Native American Tuition Waiver

Native students using the Native American Tuition Waiver to participate in FLC's engineering program, working in lab

Fort Lewis College offers a tuition waiver for enrolled citizens or the children of an enrolled citizen of an American Indian Tribal Nation or Alaska Native Village recognized by the U.S. federal government.

The NATW only covers the tuition costs for undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree-seeking students.

*Students remain responsible for fees, housing, meals, books, and other educational expenses. The NATW cannot be combined with FLC merit tuition scholarships.

Cost savings in 2026-27 with the NATW

$0
tuition for NATW students.

$8,328
tuition for in-state students

$21,024
tuition for out-of-state students

 

 
Learn more about FLC costs and fees

How to receive a NATW

Apply to FLC

Be accepted as a student to FLC to begin the NATW process.

*Colorado residents: The NATW covers the cost of in-state tuition. Make sure you apply for in-state tuition through the Colorado Opportunity Fund.

Undergraduate students

Undergraduate students show eligibility for the NATW by being:

  • An enrolled Tribal citizen

Provide your tribal enrollment documentation (both sides of your tribal enrollment card, CIB, or an official verification letter from your tribe with your enrollment number) to your Admission Portal.

Upload documentation

  • Descended from an enrolled Tribal citizen

Complete the Affirmation of Descendancy form and include your parents' tribal enrollment documentation.

Download the Affirmation of Descendancy form

Graduate students

Graduate students submit their NATW documentation through the Graduate Studies application process.

Additional financial resources

Tribal agency scholarships

Contact your tribal agency to find out how to apply for additional financial assistance. Most tribal agencies require students to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit a Financial Need Analysis (FNA) form. The Financial Aid Office completes the FNA once your FAFSA is processed.

The FAFSA takes time to process, so please complete it before submitting your FNA request. If your agency permits, we can share budget forecasts with them for students who still need a complete financial aid file.

The Native American Center

Find additional scholarship opportunities through our Native American Center (NAC). The NAC also provides community, tutoring, and campus cultural events.

A brief history of the NATW

Fort Lewis College proudly honors a historic promise that began over a century ago. When the federal government transferred the original Fort Lewis site to Colorado, it came with a powerful condition: Native American students must always be admitted tuition-free and treated equally. That promise remains at the heart of who we are. Today, that promise lives on through the NATW. More than 248 Native American Tribes and Alaska Native Villages have been represented at FLC, with students earning degrees across all areas of study without paying tuition.