Cowlitz Tuition Assistance Award Program
The Cowlitz Tribe views vocational certificates and college or university degrees as an investment in both the Tribal member and the future of our Tribal community. To encourage Cowlitz students in their pursuit of a vocational certificate or college or university degree the Cowlitz Tribe offers a Tuition Assistance Award Benefit and an Educational Costs GWE Benefit.
Tuition Assistance Award Benefit
Tuition and tuition related fees are awarded to enrolled Cowlitz tribal members attending an accredited vocational school, college, or university. Cowlitz Tribal funding will support one of each of the following certificates or degrees:
- Vocational Certificate
- Associate Degree
- Bachelor Degree
- Master Degree
- Doctorate Degree
Funding for the program is approved by the Tribal Council each academic year and is dependent on availability of Tribal funds.
Educational Costs GWE Benefit
For more information, contact the Tuition Assistance Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Carol Burnison at 360-353-9588 or Mersady Smith at 360-353-9497.
The Education Committee and hundreds of Cowlitz students who have received this award, thank the Cowlitz Tribal Council and General Council for their support.
Gregg Ford, Chair
Suzanne Donaldson, Vice-Chair
Timi Russin, Secretary
Education Committee Members: Karissa Lowe, Becky Lowe, David Iyall, Celine Cloquet, Dave Reichel, Dave Littleton, Crystal Leigh and Ellen Harju.
Tuition Assistance Coordinator: Carol Burnison
Tuition Specialist: Mersady Smith
Education Committee Mission Statement and By-Laws - April 10, 2021
Cowlitz Tuition Assistance Award Program | Policies and Procedures - April 10, 2021
2022–23 Academic Year (May 1, 2022 through April 30, 2023) APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN - Jan 5th
- 2022-23 Cowlitz Tuition Assistance Award Application Packet
- 2022-23 Request for Payment Form (complete with Tuition Request)
For Student Housing Assistance – Call 360-864-8720 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you have questions, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Carol Burnison, Lead Tuition Assistance Coordinator, at 360-353-9588 or Mersady Smith, Tuition Specialist at 360-353-9497
Students applying for a Cowlitz Tuition Assistance Award are urged to seek other outside sources of funding for their educational costs. Links to scholarship programs and other educational opportunities are provided below.