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.
NSHE Institution Enrollment
Students must have applied and been accepted to the University before submitting any tribal documents. Do not submit tribal documents when applying for admission. Please submit them after you receive your letter of admission.
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 the University. Be sure to designate University of Nevada, Reno on your FAFSA so the College receives your information.
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.
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.
To submit your application for the Native American Fee Waiver:
- Email your application, proof of membership or descendancy and proof of residency to nafw@unr.edu.
- Please allow 2 weeks for your application to be processed.
- For assistance, please contact Daphne Emm Hooper.
Download the NSHE Native American Fee Waiver
Download the Fee Waiver Residency Affidavit
Frequently Asked Questions
Download the NSHE Native American Fee Waiver FAQs
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.
The fee waiver is equal to the full amount of registration fees, laboratory fees, and other mandatory fees. However, the following fees are not eligible for the waiver:
- Application Fees
- Electronic Course Materials – You can opt out of this fee in Canvas and acquire the materials elsewhere.
- Graduate Student Health Insurance – This fee can be waived should the student have their own insurance. Check out The Graduate School webpage for options.
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 locatedwholly 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 ofNevada, and has been a resident for not less than one year.