Feb. 18, 2003

Moscow - Federal Department of Education grants totaling $3 million will help adults in Idaho and 10 Northwest Nations find ways to achieve their higher-education dreams. This is the first year Idaho has received such funding. The grants, issued to the University of Idaho College of Education and to North Idaho College are for five years.

"Each year we hope to help at least three thousand people statewide find funding for tuition, fees and books so they can pursue higher education," said Scott Clyde, Idaho EOC director at UI. "Lots of people think going back to college is impossible, but thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships are available. Our job is to help them find that money, and help them apply."

Three Idaho EOC grants provide about $200,000 a year for five years, funding offices in Coeur d'Alene, Moscow and Boise. In each area, counselors will provide workshops and assist eligible participants with career advice, financial aid information, and assistance to apply for college, university or vocational-technical programs.

Counselors will be hired on the Umatilla Reservation in Washington and on the Shoshone-Paiute Reservation at the Idaho-Nevada border later this month. Tribes included from Idaho are the Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Paiute, and Shoshone-Bannock. From Washington are the Spokane Tribe, Colville, Kalispel and Yakama Nations; from Oregon, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla.

Because of federal grant guidelines, priority is given to those with limited income, age 19 or older, who have completed high school or a GED, and who are "first generation," meaning neither parent has completed a four-year college education. "Limited income" is defined as individuals or family members making less than 150 percent of the federally defined poverty level.

"These grants will open gates of educational opportunity for Idaho and the Northwest Nations," said Jo Stensaas, Boise coordinator. "We are working with other state agencies, parole boards, churches, back-to-work groups, migrant farm groups, actually anyone interested in helping Idaho people have a better life through education."

"There is no doubt increased education gives people greater opportunities," said Clyde. "Federal statistics show the median income for people with a high school diploma make about $5,000 a year more than those who don't -- $21,000 vs. $27,000. People with associate degrees or two years of college can add $6,000 a year to their incomes ($32,500), and it goes on up - $46,000 a year with a bachelor's degree, and so on." (These vary depending on the subject fields, and market demand.)

Corporations, civic or government groups interested in hosting an EOC workshop at their site, or individuals interested in the program may contact:

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Note to Editors: EOC grant representatives will be at the following events: