an academic warning and if he/she receives another lower GPA a second time will not be funded again. If he/she wants to apply for another scholarship grant then he/she must receive a 2.0 GPA for one semester paid for by student then he/she may apply to receive a scholarship grant again. |
The objective of vocational training is to assist those applicants who are unemployed or underemployed, and need a skill to obtain reasonable and satisfactory employment, to acquire necessary skills. This training is preparation for employment which is the goal, training is not the ultimate goal. This training must be provided by a recognized national accredited association or is approved for training by a state or federal agency authorized to make such approvals. Maximum length of training shall not be longer than 24 months with the exception of Registered Nurses, which shall not exceed 36 months. Instead of training apprenticeship training that leads to employment, on-the-job training that leads to employment, or training courses developed specifically by the tribal government. A repeat service can be awarded if the training is to enhance the employability of the member in the same training as before and if funding is available. This training is available to the OVK membership with a permanent address in Kake and lives in Kake. An OVK member cannot live in another community and be eligible for this service thru OVK. |
Direct Employment Assistance |
This program assists those eligible who voluntarily seek employment with the objectives of enabling such persons to become self-sufficient or self-supporting. The assistance can include:
- transportation to the job site, subsistence funds en route,
- a living stipend (not to exceed one month) pending receipt of the first full paycheck, funds for special clothing or tools if needed,
- pre-departure counseling,
- referral services at the job site.
NOTE: No more than 2 funded repeat services for a client shall be allowed. Exceptions may be made if additional funded services not provided would create extreme hardship on the client.
We cannot provide assistance for temporary employment except in the following cases: High school/college students who are at least 17 years of age participating in a summer placement program to gain work experience and temporary income and this also includes special summer youth employment programs under the auspices of a state or federal agency.