Educational Excellence Initiative
The Educational Excellence Initiative (EEI) is designed to encourage Pokagon Band students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade to strive for educational excellence, to attend school regularly, and to improve their academic performance. This “Invest in You” program allows citizens to increase funding for educational programs they frequently use, thereby increasing their knowledge, skills and ability to flourish in post-secondary educational institution.
Eligibility: (must be the following criteria):
- Grades for entire school year
- Enrolled Pokagon citizen
- Attend Kindergarten - 12th grade
- Current Educational release on file
- Educational Excellence Initiative Pre-application form
- Diplomas for Seniors
- Additional documents as requested
Time Frame:
- Deadline to receive report cards is September 1st
- All money earned from previous school year must be used for another program August 1st - July 31st
- *The Academic year is changing for 2024-2025, it will be July 1st - June 30th.
Funding & Resources Offered:
Funding amounts are available according to the following:
These supplemental funds will be added to another educational program such as: Enrichment Program, Special Requests, and Tutoring (unless student is a senior, then they will get a check). In addition, funds may be used for the Youth Transportation IDA offered through Chi Ishobak starting when the child turns 13 years old.
* A conversion scale is used for those not receiving letter grade
Homeschool students - Are required to do a service-learning project if the curriculum isn't formalized through a group, school, or agency in which grades are reported. A service-learning project or detailed homeschool information is required for all homeschool students to be eligible for the EEI program. Please contact The Department of Education to verify if you will need a service-learning project or to get the criteria for the service-learning project. All submissions are due by October 1st for the previous school year.
Youth Transportation IDA
Tribal youth between the ages of 13 and 17 are able to take advantage of a 1:1 match rate from Chi Ishobak for monthly savings contributions up to $25 for the purchase of an automobile.
This program has a potential 60-month savings period which could result in $3,000 ($1,500 participant savings & $1,500 match funds) total savings for a new car. Teen Financial Wellness education is the second requirement to receive matching funds. This program helps our youth to create pathways to financial well-being, establish banking relationships, and empower the accomplishment of goals.
An account with Chi Ishobak must be opened prior to funds being transferred over.
Forms Required:
- Educational Excellence Initiative Program Application
- Ed. Release Form
- At the end of the school year, a student/parent must submit a copy of the students’ report card (with all marking periods, or semesters). If the report card does not show attendance, student/parent must also submit an attendance record. If the student does not receive a “letter” grade, student must also submit a grading scale.
- High School Diploma (for seniors)
- SAT or ACT test scores (one per year)
- Those homeschooled will need to complete a service learning project which must be completed by the October 1st deadline.
- Consideration of IEP, 504 Plans, Professional Documentation will be considered if submitted
* If a child was absent due to having COVID or being quarantined those won’t be counted against them. If the school put those absences on the report card, we will need documentation to show that those absences were due to COVID. Some schools may have automatically put the absences under excused absences.