Native American Student Services

Native American Event

NSHE Native American Fee Waiver

The Nevada Board of Regents provides a waiver of certain fees related to registration to a Native American student who is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe or nation or who is certified by the enrollment department of such tribe or nation or by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as being a descendant of an enrolled member of such tribe or nation regardless of member status, and who meets certain residency and other eligibility requirements. 

Download and complete the fee waiver form and follow its provided instructions.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for the fee waiver.  

  1. NSHE Institution Enrollment
    Students must apply and be accepted to TMCC before submitting any tribal documents. Do not submit tribal documents when applying for admission. Please submit them after you receive your letter of admission.
  2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    You will not receive the Native American Fee Waiver without an updated FAFSA on file with TMCC. Be sure to designate TMCC on your FAFSA so the College receives your information.
  3. Returning Students' GPA Minimum
    Returning students must have earned a minimum 2.0 semester GPA during the immediately prior fall/spring semester or summer term (I and II together) at the institution for which the waiver is being requested.
  4. Provide Proof of Membership/Descendancy
    Show proof of membership or proof of descendancy of an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe or nation and meet one of the following:
    • Classified by an NSHE institution as an in-state resident for tuition purposes (institution will verify); OR
    • Be a member or descendant of an enrolled member of a federally recognized Native American tribe or nation, all or part of which is located within the boundaries of Nevada (verified with proof of membership or descendancy); OR 
    • Be a resident on tribal land, all or part of which is located within the boundaries of Nevada, whether the student’s actual residence was located within or outside of the boundaries of Nevada and has been a resident for not less than one year (additional documentation required).

Continuing Eligibility

  • Complete the FAFSA each year for which the fee waiver is desired unless you are exclusively enrolled in dual credit courses.
  • If applicable, maintain at least a minimum 2.0 semester GPA. If you have less than the required 2.0 GPA, you may reinstate eligibility by subsequently enrolling without the fee waiver, meeting the GPA requirement, and submitting a new fee waiver form. The fee waiver will then be reinstated for the immediate subsequent term or semester.

Residency Eligibility

  • Students who qualify under "Option A" are automatically considered in-state as these are all of the federally recognized tribes located wholly within or partially in the state of Nevada. The Nevada federally recognized tribes are considered in-state for students automatically.
  • Students who choose "Option B" and has already been classified as a resident for tuition purposes do not need to resubmit residency documentation at the time they submit the waiver form.

Frequently Asked Questions

The fee waiver is applicable to all state-supported and self-supported courses offered by any NSHE institution including, but not limited to:

  • Academic credit-bearing courses that lead to a certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or professional degree;
  • Non-credit courses;
  • Dual and concurrent enrollment courses;
  • Distance education courses; and
  • Continuing and community education courses.

Yes, this waiver is applicable during all academic semesters and terms.

No. The amount of the waiver must be equal to the balance of registration fees, laboratory fees, and other mandatory fees charged, regardless of other financial aid received.

Yes. A student may use the fee waiver at more than one institution at the same time. A separate fee waiver form must be submitted at each institution. Eligibility for the fee waiver will be independently confirmed at each institution.

The fee waiver cannot be granted for the following semester in this circumstance because the student’s eligibility cannot be determined until the letter grades are granted. If, once the grades are recorded, the student is eligible, the waiver may be applied retroactively.

Continuously enrolled students do not need to resubmit the fee waiver form each semester. However, if the student has a break in enrollment, a new fee waiver form must be submitted for the semester or term the student returns.

To remain eligible, the student must maintain a minimum 2.0 semester grade point average during the immediately prior fall/spring semester or summer term at the institution for which the waiver is being requested. In addition, the student must complete the FAFSA for each year the fee waiver is desired, except for students taking only high school dual enrollment courses.

To remain eligible for the fee waiver, students taking courses that are offered for a letter grade must maintain a minimum 2.0 semester grade point average (GPA) during the prior fall/spring semester or summer term of attendance at the institution for which the waiver is being requested. A student with less than the required 2.0 GPA may reinstate eligibility by subsequently enrolling at the same institution without the fee waiver and meeting the GPA requirement. The fee waiver will then be reinstated for the immediately subsequent term or semester.

If a student has previously enrolled in one or more courses offered for a letter grade, they must have earned a minimum 2.0 semester grade point average (GPA) at the institution for which the waiver is being requested. However, lack of a GPA does not prevent the student from being eligible.

Continuing students who have already classified as a resident for tuition purposes do not need to submit residency documentation at the time they submit the fee waiver form. The institution will review the student record for evidence of meeting residency requirements. If this cannot be documented, the institution will follow up with the student to request documentation.

Only a student who meets all the following conditions must submit the affidavit as part of the fee waiver application process:

  • Is a member or descendant of an enrolled member of a tribe or nation that is not located wholly or partially within the state of Nevada;
  • Cannot meet documentation requirements to be classified as a resident for tuition purposes; and
  • Is currently residing on tribal lands located wholly or partially within the state of Nevada, whether the student’s actual residence was located within or outside of the boundaries of Nevada, and has been a resident for not less than one year.

Get To Know TMCC’s Native American Student Advocate

Michelle McCauley Bobadilla

Michelle McCauley Bobadilla is the TMCC Native American Student Advocate and Coordinator for the Equity, Inclusion and Sustainability Office. Her office is located on the Dandini campus in the Diversity and International Student Center Office (DISCO), Red Mountain Building, RDMT 114. She provides support and resources that empower and encourage the TMCC Native American student population.

Michelle McCauley Bobadilla (Washoe/Shoshone/Paiute) was born into the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, a community rich in cultural heritage and surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of Northern Nevada. Her childhood was steeped in the traditions, stories, and values passed down through generations, laying the foundation for a deep connection to her roots. Michelle is a graduate of Edward C. Reed High School in Sparks, Nevada where she received numerous state and local music honors. While pursuing a bachelor’s degree at University of Nevada, Reno, she was often invited to collegiate classrooms in various departments to discuss Native American culture. Upon earning a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies at UNR Michelle was hired in her first official student services role as the Intertribal Higher Education Coordinator where she provided professional presentations to higher education institutions and national/international professional organizations on Native American issues. Throughout her career, Michelle has continuously been a presenter at various Native American youth and educational conferences. She was a key presenter at United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) in 2019,the largest Native American youth conference in the United States.

In 2014 Michelle completed her Master’s Degree in Music Education from UNR and is a recognized expert in the field of music education on Native American music and cultural appropriation. While earning her degrees,  Michelle traveled to compete and participate in Powwows throughout the United States in addition to doing dance performances at various locations.

Since 2018 Michelle has been invested in educating through social media platforms including YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok about American Indian identity and lifeways. She has published her first eBook, titled “Kammu, Kammu” that is specifically designed for general ed classrooms and Numu language educators in Northern Nevada.

Programs and Events

Throughout the year, various Native American Holidays are recognized and events are hosted to honor the Native American Students at TMCC.

  • Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration (October)
  • Native American Heritage Month (November)

View our online calendar for specific dates for these events. 

If you have questions about Native American services or events, please contact us.

TMCC Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) is situated on the traditional homelands of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Wašiw (Washoe), Newe (Western Shoshone), and Nuwu (Southern Paiute) peoples. These lands have been a place of gathering for Indigenous Peoples and we honor the original caretakers. We recognize their deep connections to these places and extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn in this space.