Cost of college a barrier for Indigenous students

The ever-rising cost of education is a burden on many students, but especially those from Indigenous backgrounds.

That’s according to research conducted by the National Native Scholarships Providers. The study finds cost is the largest barrier preventing Indigenous students from completing degrees.

Cheryl Crazy Bull is with the American Indian College Fund. She says this comes at a direct cost to tribal communities.

South Dakota and other states offer tuition waiver programs for Indigenous students.

The report recommends continued investment in those programs from the government and private sector.

Greater Dakota News Service contributed to this report.