Native American Tuition Program

Students from Federally Recognized Tribes Pay In-State Tuition

Portland State University’s Native American Tuition Program (NATP) ensures that undergraduate, graduate, and postbaccalaureate students who are enrolled members of any one of the U.S. Federally Recognized Tribes will pay the equivalent of resident (in-state) tuition regardless of state or country of residence. NATP does not cover housing, meals, books, or personal expenses. 

Eligibility

To qualify for NATP students must provide documentation confirming they are enrolled members of one of the Federally Recognized Tribes included in the Federal Register. To be eligible for these tuition benefits, students must:

• be admitted to PSU; and
• verify Tribal enrollment.
  • In recognition of the sovereignty of Native nations, we can accept either a Tribal identification card or a letter issued by a Tribe as proof of enrollment and membership in the Tribe. Documentation of descendancy alone cannot be used to confirm Tribal enrollment.

To verify Tribal enrollment submit documentation via email to askres@pdx.edu.

Portland State will not apply the discount retroactively for tuition already paid or balances due. 

Co-admitted students who qualify for NATP will only have the discount applied to PSU courses and credits.

Deadlines

To be considered for NATP admitted students must submit documentation verifying Tribal enrollment via email to askres@pdx.edu by the end of the first week of the term for which they are admitted.

NATP Notification 

A notification will be sent via email confirming eligibility for the program. Students whose uploaded documents are not verified will be contacted directly regarding their status with the University. 

NATP applies to any undergraduate, graduate, or postbaccalaureate credit-bearing course offered at PSU and is not limited by degree, certificate, or academic program. It is automatically applied to financial aid awards once the appropriate documentation is provided and approved. Students can view the discount on their financial aid award their Financial Aid Dashboard once it has been applied. 

PSU students who are eligible for other institutional aid cannot receive financial assistance in excess of the total direct cost of tuition and fees billed by PSU. This policy does not affect state financial aid programs that are available to residents of Oregon. 

Financial aid awards for students who are enrolled members of one of the nine tribes of Oregon, and who receive financial aid as a result, will not have their financial aid awards changed or altered as a result of NATP. 

Students majoring in programs in the College of the Arts, Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, The School of Business, the University Honors College, and some online programs pay a higher rate per credit (differential tuition). Differential tuition costs are not covered by NATP and students are responsible for paying these costs.

Maintaining NATP

After Tribal enrollment is verified students remain eligible for NATP for the duration of their enrollment at PSU. NATP is automatically applied to student accounts prior to the start of each term. 

If circumstances require an enrolled student to be away from PSU for a term or more, and they continue to meet NATP eligibility criteria, they will retain their ability to receive the NATP discount upon re-enrollment.

Contact 

If you have questions about your bill, contact Student Financial Services.

If you have questions about your eligibility for this program, contact Portland State’s Residency Officer at askres@pdx.edu.