Applying for the Tohono O’odham Nation Education Assistance Program (EAP)
Step 1
Empower Student Portal Access
Once your Tribal enrollment is verified, you will receive an email with instructions to create a login and complete your application.
Tribal Verification Requirement
Please provide basic information along with a photo of your Tribal Enrollment Card or Certificate. If you don’t have either, you may submit your Tribal Enrollment Number instead.
Audit Screening
Once your form is submitted, we will work with Tribal Enrollment to verify your status and conduct a screening for any defaults.
APPLICATION WILL OPEN & AVAILABLE:
May 18, 2026 and
close on June 18th, 2026
NOTE: Once completed and verified, you will be notified by email of the next steps for acceptance.
TIP: To get ahead, begin collecting the documents in Step 2
Step 2
Acceptance Letter
Provide an acceptance letter from the institution you will be attending. If you received it via email, you may print it or save it as a PDF. The letter should indicate your enrollment status: part-time (6-11 credits) or full-time (12+ credits).
FAFSA Submission Summary(FSS)
This report is generated from the information provided in your FAFSA application. Please complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you are an international student, please submit a W-7 form instead. Students enrolled in Master’s or PhD programs are not required to apply for the FAFSA Pell Grant.
Program of Study/Degree Audit
Provide a document that details the required courses for completing your program or degree. This helps us verify your program’s eligibility. You can obtain this from a school advisor or access the Degree Audit through your student portal.
NOTE: Your program needs to go through a verification process to make sure you’re eligible for funding. Don’t worry—we’ll review everything and let you know as soon as it’s complete.
TIP: You can get a head start by downloading the Financial Needs Analysis Form. Fill out the student section and submit it to your school’s financial aid office. Once that’s done, you’ll be ready to upload any other documents needed to finish your application.
Step 3
Financial Needs Analysis
Please enter your information in the top section of this form. Your school’s financial aid officer will fill out the bottom section. The form cannot be finalized until you have applied for Pell (FAFSA). The student is responsible for completing the top portion of the FNA and submitting it to the school’s financial aid office for the bottom section to be completed. Students should contact their school for instructions on how to submit the form to the financial aid office.
Class Schedule
Submit your class schedule from your institution. This will help determine your full-time or part-time student status. Make sure the number of credits matches those listed on your Financial Needs Analysis (FNA). Additionally, ensure the schedule includes your name, start and end dates, and locations.
Submit Official School Transcripts
High School Graduates/GED
You must submit official high school transcripts with the posted graduation date or official GED scores. Official transcripts are considered unopened and sealed in the envelope.
College/Some College
Submit official transcripts or e-scripts from the most recent college or university attended.
Official transcripts must be certified by the school’s registrar and submitted either by mail directly to the program, via e-script, or hand-delivered in an unopened, sealed envelope. Official transcripts from any prior college attendance must be unopened and sealed in the envelope or digitally sealed through services such as Parchment or Student Clearing House.
W-9 Form Requirement
All students and institutions are required to complete and sign a W-9 Form. This form is mandated by the Tohono O’odham Nation in order to process payments to individuals who may be eligible for funding. Completion of the W-9 is necessary for all students seeking financial assistance.
NOTE: To have your application considered complete and ready for processing, please ensure all required documents are submitted. Please also make sure you have completed your application for assistance in your student portal.