Huchoosedah - Title VII Enrollment
Enrolling in the Title VII Program
Federal funding consistently flows to tribal reservations to support Native student education. BUT, this is not the case for urban Native educational support programs. In order for us to receive funding here in Seattle for our students, a Title VII Student Eligibility or “506” form must be completed for each student who is a United States tribally enrolled member, OR a son/daughter OR grandchild of a United States tribally enrolled member. You can download a copy from this page on the right.
Historically, this opportunity for non-reservation funding had it’s roots in what is known as the Kennedy Report of 1969, "Indian Education: A National Tragedy - A National Challenge", which focused national attention on the educational situation of American Indian and Alaska Native students. Shortly thereafter, the Indian Education Formula Grant program was authorized in 1972 with the passing of the Indian Education Act. This allows Seattle Public Schools on an annual basis to apply for federal funding to support Native education.
The more students we submit for this count, the more funds the district will be budgeted by the Office of Indian Education to create programming to meet the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students in our district.
Upon submitting a count of these 506 forms each year, a budget is calculated. The Title VII Parent Advisory Committee then assists Seattle Public Schools in developing next year’s programming and hiring of staff.
In order to pass federal and state audit, the form must be completely filled out by parent/guardian. Your school secretary was sent a list of tribal addresses from our office, you MUST enter that information for the tribal enrollment you claim for your child. You can also download this list from this page on the right to find your tribal address.
If you know that you have already submitted this form, THANK YOU for supporting funding for Native students in Seattle Public Schools. Your form is valid for the rest of your student’s education in Seattle Public Schools.
You can return the completed form to your child’s school office. Ask them send it intra-district mail to, Arlie Neskahi, Native Education Program Manager, JSCEE, MS 31-529.
If you would like a form sent to you, email or call the Huchoosedah office at 206-252-0948 to ask for a copy. We will be happy to answer any questions you have about the program. We can then mail you a "ED506" form for you to complete and return.
This form is required federal grant documentation of eligibility for services. It asks for tribal membership verification, "...federally recognized (including Alaska Native); state recognized; terminated; or an organized Indian group that meets the legislative definition on the form." (OIE, FAQ, 2009). See the more detailed definitions below.
Tribal membership can be for any of the following;
- Student
- Parent
- Grandparent
Office of Indian Education Definitions: These are from the Dept of Educ Formula Grant EASIE FAQs February 2009.
Federally recognized tribes are limited to those indigenous to the U.S. A list of federally recognized tribes can be obtained through the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department of Interior. [Canadian Indians are generally not eligible to be counted unless a northern border state recognizes the tribe.]
The Web is a source of lists for state-recognized tribes. The U.S. Department of Education does not maintain a master list. Use official state Web sites only—the informal term “non-federally recognized” does not imply state-recognized. Tribes pursuing recognized status are not included.
Terminated tribes are those that once had a federally recognized status from the U.S. Department of the Interior and had that designation terminated. Some terminations were state-specific, so contact your state to check specific status.
Other organized Indian group represents those that received a grant under the Indian Education Act of 1988 as it was in effect October 19, 1994.