Financial aid staff assist current or prospective students with the financial aid process, including how to apply for financial aid via scholarships, loans, and work-study.

Adult partial subsidy program Participants who demonstrate that they are work ready and who are hired into career oriented, long-term, stable employment may arrange to have the first 720 hours of their new employment subsidized. These subsidies are paid to the employer, not the employee. A special contract with the employer is required that specifies the terms of agreement for the employer and Aanjibimaadizing. Participant households must be below 200% of poverty guidelines. Adult support services Single payments to vendors to assist participants in overcoming specific, immediate and essential family stabilization or employment related barriers. Participant households must be below 200% of poverty guidelines. The expenses must: - Be directly related to education or employment ?- Verified as not otherwise provided free of charge or available from other resources ?- Be the only way available to meet the need ?- Be documented with evidence of the need verified Adult work experience (WEX) program A 720-hour on-the-job work experience training program structured to promote self-sufficiency through the development of appropriate work habits and job skills. The program targets four critical work behaviors: achievement, reliability, safety, and team building. Participant households must be below 200% of poverty guidelines. The program's incentives are directly related to mastery of these four program behaviors. The program is designed to move the participant to unsubsidized, career-oriented work by building their work skills. Career training and development program Provides basic work and family related trainings and tutoring. These include such issues as: GED preparation, driver's license tests, budgeting, parenting, CPR/first aid, food handling, communications, and conflict management. Households must be below 300% of poverty guidelines. Ge-Niigaanizijig youth program Activities and regularly scheduled meetings to inspire and motivate youth to embrace a traditions based pro-social lifestyle free of chemicals, anti-social or risky behavior, promiscuity, and dependency. Activities are offered to all eligible reservation service area youth from kindergarten through age 20. Income verification is required. Children in families living at or below 200 percent of the poverty guideline qualify. Children who are over-income may be supported by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Cash incentives and awards are made to any Ge-Niigaanizijig youth who meet program participation and achievement goals. Youth career and work exploration program Youth, ages 16 -20 whose family's income is below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline may participate. Youth are given an incentive for actual hours worked. To be eligible youth must be in school, making satisfactory attendance and grades. The type of work and the number of hours worked per week depend on the needs of the worksite supervisor. Youth support services Youth ages three through six who live in households that are below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline and who are enrolled in daycare or school may receive supportive services for such things as: - (For Cash Assistance Families only) a fall and winter school clothing assistance - Athletic or academic program fees and supplies - Boarding school support costs including travel and supplies (based on a program recommendation/required list) - Driver's education costs - Leadership, education or cultural camp costs, including tuition, travel, and supplies (based on a program recommendation/required list) - New employment clothing and/or supplies when required by the employer - Special tutor costs (such as individual music lessons)

Assists eligible students to attend post-secondary training by providing financial assistance including grants, loans, and work study programs.

Provides information on financial aid for students

Adult partial subsidy program Participants who demonstrate that they are work ready and who are hired into career oriented, long-term, stable employment may arrange to have the first 720 hours of their new employment subsidized. These subsidies are paid to the employer, not the employee. A special contract with the employer is required that specifies the terms of agreement for the employer and Aanjibimaadizing. Participant households must be below 200% of poverty guidelines. Adult support services Single payments to vendors to assist participants in overcoming specific, immediate and essential family stabilization or employment related barriers. Participant households must be below 200% of poverty guidelines. The expenses must: - Be directly related to education or employment ?- Verified as not otherwise provided free of charge or available from other resources ?- Be the only way available to meet the need ?- Be documented with evidence of the need verified Adult work experience (WEX) program A 720-hour on-the-job work experience training program structured to promote self-sufficiency through the development of appropriate work habits and job skills. The program targets four critical work behaviors: achievement, reliability, safety, and team building. Participant households must be below 200% of poverty guidelines. The program's incentives are directly related to mastery of these four program behaviors. The program is designed to move the participant to unsubsidized, career-oriented work by building their work skills. Career training and development program Provides basic work and family related trainings and tutoring. These include such issues as: GED preparation, driver's license tests, budgeting, parenting, CPR/first aid, food handling, communications, and conflict management. Households must be below 300% of poverty guidelines. Ge-Niigaanizijig youth program Activities and regularly scheduled meetings to inspire and motivate youth to embrace a traditions based pro-social lifestyle free of chemicals, anti-social or risky behavior, promiscuity, and dependency. Activities are offered to all eligible reservation service area youth from kindergarten through age 20. Income verification is required. Children in families living at or below 200 percent of the poverty guideline qualify. Children who are over-income may be supported by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Cash incentives and awards are made to any Ge-Niigaanizijig youth who meet program participation and achievement goals. Youth career and work exploration program Youth, ages 16 -20 whose family's income is below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline may participate. Youth are given an incentive for actual hours worked. To be eligible youth must be in school, making satisfactory attendance and grades. The type of work and the number of hours worked per week depend on the needs of the worksite supervisor. Youth support services Youth ages three through six who live in households that are below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline and who are enrolled in daycare or school may receive supportive services for such things as: - (For Cash Assistance Families only) a fall and winter school clothing assistance - Athletic or academic program fees and supplies - Boarding school support costs including travel and supplies (based on a program recommendation/required list) - Driver's education costs - Leadership, education or cultural camp costs, including tuition, travel, and supplies (based on a program recommendation/required list) - New employment clothing and/or supplies when required by the employer - Special tutor costs (such as individual music lessons)

- Administers local, state and federal student aid (loans, grants, scholarships and college work-study) to eligible University of Minnesota students - Counsels students regarding financial aid matters - Refers students to other agencies for assistance

Programs offered: Minnesota Youth Program (MYP) providing career exploration, development of a career plan and workforce preparation skills Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a community services and work-based job training program offering development of an employment plan, job placement, job search, skills assessment, work experience and on-the-job experience State Dislocated Worker Program and adult services including: - Assistance with obtaining a GED or high school diploma - Career planning - Job seeking and job maintaining - On the job training opportunities - Referrals to other agencies to find other assistance - Skills assessments - Skills updating - Support to aid in job search and training activities - Tuition assistance for training in a new career Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) is available for low-income individuals

Federal Student Aid (FSA): - Eligible students who are planning to attend college or career school can apply for federally funded financial assistance to help pay for education beyond high school - Visit website to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Federal Student Aid (FSA) Ombudsman Group: - Individuals who have completed an online application, may have a dispute, or believe to have a wrong or incomplete answer from their application submission can reach the FSA Ombudsman group - Help resolve discrepancies with loan balances/payments - Resolve issues with Pell Grant disbursements or overpayments - Explain loan interest and collection charges - Identify options for resolving issues related to consolidation, service quality, default status, bankruptcy, income tax refund offsets, and other concerns - Clarify requirements of loan deferment or forbearance, loan cancellation, or discharge

- Identifying job leads - Interest and skills assessment - Interview skills - Job search assistance - On-the-job training - Professional career planning - Relocation assistance - Resume writing - Tuition and books