Higher Education Programs
Higher Education Programs Director
Yolanda Walker
Phone: 405.247.2425 x106
Email: yolanda.walker@wichitatribe.com
About Me:
Hello, my name is Yolanda Walker. I'm a Comanche Tribal citizen, and of Kiowa, Apache, and Fort Sill Apache descent. I enjoy spending time with my family and watching sports from basketball to football. Boomer!! Sooner!!
I've been blessed to have worked at the tribe for many years. This place is so much more than just a work place. Administration has always supported our programs and treated me well and I appreciate it very much. So whether it's volunteering at the Wichita Annual Dance or assisting other programs with their outreach activities we all work together for the good of the Wichita people.
While I've made a lot of friends from co-workers to clients, I look forward to making even more. My greatest joy is helping others.
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Click on program name to VIEW APPLICATION
CAREER/JOB TRAINING AND ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS:
Adult Education:
- Must reside inside the service area----Link to Service/Jurisdiction Area Map
- Applicants must be planning to attend or currently attending an accredited GED/ABE program OR
- Applicants must be planning to attend or currently attending an accredited technical/vocational training institution with the intent to: test for the GED/ABE, enhance job skills for employment enrichment, and/or self-improvement.
- Training sites may be located within or outside the service area.
- Training programs must be 6 months or less (short-term).
Education Services Department staff will review applicants' documents to determine eligibility. Based on available funding and the applicant's financial need, grants are awarded to qualified applicants.
Chromebook/Mobile Hot Spot Borrower's Application:
The Education Servives Department recognizes the need for the use of mobile devices to assist in the completion of courses and training. This application will allow for Wichita tribal members to borrow available chromebook devices and/or a mobile hot spot for use during their semester or the duration of their chosen training course. Based on available devices.
All current applican will be put on a waiting list.
Job and Career Readiness Application:
- Applicants must be enrolled in the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes
- Applicants must be starting new employment or must be currently employed.
ESD staff reviews applicants' documents to ascertain eligibility and the submission of all required supporting documentation. Based on available funds, the applicant's financial need and use of granted funding.
Job Placement and Training
Adult Vocational Training (AVT) Program:
- Must be enrolled in the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes
- Must reside inside the service area----Link to Service/Jurisdiction Area Map
- Applicants must be planning to attend or currently attending an accredited vocational training institution.
- Training sites may be located within or outside the service area.
- Training programs may be full-time or part-time, short-term or long-term.
Education Services Department staff will review applicants' documents to determine eligibility. Based on available funding and the applicant's financial need, grants are awarded to qualified applicants.
Job Placement and Training
Direct Employment Assistance (DEA) Program:
- Must be enrolled in the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes
- Must reside inside the service area----Link to Service/Jurisdiction Area Map
- Applicants may request financial assistance before/after obtaining full-time, permanent, and gainful employment
- Must submit a completed application BEFORE receiving their first full paycheck.
Education Services Department staff will review applicants' documents to determine eligibility. Based on available funding and the applicant's financial need, grants are awarded to qualified applicants.
Education Assistance:
- Must be enrolled in the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes
- Must be planning to attend or currently attending an accredited institution of higher education to earn an undergraduate/graduate degree.
ESD staff reviews applicants' documents to ascertain eligibility and submission of all required supporting documentation. Based on available funds, the applicant's financial need and academic standing, grants are awarded to eligible applicants. Grants are always paid directly to the institution.
Link to Budget Worksheet
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY/DEGREE SEEKING (Associates and higher) PROGRAMS:
College Graduation Application:
- For Wichita tribal students who are set to graduate in the upcoming Fall or Spring semesters with an associates degree or higher.
- Graduates can apply for assistance with a cap & gown, graduation cord, honor graduation stole (for 3.5+ GPA and while supplies last) and will recieve a one-time incentive (see below):
$250.00-------------Associates Degree
$500.00--------------Bachelor's Degree
$750.00----------------Master's Degree
$1,000.00------------Doctorate Degree
**Assistance amounts are based on the availability of funds and are subject to change.
LINK TO GRADUATION BANQUET INFORMATION
Graduate College Grant:
- Must be enrolled in the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes
- Applicants must be planning to attend or currently attending an accredited institution of higher education to earn a GRADUATE degree. Can be enrolled in Fall/Spring/Summer courses.
ESD staff reviews applicants' documents to ascertain eligibility and submission of all required supporting documentation. Based on available funds, the applicant's financial need and academic standing, grants are awarded to eligible applicants. Grants are always paid directly to the college/university.
Higher Education Scholarship Program:
- Must be enrolled in the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes
- Applicants must be planning to attend or currently attending an accredited institution of higher education to earn an UNDERGRADUATE degree.
ESD staff reviews applicants' documents to ascertain eligibility and submission of all required supporting documentation. Based on available funds, the applicant's financial need and academic standing, grants are awarded to eligible applicants. Grants are always paid directly to the college/university.
Higher Education Scholarship Program (SUMMER):
- Must be enrolled in the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes
- Applicants must be planning to attend or currently attending an accredited institution of higher education to earn an UNDERGRADUATE degree.
ESD staff reviews applicants' documents to ascertain eligibility and submission of all required supporting documentation. Based on available funds, the applicant's financial need and academic standing, grants are awarded to eligible applicants. Grants are always paid directly to the college/university.
Deadlines
July 1: Fall Semester
November 1: Spring
Semester
April 1:
Summer Semester
**Summer funding is based on available funds. College seniors are priority.
Kitikiti'sh Scholarship:
- Must be enrolled in the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes
- Scholarship will be awarded to two enrolled Wichita students
- Undergraduate and Graduate college students encouraged to apply.
- Please include as much information as possible in each of the four (4) main criteria and the supplemental information areas.
- All written responses should be typed, double-spaced and attached to the application
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- KITKITI'SH SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS: Follow link to view current and past scholarship winners!
- LUNCH BREAK discussions with the Education Services Department and honored guests on various education/career topics! Click HERE to listen in on the Fall 2020 semster's conversations!
- STUDENT OF THE MONTH: Follow link to view current and past student of the month winners!
- GRADUATION BANQUET: Follow link to learn about this year's Education Banquet and to view previous graduate pictures and slideshows!
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TUTORING SERVICES THROUGH TUTOR.COM
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
NOMINATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED NOW!!
Do you have a K-12, college or adult student who you would like to recognize for their hard work and commitment to thier education?! Consider nominating them for the Wichita Tribe Education Services Department Student of the Month by clicking on the form below:
SOM Nomination Form
CAREER/JOB RESOURCES:
Job Openings
Anadarko Industries (WTIDC Company)
University of Oklahoma (external job positions)
University of Oklahoma (student jobs)
Wichita Tribal Enterprises (WTIDC Company)
Career Related Resources
Career Pathways (American Indian College Fund)
Curriculum Vitae (CV) Writing Tips
High School Student Resume Tips
Technology Centers in Oklahoma
What are the most important items to include on resume?
Working Professional Resume Tips
HIGHER EDUCATION RESOURCES:
Scholarships:
OPEN DECEMBER 2020 Scholarships
American Indian Education Fund
American Indian Graduate Center
Association of American Indian Affairs
Best Mobility Aids- Disability Scholarships
Cobell Scholarship (includes scholarships for Vocational/Technical Institutions)
Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Guide to Scholarships for Indigenous Students
Indian Health Services Scholarships
Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund
Learn How to Become (includs scholarships for students with disabilities)
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education:ReachHigher Oklahoma
Native Organizations:
American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC)
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
National Indian Eduation Association (NIEA)
National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI)
Native American Rights Fund (NARF)
National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS)
Office of Indian Education (OIE)
Oklahoma Council for Indian Education (OCIE)
Tribal Education Departments National Assembly (TEDNA)
Internship/Externship and Fellowship Opportunities:
Wilma Mankiller Fellowship Program (NCAI)
Higher Education Related Resources:
A-Z List of US Colleges and Universities
College Guide for Homeless Students
College Guide for LGBTQ Students
College Guide for Undocumented Students
College Guide for Women in STEM
College Resource for Students with Disabilities
Financial Planning-For Native American Communities
First Generation College Student Guide
Guide to Scholarships for Future Teachers
Indian Health Services:Tele-Education (online webinars/training,etc.)
Native Pathways College Readiness Booklet (American Indian College Fund)
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Resources and Support for College Students with Diabilities
Tribal Colleges and Universities
Vocational Rehabilitation Resources:
Oklahoma Rehabilitation Services
Veteran's Readiness and Employment
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Voc Rehab
Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Voc Rehab
LGBTQIA+ RESOURCES:
The Trevor Project: Youth Support Crisis Center
Transgender and Legal Defense Education Fund