In this context, Augsburg defines 鈥淎merican Indian鈥� as an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe, Alaskan Native Village, or Canadian First Nation; a direct descendant of a parent or grandparent who is an enrolled member of the above; or a direct descendant of a tribally verified member of the above.

Unlike programs in many public institutions, Augsburg鈥檚 program does not limit eligibility to American Indian students who live in the state. In addition, the Augsburg American Indian Recognition Full Tuition Program provides access for both full-time undergraduate students as well as adult learners in any of the university鈥檚 degree completion bachelor鈥檚 programs. This new program will begin in the Fall 2022 semester for both new and continuing eligible students.

鈥淥ne of our commitments at Augsburg is to bring an equity lens to affordability,鈥� said Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow. 鈥淭his program is one step toward recognizing the profound contributions American Indian students and their communities make to the university and within higher education more broadly.鈥�

Regent Eric Jolly described the program as 鈥済roundbreaking among private universities nationwide.鈥� He added, 鈥淎t the same time, it is absolutely in line with Augsburg鈥檚 long-standing commitments to intentional diversity and inclusive excellence. I hope this is just the first of many institutions designing creative and equitable paths to education for native and First Nations people.鈥�

Students who apply for the program do not need to be enrolled as an American Indian tribal member, establish residence on trust land, or be Minnesota residents.

Through this program, Augsburg seeks to support and promote American Indians within the Augsburg community.

鈥淢y mom and dad told me my whole life, you鈥檙e going to college. It was a 鈥榳here鈥� and not an 鈥榠f.鈥� What I needed from a school鈥攖he main thing that was going to make or break it鈥攚as if I could afford it,鈥� said Reuben Kitto Stately 鈥�22, a student from both the Red Lake Nation and Santee Sioux Nation. 鈥淏ut the culture of the campus, the way the Native students support each other, was also a big selling point. This part of the south side of Minneapolis is the most concentrated urban Native population in the whole country.鈥�

鈥淭he systemic injustices that have limited access to higher education for many American Indian students need structural solutions,鈥� said Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Joanne Reeck. 鈥淭his program is one step that we as an institution can take.鈥�

Learn more about the American Indian Recognition Full Tuition Program.

Top image: Reuben Kitto Stately 鈥�22 is an Augsburg student from both the Red Lake Nation and Santee Sioux Nation. (Photo by Courtney Perry)

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