Orientation

Education Assistance Program/Higher Education Services (TONEAP/HES) Orientation

MISSION STATEMENT

In order to conserve the uniqueness of Native American Culture, language and to strengthen families and communities: Education must begin at home. To promote success in both cultures the Tohono O’odham Education Department will assist O’odham to reach their fullest potential by promoting self respect, expanding awareness of opportunities, and providing education and training.

HISTORY

• Tohono O’odham Nation Scholarship Fund was established in 1995
• In 2005 Scholarship Fund and Higher Education Services merged
• Scholarship Fund is tribally funded whereas, Higher Education Services is federally funded
• On August 4, 2016, Legislative Council approved program name change from Scholarship Fund to Education Assistance Program

Continuing EAP Students: 

Enrollment Status

EAP Full Time and Part-Time status is defined as the following:

• Full-Time: 24 credit hours per year, or 12 per semester, 8 per trimester, or 6 per quarter
• Part Time is 12 credit hours per year or 6 to 11 per semester
  * Minimum credit hours may vary based on degree level and the school’s academic
  calendar (semester, trimester, or year-round).
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
• Must complete all funded credits
• Submit required documentation at the end of each semester before the closing date: 
  December 20^th and June 30^th. These open and closing enrollments are continuous every year.
• Maintain enrollment status with the Tohono O’odham Nation.
• Open and ongoing proactive communication between the student and EAP is essential.  
  
  Note: In order to serve our students in an effective and efficient manner we must increase our trust and responsibility to each other, our program is here to assist.  
  
  Do not hesitate to contact your assigned specialist and/or office is you have any questions, comments or concerns. 
  
  Contact Education Assistance Program

Spring

Submit required documentation at the end of each semester/term before the closing date: 

• Semester students must submit FNA to financial aid on/or before December 4
  *Financial aid office will communicate with EAP and agree on the submission dates to the program to complete FNA requirement. 

• The earlier FNA is submitted to your school’s financial aid office, the earlier the student file will be completed.  

Public vs Private Institutions

Credits may not always transfer between private and public institutions.

• For example, if you transfer from a private institution to a public university, some of your credits might not be accepted.
• Additionally, the cost of attending a private institution is significantly higher than that of a public school. This higher cost can impact your yearly allocation by decreasing the amount available for living expenses.

Transferring Schools

• A Degree Audit is required when transferring schools.
• Keep in mind that not all credits may transfer between institutions.
• If credits do not transfer, the student will need to make up the missing credits independently.
• This may lead to a suspension or reduction of funding, potentially affecting the renewal of any/all future potential funding. 

Renewal of Funding

Students must maintain regular communication with their assigned specialist and provide advance notice if they are considering withdrawing from or dropping
any courses.

• Any changes in your student status must be reported to your specialist.
• Failure to communicate these changes may directly affect your status in the program.

Academic Requirements

To renew Education Assistance Program funding, the following information must
be received:

• Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA each semester or term.
• Students must complete all credits for which they received funding.
• Failure to meet these requirements and maintain a 2.0 GPA may lead to academic probation, suspension, or default status.

Renewal Requirements

To continue receiving funding, you must adhere to the established requirements. If you have previously been funded by EAP and are approved for continued funding, ensure you meet all necessary criteria to maintain your eligibility.

1. You must submit an official transcript at the end of the spring semester and an unofficial transcript at the end of the fall semester to verify the credits completed each term.
   • The official transcript must be certified, remain in its original, unbroken, sealed envelope from the school registrar’s office, and be either mailed or hand-delivered to EAP.
   • Electronic transcripts are acceptable if provided by your institution.
2. You must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 each semester.
3. Submit a current class schedule that includes your name, start and end dates, credits, and location. If your school cannot provide this, contact your academic advisor and have them email a statement detailing your classes and credits, including start and end dates, to AskEAP@tonation-nsn.gov. Ensure that your class schedule aligns with the grades on the transcript you submit at the end of each semester.
   
   Note: Changing your class schedule without first consulting your EAP Specialist may jeopardize your funding and could result in academic probation, suspension, or default.
   
   TONEAP/HES will not provide funding for repeated courses or incomplete credits.
4. Updated Program of Study (P.O.S)/ Degree Audit
   • Ensure that your current classes are listed on your updated P.O.S.
   • We will not fund classes that are not included on your P.O.S.
5. Financial Needs Analysis Form (FNA)
   This form must be submitted to your school’s Financial Aid Office on or before June 30^th for the fall semester and December 20^th for the spring semester.
   • The Financial Aid Office will complete the form and send it to AskEAP@tonation-nsn.gov.

Be sure to inform your financial aid advisor that your FNA must align with your class
schedule and credits for each semester or term.

Remember to notify your financial aid advisor that your FNA must match your class
schedule/credits and completed for one semester/ term

Remember to notify your EAP Specialist as soon as you become aware of any changes. 

Before Your Semester Ends

• Submit documents as soon as you have access to them. This will inform us that you are still seeking support, and your specialist will assist you in tracking what needs to be submitted next. You will receive notifications with a list of items to provide before the upcoming deadline. 
• Inform your specialist of your performance so they can better assess your funding situation for the next semester/term. This is especially important if you need to take a leave of absence, withdraw/failed/drop a class, or encountered unexpected circumstances that impacted your academic performance. 
• The more we know about your status and the earlier we receive your documents, the earlier we can determine your funding status. 

TONEAP/HES Allocation

TONEAP/HES disbursements are based on the Financial Needs Analysis (FNA) submitted by the Financial Aid Office at the student’s school. 

Tuition/registration related fees, books, transportation, one-time technology and living are based on specific eligibility and calculation standards set in place through Education Assistance Program protocol.

Note: Students residing on campus (dorms) or taking online courses are not eligible for transportation costs. 
Amounts may vary for year-round or trimester programs 
*If a student is eligible for a living stipend, it must be used to cover room, board & dorm fees. 

Please retain all award letters issued to you for your tax records, as no additional copies will be provided. 

Academic Probation

• At the end of each term, if a student does not meet the required 2.0 GPA, fails to complete all funded credits or classes, or does not report changes to their EAS, they will be placed on Academic Probation.
• Students are given one semester/term to address and correct their GPA or credit deficiencies.
• If placed on probation, only part-time funding will be issued, which includes tuition, books, transportation, and living expenses. EAP will cover only 6 to 11 credits, and you will be responsible for any additional credits.
  * Credit hour minimums are determined by the degree level and the school’s academic
  calendar (semester, trimester, or year-round).
• Failing six (6) or more credits will result in suspension.

Suspension

• Failure to address GPA or credit deficiencies during the Academic Probation period will lead to suspension.
• Students have one semester/term to resolve their GPA or credit deficiencies without receiving TONEAP/HES funding.
• Failure to meet the requirements during suspension will result in default.

Default

Default means that TONEAP/HES will discontinue funding. Students will be required to repay all funds received during the most recent funding period due to:

• Failure to complete all credits/classes for which you were funded
• Failure to meet Suspension requirements
• Lack of contact with your EAP Specialist
• Withdrawal or dismissal from school
• Incarceration or falsification of information
  *You must resolve your Default through our Audit Process before being eligible for any
  future funding.

Request a Default/Audit review

Repayment

• Payments must be made in the form of a money order or cashier’s check, and should be made payable to the Tohono O’odham Nation.
• Students can also apply credits to settle their default amounts.
• If you go into default and wish to rejoin the program, you will need to submit an Official Transcript and request an audit of your file. Additionally, you must still meet the 2.0 GPA minimum for any outstanding credits.
• After the audit is completed, you will receive notifications via email and postal mail.
• Once a student is cleared, they may reapply to the program and must adhere to all deadlines. Please note that funding is not guaranteed, so we encourage students to seek additional sources of financial assistance.