WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today announced more than $5.7 million in education grants have been awarded to three tribal colleges in Montana. The funds, awarded from the U.S. Department of Education’s Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities program, include a pair of grants totaling $3.1 million to Black feet Community College, a $1.4 million grant to Stone Child College, and a grant of more than $1.2 million to Fort Belknap College.
“I'm pleased to announce these grants, which will help these three Montana tribal colleges improve their ability to open doors of opportunity for Indian students," Rehberg said. "This Administration has demonstrated a real commitment to the goal of promoting higher education beyond racial boundaries."
Blackfeet Community College in the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Mont., has been selected to receive two grants totaling $3.1 million over five years to improve higher education opportunities for Indian students. Blackfeet Community College will use the grants to build an administrative services facility, renovate the student learning center, conduct research, improve student achievement and incorporate cultural content into the curriculum.
Stone Child College on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation near Box Elder, Mont., has been selected to receive a $1,412,080 grant to improve higher education opportunities for Indian students. Stone Child College will use the grant to build a new learning center that will house classrooms, faculty and support services for their teacher education program.
Fort Belknap College on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation near Harlem, Mont., has been selected to receive $1,287,000 to improve higher education opportunities for Indian students. Fort Belknap College will use the grant to build a campus technology center, which will allow students to take vocational and technical courses and graduate from computer related programs. The new center will include two computer laboratories, two classrooms, a management information systems center and four offices for faculty and staff.
“Montana is home to seven reservations, and blessed with one of the nation’s largest Indian populations,” Rehberg, a member of the House Subcommittee on Native American & Insular Affairs, said. “We have the colleges and the prospective students, which makes these grants all the more special.
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