The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe today announced the establishment of a Higher Education Scholarship program to support Native American students enrolled at one of 12 state universities, community colleges or technical colleges in the 2012 school year.

“This new program reflects the Muckleshoot Tribe’s strong commitment to education,” said Muckleshoot Tribal Council Chair Virginia Cross.

“This is especially important at a time we see the cost of higher education increasing at the same time state support is declining,” Cross said. “The Muckleshoot Tribe views education as a lifelong pursuit and we have invested heavily creating a seamless system of education on the Reservation, from birth-to-5 and Head Start for the very youngest to college and continuing education for adults. This new program expands the tribe’s education initiatives across the state.”

The Muckleshoot scholarship program will provide $175,000 for the 2012 school year to support between 30 and 45 scholarships for Native American students.

Six state universities and six technical and community colleges will participate in the program.

Participating institutions include;

University of Washington

Washington State University

Eastern Washington University

Western Washington University

The Evergreen State College

Central Washington University

Seattle Central Community College

Highline Community College

Green River Community College

Bates Technical College

Renton Technical College

Northwest Indian College