Senators announce $59,000 in scholarships for SKC students

Baucus, Tester Say Dollars Help Disadvantaged Students Pay For College

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Students hoping to attend Salish Kootenai Tribal College could be getting some help thanks to a new federal grant. Montana's U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced today that $58,844 is heading to the college to help students pay for their education.

The grant amount will be awarded as scholarships to nearly 40 students attending Salish Kootenai Tribal College for the 2008-2009 school year.

"One of my top priorities is to help make higher education more affordable, so our students can go on to get good paying jobs and stay right here in Montana," said Baucus.  "Unfortunately, college costs can still break the bank for too many folks- and that's a tragedy. We'll keep working to make higher education more affordable for everyone, but until that day, scholarships like this are just the ticket."

"Scholarship money like this is a vital part of making sure everyone who wants to can go to college," Tester said. "This grant will help so many students get the education they need to get a jump start on life.  Salish Kootenai College is a great school and I'm so glad this grant will allow even more young Montanans to get a degree."

The scholarships are awarded based on need and can be used to pay for tuition, books, housing and other education expenses.

Salish Kootenai Tribal College is a tribally controlled college chartered in 1977 by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. There are more than 1,000 students representing more than 100 Native American tribes.