U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced that the administration's Fiscal Year 2004 budget proposal will include a 5 percent increase for Tribal Colleges and Universities, bringing the total requested amount to $19 million. The president has proposed funding increases for these programs for the past two fiscal years.

"President Bush recognizes the important role Tribal Colleges and Universities play in American Indian communities and that increased funds are necessary to ensure educational quality and equality for all Americans," said Paige. "These institutions will have the same access and opportunities as other institutions of higher education across the country."

"The nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities have an historic and unique role in American higher education, and they serve many Americans who might otherwise be left behind," Paige added. "By taking this action, the administration reaffirms the special relationship of the federal government to American Indians and their sovereign tribal nations, and we renew our commitment to educational excellence for American Indian students."

In July 2002, President Bush met with Tribal College presidents at the White House where he signed an executive order that established the President's Board of Advisors on Tribal Colleges and Universities and the White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities.

The main goal of these programs is to assist eligible institutions of higher education to become self-sufficient by providing funds to improve and strengthen their academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability. One-year planning grants and five-year development grants are awarded. Funds may be used for faculty development and improvement of academic programs, joint use of facilities, and student services.

There are 34 Tribal Colleges and Universities in the United States, located mainly in the Midwest and Southwest. They serve more than 30,000 full-time and part-time students and offer two-year associate degrees in more than 200 areas with some providing bachelor's and master's degrees. They also offer 200 vocational certificate programs.

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