EDUCATION
OUR MISSION
We’re here to give community members the opportunity to capture their dreams and goals and guide them on a path that will establish their foundations to become leaders amongst their peers. Our purpose is to give students the best opportunity to thrive and succeed in life. We’re committing ourselves in providing guidance, encouragement, and confidence that will empower students to successfully attain their greatest potential in academics.
ABOUT US
Coyote Valley Education Department offers multiple programs to Tribal Members from Kindergarten to Collegiate students. Programs are funded through Federal Award funds and Tribal distribution. Students can receive assistance in academic tutoring support, receiving student aid for undergraduate programs, finding scholarships, support in joining vocational training/trade institute, and establish Individual Education Plans that will guide Tribal Members through their educational careers. Many of these supports are offered year-round to all students.
OUR SERVICES

STUDENT AID
Students pursuing undergraduate degrees or vocational careers have the opportunity to receive student aid through their Tribe. Student aid will assist in paying tuition costs, textbooks & school supplies, room & board, and transportation fees. Funding for this assistance comes from tribal funds and BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) Federal Department. Funding availability varies year to year as Tribal revenue and Federal Government budgets fluctuate. Aid is available for all institute grading term systems: trimester, semester, quarter, module, and skill trade fees (vocational). Students must enroll in one of the grading terms mentioned above to be recognized as students receiving student aid through the Tribe. The application can be found on the website under “Student Aid” or PDF copies can be emailed to you directly.

TUTORING SERVICES
Tutoring services are available at the education centers five days a week; Monday – Friday, 2:30 pm – 7:00 pm. These services are offered to any Tribal Member pursuing their academics in Elementary, Jr. High, High School, and College. Students needing one on one support in tutoring may be requested. Time slots for private sessions are conducted during the evenings. Children between grades K – 12 can receive tutoring after school with access to libraries, computer stations, textbooks, internet, and workstations. Please contact the EDU office if you have any questions regarding tutoring services.

SFSP
Food Program Children 17 years and younger are eligible to receive portion snacks during the academic school year & portion lunch during summer breaks through the California Department of Education food program. Each meal is portioned to give children the necessary nutrients needed daily. Snacks are mandatory to offer at least two out of the five food groups & three out of the five food groups for lunch meals. Meals are cycled every fifth teen days giving children a variant of options each week. Menus are created by community, staff and children’s input. As seasons change throughout the year so does menu production. Meals offer during winter & fall focus on hot components as spring & summer focus on cold components making food consumption more pleasing to children.

ACTIVITIES & FIELD TRIPS
Activities are done daily in the EDU centers & gymnasium once children have completed their academic assignments. Each week is focused on particular themes that engage children in arts n crafts, painting, drawing, building, music, and other creative/artistic skills. The majority of these themes/activities are created by children’s input & ideas that is expressed to staff. Children interested in recreational activity have the chance to do physical sports activity in the gymnasium with staff. Children have many options to choose from to keep them engaged and learn different types of skills at the same time. The majority of these trips are done when children are on school/holiday breaks giving them the opportunity to attend these functions without interfering with schooling. Some trips involve long-distance traveling & overnight staying.
BIA - Higher Education Grant Application Requirments
Students should make application for admittance to an accredited college or university while applying for grant assistance. Students are to be directed to the Financial Aid Officer of the college they plan to attend or are attending to have their financial need evaluated. A student should request that an official financial needs analysis be forwarded by the Financial Aid Officer to the Coyote Valley Tribal Education Department. This analysis will include all sources of financial assistance, which are to be applied toward meeting the student’s total needs. The Tribal
Education Director will review the official analysis and base the amount to be granted on the established need, and on the amount of available funds.
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Must be a member of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians -
Must be accepted for admission to a nationally accredited institution of higher education, which provides a course of study conferring the Associate of Arts or Bachelor’s degree -
Must demonstrate financial need
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The college or university a student elects to attend must be accredited by a nationally accredited agency or be an institution whose credits are accepted on transfer by not fewer than three institutions that are accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
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Students must have completed grant application to be considered for the semester/quarter. After all application documents are submitted, an acknowledgement letter will be mailed to the student notifying them if their application was completed or incomplete. A complete application package must include: -
Coyote Valley’s BIA Higher Education Grant Application -
Tribal Enrollment Certification -
High School Transcript, GED -
Financial Needs Analysis (Student Budget) -
Current College Transcripts
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Application not submitted in a timely manner -
Incomplete application -
Must demonstrate financial needStudent not an enrolled member of the Coyote Valley band of Pomo Indians -
Student not attending school, dropped out, or did not register -
Student in default with school financial aid or Coyote Valley BIA Higher Ed. Program
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Awards will be made on a semester or quarter basis. Once an award has been determined, an award letter will be sent to the students and the financial aid office notifying them of the award amount and semester funded.
Conditions for Continuation of Grant:
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Students receiving grants must maintain acceptable academic standing at college or the university; maintain social conduct within the policies and rules of the institution attended, demonstrate satisfactory progress toward degree requirements, submit a written request (application) in advance for the next year’s scholarship in a timely manner and successfully complete the school year or grant period specified by the college. Grade reports of each student are to be reviewed at the end of each semester or quarter. Students earning less than a “C” average grade (GPA 2.0) may be continued on a probationary grant, providing the college recommends their continuance. The recipient shall agree to the following conditions set forth by signing and dating the application form. -
Grantee shall submit a new application each academic year. -
Grantee shall submit their transcripts of the last semester/quarter attended. -
Grantee shall be responsible for keeping the Coyote Valley Education Office informed of his/her status once he/she has entered college. A change of address, change of income, intent to transfer to another institution and academic progress shall be made known as soon as possible to the Education Director. All changes must be made in writing for documentations. -
A new budget (Financial Needs Analysis) must be submitted every academic year.
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Student’s GPA falls below the minimum 2.0 requirement -
Student is not enrolled full-time (minimum 12 class units) or taking less than the full time unit requirement for the institution attending.
BIA Current Award Levels
All awards are based on the availability of funds, eligibility criteria, and student need. Scholarships awards are administered on a first come, first served basis.
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Part–time: Students in good standing enrolled in less than 12 units of study at an accredited post-secondary institution -
Full–time: Students in good standing in 12 or more unites of study at an accredited post-secondary institution -
Resident Students: Living at home while attending school -
Non–resident students: Living away from home to attend school -
Scholarship probation: Students who have received funding to attend school who did not complete their classes, or whose grade point average falls below 2.0. Students will be placed on probation for the semester of enrollment following being placed on scholarship probation. While on scholarship probation, if the student does not successfully complete classes, or fails to improve GPA (Grade Point Average), that student will be ineligible for future funding. A Tribal member who has lost his/her scholarship eligibility may appeal to Tribal Council to show cause for being reinstated for funding.
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Community College Level: Up to $750 per semester to cover the costs of registration, books, supplies necessary for classes.
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State College/University level: Up to $1,000 per semester to cover the costs of registration, books, supplies necessary for classes.
Full–time non–resident students:
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Community College Level: Up to $1,000 per semester to cover the costs of registration, books, supplies necessary for classes and living expenses. -
State College/University level: Up to $1,500 per semester to cover the costs of registration, books, supplies necessary for classes and living expenses.
BIA - Adult Vocational Training Grant Application 2015
Eligibility Definitions
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Part time: Students in good standing enrolled in less than 12 units of study at an accredited training program leading towards a certificate to become employed in a vocational field. -
Full time: Students in good standing enrolled in 12 or more units of study at an accredited training program leading towards a certificate to become employed in a vocational field -
Resident Students: Living at home while attending school -
Non-resident students: Living away from home to attend school -
Adult vocational training (AVT) grant probation: Students who have received funding to attend school who did not complete their classes, or whose grade point average falls below 2.0. Students will be placed on probation for the semester of enrollment following being placed on adult vocational training grant probation. While on AVT grant probation, if the student does not successfully complete classes, or fails to improve GPA, that student will be ineligible for future funding. A Tribal member who has lost his/her AVT grant eligibility may appeal to Tribal Council to show cause for being re-instated for funding.
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Part time students: Up to $500 per semester to cover the costs of tuition, books, supplies necessary for classes. -
Full time resident students (living at home): Up to $1000 per semester to cover the costs of tuition, books, supplies necessary for classes. -
Full time non-resident students (living away from home): Up to $1,500 per semester to cover the costs of tuition, books, supplies and living expenses.
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Letter in writing stating why you need the grant, and how it will be used; -
Certification of Tribal Enrollment in the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians -
Copy of letter of admission from vocational technical school, with certification from school -
that you are enrolled as a full-time student; -
Transcript from last school attended, or verification of G.E.D.; -
Verification that APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID has been completed.
If you do not complete this Application for Federal Student Aid, you are not eligible for this grant program. The Vocational/Technical School you will be attending must submit a Financial Needs Analysis to this office, showing the cost of schooling (tuition, books, fees, supplies), and what other financial aid you will be receiving (PELL grant, student loans, scholarships, etc.)
Student Recognition Award Application
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4.0 GPA or higher $400 award -
3.0 – 3.99 GPA $200 award -
Perfect attendance $100 award -
Student of the Month $50 award
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High School Graduate $500 award -
Graduation with an AA Degree $1,000 award -
Graduation with a Bachelor’s Degree $2,000 award -
Graduation with a Master’s or a Doctorate’s Degree $4,000 award
Other Scholarship Resources
The American Indian Graduate Center
Other College Resources
FAFSA Federal Student Aid