Native american students can attend kansas universities more affordably
Certain Native American students attending university in Kansas may qualify to receive residency status in order to pay tuition at the same rate as in-state students. Osage Citizen and Assistant Professor Alex Red Corn, Ed.D. provided the following information regarding the provision, which is entering Year Two:
“The 2024 Kansas Legislature has enacted a provision to allow certain students enrolling at a public institution of higher education in Kansas to have residency status for the sole purpose of paying tuition. The provision does not make students eligible for financial aid programs directed to Kansas resident students. This provision will be in place from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 with anticipated annual renewal through the Legislature. It is found in Section 116(f) of 2024 Senate Bill 28.”
Red Corn notes that “the language was adjusted this year to address more of the complexities found when considering historical divisions of Native Nations that occurred over time.“
With the assistance of Elaine Frisbie at the Kansas Board of Regents, the language has been updated to specify that “The following recognized Indigenous Nations with historical connections to Kansas Territories with one or more of the following references within the tribes name” can qualify.
In other words, if the name of a listed tribe is found anywhere in the tribal identification documentation (e.g. Shawnee being found in the Shawnee Tribe, Eastern Shawnee, Absentee Shawnee, etc.), then that student qualifies.
Red Corn also notes that this provision is still new and the list may develop and expand over time. If you are a Native Nation with historic ties to the Kansas land base, please contact Elaine Frisbie with the Kansas Board of Regents with your information and accompanying documentation articulating your Nation’s history in Kansas by email at efrisbie@ksbor.org.
Download the handout for the full list of tribes being recognized for this provision.