The Nevada Legislature and Nevada System of Higher Education are encouraging Native American students to pursue higher education and seize the opportunities that await them at Western Nevada College and other NSHE institutions.
Effective for the fall 2021 semester at WNC, NSHE has approved a fee waiver for Native American students who are members or descendants of a federally recognized Indian tribe or nation in Nevada, have been Nevada residents for at least a year and meet academic requirements. The fee waiver stems from Gov. Steve Sisolak signing Assembly Bill 262 in June at Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum in Carson City to lift the financial barrier to higher education for Native American students.
We are looking forward to welcoming more Native American students to campus and providing them with the service, guidance and education that will help transform their lives and open up many opportunities for them in the future, WNC President Dr. Vincent Solis said. Thanks to The Nevada Legislature and Nevada System of Higher Education, there are now many educational choices available to Native American students. We hope these families will choose WNC. We are ready and were excited to serve this important population.
The amount of the waiver is equal to the balance of registration, laboratory and other mandatory fees owed by the student that remain unpaid after the students account has been credited with the full amount of any federal education benefits (excluding loans). In the case of students who arent entitled to receive any federal financial aid benefits for a semester, the full amount of the fees assessed against the student will be waived for that semester.
Federal education benefits include federal grants awarded based on completion of the FAFSA, including but not limited to Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, TEACH Grant and any federal veteran educational benefits.
Native American students can continue receiving the benefits of the waiver if they maintain at least a minimum grade point average of 2.0. If they compile a GPA of less than 2.0, the student can regain eligibility by enrolling in classes without the waiver and meeting the GPA requirement.
Native American students need to complete the required eligibility form to determine if they can receive the waiver. Find the form at Admissions and Records forms and downloads page or at /wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NSHENativeAmericanFeeWaiverForm_Accessible_-8.3.21.pdf. Students attending WNC must submit their completed forms to Lorraine Plympton of Admissions and Records at Lorraine.plympton@wnc.edu or admissions.records@wnc.edu. For more information about the fee waiver, contact Plympton at 775-445-3279.
Students can have their questions answered during a webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. NSHE Associate Vice Chancellor Renee Davis and UNR Indigenous Student Services Coordinator Markie Wilder will share information on the Native American fee waiver, including what it covers, eligibility requirements and the application process. To participate, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82103295081
To further support its growing Native American student population, WNC launched the Native First Scholarship in April to help Native American and Alaskan Native students attend WNC who dont have the financial means necessary or who are underfunded in their pursuit of higher education.
In addition, WNC has established an Indigenous Student Association advised by Sylvia Verdugo and is planning an academic cohort in the fall. The ISA will promote a sense of community on campus and provide an educational support system to WNCs Native students through cultural events and coming together to have a presence on campus.
It is important that we acknowledge our Indigenous students on campus, Verdugo said.

For 50 years Western Nevada College has helped students prepare for a variety of professional careers through associate and bachelor degrees, industry certifications and workforce training. WNC offers exemplary academics, affordability and student satisfaction. Through our three campuses, resource and learning centers, cohorts and expanding online offerings, Western is positioned to serve students throughout the state and accommodate individuals who must maintain commitments to work and family. The colleges foundation awarded more than $600,000 in scholarships annually because of generous donations from private donors and local businesses. For more information on WNC, go to WNC.edu or phone 774-445-3000.