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. 

Eligibility Requirements

The student must meet all of the following:

  1. Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Institution Enrollment
    • Currently enrolled in an NSHE institution
  2. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    • Complete the FAFSA for each year the fee waiver is requested unless exclusively enrolled in dual credit courses.
  3. Minimum GPA Requirement
    • If applicable, have earned a minimum 2.0 GPA immediately prior to the fall/spring semester or summer term at the institution for which the waiver is being requested.
  4. Proof of Tribal Membership or Descendancy
    • Provide proof of membership or proof of descendancy of an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe or nation.
  5. Residency Criteria
    • Meet one of the following:
      1. In-State Resident
        • Classified by an NSHE institution as an in-state resident for tuition purposes.
      2. Native American Tribe or Nation Membership
        • 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 (verification with proof of membership or descendancy).
      3. Resident on Tribal Land in Nevada
        • 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 Requirements

To remain eligible for the fee waiver, the student must meet all of the following: 

  • Complete the FAFSA each year for which the fee waiver is desired unless the student is exclusively enrolled in dual credit courses.
  • If applicable, maintain at least a minimum 2.0 semester grade point average (GPA). 
    • A student with less than the required 2.0 GPA 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 immediately subsequent term or semester.

Residency Requirement

Students meeting the following conditions must also submit the Native American Fee Waiver Residency Affidavit during 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.

How to Apply

Complete the Native American Fee Waiver Form via the Rebel Success Hub.

  • Current Students: Log in with your ACE credentials.
  • Incoming Students: Log in using the same email address and password from your admissions application. If you haven’t started an application or if you applied using the Common App, you can create a profile to log in. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What courses are covered by the fee waiver?

  • 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.

Is this waiver applicable to summer or winter terms? 

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

Will receiving financial aid or taking a student loan affect eligibility for this fee waiver?

  • 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. 

Can a student utilize the fee waiver at multiple NSHE institutions concurrently?

  • 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. 

Does a student receiving only “I” grades meet continuing eligibility?

  • 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. 

Does a student need to resubmit the Native American Fee Waiver form every semester?

  • 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. 

What are the requirements for maintaining eligibility for the fee waiver?

  • 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. 

What happens if a student does not maintain a 2.0 semester grade point average?

  • 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. 

Does a student requesting a waiver for a non-credit course need to have a 2.0 semester GPA? 

  • 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, a lack of a GPA does not prevent the student from being eligible. 

Does a continuing student who is classified as a resident for tuition purposes need to submit residency documentation with the fee waiver form?

  • Continuing students who have already been 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's record for evidence of meeting residency requirements. If this cannot be documented, the institution will follow up with the student to request documentation. 

Who needs to submit a Native American Fee Waiver Residency Affidavit? 

  • 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.

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