The federal government will help cover the cost of the Native student tuition program at Fort Lewis College under a bill introduced by Rep. John Salazar (D-Colorado).

H.R.5974 requires the Department of Education to reimburse the state for the tuition of Indian students who live out of state. Colorado would continue to cover the tuition for in-state students.

"After 100 years, it is time to step up and reverse this unfunded mandate and preserve this valuable program for future generations of students," Salazar said in a press release.

Fort Lewis began as an Indian boarding school that was run by the federal government. When it became a public institution, the state promised to admit Indian students "free of tuition and on an equality with white students."

About 20 percent of the college students are Indian. The majority are from out of state, according to a spokesperson.

Get the Story:
Bill: Feds would aid tuition waiver (The Durango Herald 8/4)

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