American Indian Education Program Title VI student eligibility criteria:

Your child/children have been identified as having Native American heritage and are possibly eligible to be counted in Title VI Indian Education funding.  Below is information to help you understand more about American Indian Education, and the federal definition.  Also, enclosed you will find Title VI ED 506 Indian Student Eligibility Certification Form/s to complete and return if you choose to do so.

What is Indian Education, Title VI:

In 1972 the Indian Education Act was legislation establishing a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students.  The Indian Education Act provides financial assistance to Title VI programs to meet the educational and culturally related needs of students in public elementary and secondary schools.

In order to apply for an Indian Education, Title VI grant schools must determine the number of American Indian children enrolled.  Any child who meets the following definition may be counted for this purpose.

An Alaska Native or American Indian is defined as:

• A member (as defined by the Indian tribe or band) of an Indian tribe or band, including those Indian tribe or bands, terminated since 1940, and those recognized by the state in which the tribe or band reside; or

• a descendant in the first or second degree (parent or grandparent) as described in (1); or

• considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for any purpose; or

• an Eskimo or Aleut or other Alaska Native; or

• a member of an organized Indian group that received a grant under the Indian Education Act of 1988 as it was in effect October 19, 1994

Title VI Indian Education opportunities/support may include:

• Cultural Enrichment Opportunities (activities, field trips, presenters, language…) 

• Academic/Behavior/Emotional Support

• Monitoring/Resources/Referrals for additional support

• Special Education Support/Advocacy

• Post-Secondary Planning Support (post-secondary school visits, scholarship resources…)

The Title VI ED 506 Indian Student Eligibility Certification Form serves as the official record of the eligibility determination for each child included in the student count that will determine funding for Native American students. You are not required to complete or submit this form. However, if you choose not to submit a form, your child cannot be counted for funding under Title VI Indian Education.

If you choose to complete the Title VI ED 506 Form; fill out the form with as much information as you have, complete a separate form for each child, and return the form/s in the pre stamped envelope provided.

For Parents/Guardians:

Definitions: Indian means an individual who is (1) A member of an Indian Tribe or Band, as membership is defined by the Indian Tribe or Band, including any Tribe or Band terminated since 1940, and any Tribe or Band recognized by the State in which the Tribe or Band resides; (2) A descendant of a parent or grandparent who meets the requirements described in paragraph (1) of this definition; (3) Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for any purpose; (4) An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native; or (5) A member of an organized Indian group that received a grant under the Indian Education Act of 1988 as it was in effect on October 19, 1994.

Student Information: Write the name of the child, date of birth, grade level, name of school and school district. Only name one child per form.

Tribal Membership: Write the name of the individual with the tribal membership, if it is not the child listed. Only one name is needed for this section, even though multiple persons may have tribal membership. Select only one identifier: the child, child’s parent or grandparent, for whom you can provide membership information. Write the name and address of the organization that maintains updated and accurate membership data for such Tribe or Band of Indians. The name does not need to be the official name as it appears exactly on the Department of Interior’s list of federally recognized Tribes, but the name must be recognizable and be of sufficient detail to permit verification of the eligibility of the Tribe. Check only one box indicated whether it is a Federally Recognized, State Recognized, Terminated Tribe or Organized Indian Group. Write the enrollment number establishing the membership for the child, parent or grandparent, if readily available, or other evidence of membership.

Attestation Statement: Provide the printed name of parent/guardian and signature, address, phone number and email of the parent or guardian of the child. The signature of the parent or guardian of the child verifies the accuracy of the information supplied.

Paperwork Burden Statement: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1810-0021. The time required to complete this portion of the information collection per type of respondent is estimated to average: 15 minutes per Indian student certification (ED 506) form; including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to: Office of Indian Education, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., LBJ/Room 3W238, Washington, D.C. 20202-6335