SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

St. Stephens Indian Mission's scholarship program currently has 17 active recipients of its four year scholarship for full-time academic pursuits with scholarships totaling $11,338.00. Where did the recipients go to school this past fall? The following is a list of the colleges attended:

5- Central Wyoming College (Riverton, WY)

1 - Chadron State College (Chadron, NE)

7 - University of Wyoming (Laramie, WY)

1 - University of Utah

1 - Creighton University (Omaha, NE)

1 - Northeastern Junior College (Sterling, CO)

The disbursement for these 17 students is paid directly to the college. The disbursement is down a bit from the previous semester; however, since we have revised the application process and requirements for the scholarship during the past year, we hope that more Arapaho and Shoshone young men and women will avail themselves of the scholarships.

As the Mission's scholarship program enters its 22nd year, we thank you for making it possible. Your generosity to this program helps build a capital fund to endow the scholarships which are awarded each year to Arapaho and Shoshone graduating seniors and non-traditional students who meet the baseline criterion, along with conditions for renewal of the scholarship.

There is a definite need to offer non-traditional scholarships as older students are appearing on the college scene in growing numbers. After raising a family, working, et cetera, many people are desirous of following the path of higher education. Many recipients express their gratitude, noting that the scholarship made a real diference in their lives.

In addition, we are in conversation with Creighton University, which sponsors a successful program for American Indians, to determine whether Creighton might not increase the scholarship for Wind River Reservation students wanting to attend this private, Jesuit-sponsored Catholic college. Creighton has over 50 American Indian students on its roll. The Mission Executive Committee has increased the grant for those intending to attend Creighton. (To visit Creighton, go to the Links page).

Scholarship Funding Schedule Per Semester:

Community College $650.00

Four Year college $800.00

Catholic collage $1500.00

Creighton University Special grants

Shoshone Tribal Member Tetona Dunlap, daughter of Thomas and Adrienne Dunlop, was a January, 2005 graduate of Creighton University with a Bachelors degree in Journalism. She was a Chips Quin Scholar and interned at the Lincoln Journal Star in Lincoln, Nebraska the following spring.

Tetona Dunlap with her sister, Juniper; her mother

Adrienne; father, Thomas; friend, Albert Two Bears; and sister, Michelle

When Mary Brown was a high school graduating senior, she applied for and received a scholarship from St. Stephens Mission. She is currently attending Central Wyoming College in Riverton. Mary is pursuing a career as a Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer.

Mary Brown celebrated her high school graduation in May, 2004

Our Traditional Scholarship Program

A. Purpose of the Scholarship:

To train Shoshone and Arapaho Catholic leaders by providing assistance for college education.

B. General Information:

Each year St. Stephens will offer at least two scholarships to students graduating from high schools on or adjacent to the Wind River Reservation or from an Indian boarding school. Scholarships are granted for an uninterrupted four year (8 semester) period, provided that all conditions are met and that sufficient funding remains available to continue the scholarship program. An additional semester or two may be granted at the discretion of the Director of St. Stephens.

(Fr. Ron Seminara, SJ, the Director, welcomes a visit from you if you are in the area.)

C. Eligibility Requirements:

1. Must have Arapaho or Shoshone ancestry at least two generations removed.

2. Must be a baptized Catholic.

3. Must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a high school diploma,

4. Must formally apply for the scholarship by May 30th of the graduating year if new, or by September 30th for the fall semester and January 31st for the spring semester if renewals.

5. Must have good attendance record with no more than five (5) absences a semester in the senior year of high school.

Scholarship Funding Schedule Per semester:

Community College $645.00

Four Year college $800.00

Catholic college $1300.00

Funds are paid directly to the college.

D. Conditions to Retain Scholarship:

1. Recipient must be a full time student maintaining steady progress towards a college degree and must maintain the minimun grade point average each semester required by the school attended to be considered in good academic standing. If there is some difficulty, the Director of St. Stephens may permit an individual to receive the scholarship for one probationary semester so that the student may regain good academic standing.

2. An official transcript of the last semester grades and a listing of the current semester courses to be taken must be submitted each semester.

3. Transfer in good standing is allowable.

4. Dropping out of school terminates the scholarship. If a student is withdrawing in good standing from school, the student must contact the Director about retaining the scholarship.

E. Application Procedure:

1. Fill out the application form available from the high school councelor or from St. Stephens administration office.

2. Provide a legible current transcript of high school grades.

3. Write a short letter to the Director stating why you want to attend college and which college you wish to attend.

4. Submit the letter of acceptance from the school you wish to attend, if one is used by the school.

5. Send or deliver all application materials to the:

Director, Scholarship Program

St. Stephens Indian Mission

St. Stephens, WY 82524

(Tel. 307-856-7806; FAX 307-856-3853

Saint Stephen's Non-traditional Scholarship

To train Shoshone and Arapaho Catholic leaders by providing assistance for a college education.

B. General Information

Each year St. Stephens will offer scholarships to non traditional students from high schools on or adjacent to the Wind River Indian Reservation or from an Indian boarding school. Scholarships are granted to help students to complete their college degree, to renew or maintain certification, or to begin college if not begun immediately after high school. Scholarships are contingent on availability of funding. Full or part-time students may apply. Students with inadequate academic records should attend college for one semester on their own to establish a 2.0 grade point average before applying for a scholarship. Scholarships are for the fall and spring semesters only, and can be renewed each subsequent semester.

A non-traditional student is one who is not receiving a college education according to a usual uninterrupted program of studies.

C. Eligibility Requirements

1. Must have Arapaho or Shoshone ancestry at least two generations removed.

2. Must be a baptized Catholic.

3. Must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a high school diploma, or a GED certificate.

4. If new, must formally apply for the scholarship by July 1, or if renewing by September 30 for the fall semester and by January 31 for the spring semester.

Amount of grant: $800 ($1000 for Catholic college) for 15 hours or more of-course work, pro-rated less for fewer hours of course work. .

All grants paid directly to the college.

Fr. Ron Seminara, The Director would welcome a visit from you if you are in the area.

D. Conditions to Renew Scholarship

1. Recipient must be maintaining steady progress towards the designated goal and must maintain a 2.0 grade point average each semester or the minimum grade point average required by the school attended to be considered in good academic standing. If there is some difficulty the Director of St. Stephens may permit an individual to receive the scholarship for one probationary semester so that the student may regain good academic standing or the 2.0 GPA required for the scholarship.

2. An official transcript of the last semester grades and a listing of the current semester courses to be taken must be submitted each semester.

3. Transfer in good standing is allowable.

4. If a student is withdrawing in good standing from college, the student must contact the Director about retaining the scholarship at a different school.

E. Application Procedure

1. Fill out the application form available from the St. Stephen’s administration office.

2. Provide a legible current transcript of the last college or high school grades and a course list for the current semester.

3. If new, write a short letter describing work experiences, educational goals, and need for funding assistance. Also mention what college you will be attending.

4. If new, submit copy of high school diploma or GED certificate.

5. Send or deliver all application materials to the

Director Scholarship Program

St. Stephens Indian Mission

P.O. Box 250

Saint Stephens, WY 82524

Tel (307) 856-7806

Fax (307) 856-3853

F. Selection Criteria

1. Application procedure and all required application materials submitted by the specific deadline.

2. College seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen will be considered in that order.

3. Recertification as with teachers, to be considered.