• How many awards has TCF distributed to Original Enrollees of CIRI and their direct lineal descendants for post-secondary education?

• I’m Alaska Native.  Am I eligible to receive TCF scholarships or grants?

• I’m a CIRI shareholder.  Am I eligible to receive TCF scholarships or grants?

• Can TCF help me earn my high school diploma or GED?

• Does TCF require my Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB/CDIB) or CIRI shareholder stock certificate/shareholder ID card to prove eligibility?

• How does TCF verify applicant eligibility?

• I missed the application deadline for a scholarship or grant – can I still apply?

• What is the difference between a scholarship and a grant?

• How do I apply for one of the higher Annual Special Excellence, Excellence, or Achievement Awards?

• Does my application and necessary documentation need to be submitted by the application deadline?

• Can my parent, spouse, or school check on the status of my application?

• If I am awarded a scholarship or grant and cannot complete the courses/credits, what should I do?

• Is my scholarship or grant taxable income that should be reported on my tax return? 

• Can I use TCF Scholarships and Grants for living or daycare expenses? 

• Do I have to re-apply at each application deadline?

• Does TCF provide business loans or grants?

• What is the Federal ID (tax) or Employer Identification number for TCF?

• What is a Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

• What is a Grade Point Average (GPA)?
  

How many awards has TCF distributed to Original Enrollees of CIRI and their direct lineal descendants for post-secondary education?

• Since 1983, TCF has approved more than 12,850 individual awards totaling $23 million.
• The TCF Education and Heritage Project Grant Program has awarded more than $2.5 million since 1987 for 275 project grants.
  

I’m Alaska Native. Am I eligible to receive TCF scholarships or grants?

• Alaska Native students who are eligible for The CIRI Foundation Scholarship and Grant program are either original enrollees of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) or direct lineal descendants of an original enrollee of CIRI.
• Original enrollees are Alaska Natives who originally enrolled to an ANCSA regional or village corporation in 1971.
• Direct Lineal descendants are the natural or legally adopted children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. of an original enrollee who enrolled to an ANCSA regional or village corporation in 1971. Brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, or cousins are not direct lineal descendants.
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I’m a CIRI shareholder. Am I eligible to receive TCF scholarships or grants?

• Not necessarily. CIRI shareholders who are also original enrollees or direct lineal descendants of an original enrollee are eligible. Inherited or gifted shares do not qualify as original enrollment. If you are unsure about your CIRI shareholder status, contact the CIRI Shareholder Relations Department at (907) 274-8638 or toll-free at (800) 764-2474.
  
  

Can TCF help me earn my high school diploma or GED??

• No, TCF provides funding for post-secondary education. Applicants must have earned a high school diploma or GED to be eligible. If you need assistance earning your GED, you are encouraged to contact Cook Inlet Tribal Council - Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) Program at (907) 793-3300.
  

Does TCF require my Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB/CDIB) or CIRI shareholder stock certificate/shareholder ID card to prove eligibility?

• No, The CIRI Foundation does not require a CIB/CDIB or CIRI shareholder stock certificate or ID card.
  
  

How does TCF verify applicant eligibility?

• Eligiblity of original enrollees is verified by The CIRI Foundation through CIRI using information on your application. No additional documents are required.
• Eligibility of direct lineal descendants is verified through birth certificate(s) which should connect applicants to the original enrollee of CIRI. More than one birth certificate may be necessary. Additional documentation such as marriage certificates, may be required to document lineage and/or legal name changes.
  
  

I missed the application deadline for a scholarship or grant – can I still apply?

• No, late applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
  
  

What is the difference between a scholarship and a grant?

• General Scholarship Awards are for students enrolled full-time or part-timein a degree program at an accredited school or university. Full-time enrollment is considered 12 credits or more per semester/term/quarter for undergraduate students and 9 credits or more per semester/term/quarter for graduate students. Part-time enrollment is 11 credits or fewer for undergraduate or 8 credits or fewer for graduate.
• Vocational Training Grants are for students enrolled part-time or full-time in a vocational technical skills program for which a certificate of completion is issued.

Please refer to the Scholarship and Grant Program Descriptions of the application for additional details regarding different scholarships and grants offered by The CIRI Foundation.
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How do I apply for one of the higher Annual Special Excellence, Excellence, or Achievement Awards?

• You cannot apply, specifically, for the higher Merit-based Annual Scholarship awards. Applicants meeting the criteria for the merit-based awards are automatically considered, but the annual awards are determined through a competitive process. Annual scholarships are only awarded at the June 1 deadline. Students are scored on the followed criteria:
  

• When reviewing applications for the more competitive, annual scholarship awards, the Statement of Purpose and level of community service/civic activities is many times the determining factor. Clearly articulated education and career goals are important, as well how your educational goals relate to giving back to the community.
  
  

Does my application and necessary documentation need to be submitted by the application deadline?

• Your application must be submitted to The CIRI Foundation by the deadline whether it is complete or incomplete. Once an application is received, it is reviewed and the applicant receives an acknowledgement email noting if it is complete or incomplete. Additional time to submit requested information is granted; however, applicants are encouraged to submit all requested information in a timely manner and by the stated deadlines.
  
  

Can my parent, spouse, or school check on the status of my application?

• The CIRI Foundation will not release information from an applicant’s file to a third party without written permission from the applicant. If an applicant wants to allow named persons or organizations to be able to check the status of his or her file, then he or she must submit a Release of Contact Information form for each application submitted. This form can be printed from The Foundation’s website or it can be faxed or mailed to the applicant upon request.
  
  

If I am awarded a scholarship or grant and cannot complete the courses/credits/ program, what should I do?

• Per The CIRI Foundation Probation/Infraction Provision Policy, General Scholarship recipients who do not maintain both requirements during the academic term may be in a probation / infraction situation.  The first time a student does not maintain the requirements for good standing; they will be placed on probation.  Students on probation are eligible to receive one (1) term of scholarship funding.  During the probationary term, a student has the opportunity to improve their academic performance to reinstate their eligibility for funding.  Scholarship and grant recipients have one (1) opportunity for probation.

   

  A student who does not successfully maintain the eligibility requirements at the end of the probationary period will be in an Infraction Status.  Students on Infraction Status are ineligible to receive funding for one (1) application deadline, from the date of determination made by TCF. Send TCF written notification of any changes in enrollment immediately.
  

Is my scholarship or grant taxable income that should be reported on my tax return?

• Under provisions of the 1986 Tax Reform Act, any portion of a scholarship or grant that you receive from The CIRI Foundation that is applied toward room and board, travel and other personal expenses is taxable. It is the student's responsibility to determine what part, if any, of the award is taxable and to report such amounts on your personal income tax return. The portion of your scholarship or grant award applied toward tuition, registration fees, books, supplies, and other fees related to the course/s of study continues to be excluded from federal taxable income. For more informaion, visit the IRS website.
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Can I use TCF Scholarships and Grants for living or daycare expenses?

• Scholarships and grants can be used toward direct education expenses that include tuition, registration fees, on-campus housing/meals, books, supplies and up to $500 toward personal expenses after all other education expenses are covered.  Full-year general scholarship recipients can use up to $1,000 for personal expense per award and Career Upgrade/Vocational Training grant recipients can use up to $500 for personal expense per award.
  
  

Do I have to re-apply at each application deadline?

• General Scholarshipapplicants/recipients do not need to reapply at each application deadline. The June 1 General Scholarship is for the academic year. Vocational Training Grant applicants do need to reapply at each deadline for additional funding.
  
  

Does TCF provide business loans or grants?

• No, The CIRI Foundation is not chartered to provide financial or technical assistance for starting a business. Assistance may be available through:
  
  

1. UAA Small Business Development Center www.aksbdc.org (907) 274-7232, Toll free outside Anchorage (800) 478.7232

2. Alaska Growth Capital  www.alaskagrowth.com (800) 315-4904

3. The Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov (800) 659-2955; Anchorage District Office (907) 271-4022 www.sba.gov

4. Bureau of Indian Affairs http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/IEED/index.htm

5. The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a business loan program, workshops and free counseling on how to start a small business, and you may qualify for federal programs that steer a portion of government contracts to businesses owned by minorities, such as the SBA's "8(a) Program."

6. AK Source Link provides resources for every aspect of your small business including financing http://www.aksourcelink.com/businesses/financing-your-business

• Additionally, many universities and community schools also provide reference libraries, workshops, and technical assistance on starting a small business, developing business plans, and preparing commercial loan proposals.
  
  

What is the Federal ID (tax) or Employer Identification number for TCF?

• The Federal ID or Employer Identification Number for TCF is 92-0087914.  TCF is a private foundation registered 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.
  

What is a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)?

• A cumulative GPA is where you take your total credit hours and the grade points from *all* semesters and divide the total grade points by the total credit hours. 
  http://www.back2college.com/gpa.htm
  

What is a Grade Point Average (GPA)?

• A grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total amount of grade points earned during a term by the total amount of credit hours attempted. Your grade point average may range from 0.0 to a 4.0.
  http://www.back2college.com/gpa.htm
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