Osage families will receive a little financial relief in the new year when it comes to school assistance.
Thanks to a $500,000 appropriation bill from the 8th Osage Nation Congress during the Tzi Sho Session in September, Osage families nationwide with youth in grades Pre-K through 12th will be eligible for school assistance in the form of $250 per child.
According to the law, the $500,000 will cover 2,000 children whose parents/ guardians apply for the assistance. The assistance is not need-based and will be operated on a first-come, first-served basis.
The new program, titled the Osage Nation Financial Assistance Services for School Clothing, Supplies and Technology Program, will be administered by the ON Education Department.
Applications open Jan. 1, 2023, for the 2022-2023 academic school year at www.osagenation-nsn.gov/services/education/school-assistance and will remain open until May 1, 2023.
According to an Osage Nation Communications release, the program “is intended to be an annual benefit for Osage families with school-aged children.”
“We recognize that the costs of a new school year can be stressful for families,” said Education Director Mary Wildcat. “The Osage Nation Financial Assistance Services for School Clothing, Supplies and Technology Program provides critical financial assistance to support our families, so students can have what they need to reach their educational goals.”
The application allows for families with multiple school-aged children to be submitted in one form. Eligibility requirements include:
- Student(s) must be a legally enrolled member of the Osage Nation.
- Student(s) must be enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.
- Student(s) must be enrolled in a public, home school, charter or boarding school.
- Student must provide a verification of enrollment that meets the requirements of the program’s policy
Applications are not considered complete until all required documents have been submitted for each student and will be processed in the order received.
For more information:
- Visit: www.osagenation-nsn.gov/services/education/school-assistance
- Email: schoolassistance@osagenation-nsn.gov
- Call: (918) 287-5300
