Federal funding for tribal colleges in Montana is set to increase significantly for the 2025 fiscal year, following a period of uncertainty and confusion over budget allocations. This boost is expected to provide much-needed support for these institutions, which play a crucial role in their communities.
“We were freaking out,” expressed Cory Sangrey-Billy, President of Stone Child College, highlighting the initial concerns. Montana is home to seven tribal colleges, the highest number in any state, out of the 35 across the nation. Collectively, these colleges are anticipated to receive $108 million, approximately double the previous year’s funding.
Budget planning has commenced at Stone Child College in Box Elder and other tribal colleges within the state. The enhanced funding is seen as a significant development, with education leaders in Montana emphasizing the positive economic impact of such federal investments. According to a study by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, tribal colleges in Montana contributed $332.2 million to the economy in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
“There is a value to what we bring to the table,” Sangrey-Billy stated. The Consortium, based in Alexandria, Virginia, aims to amplify the voices of tribal colleges and universities. A statement on its website praised the increased investment by the Trump administration, describing it as progress towards fulfilling federal obligations to Tribal Nations and setting a new precedent for investing in Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).
The Consortium noted that part of the increase in funds came from reductions in other federal programs supporting Native American and Alaska Native students at non-tribal colleges. It called for a commitment to support all Native students in their post-secondary education endeavors.
While Stone Child College has yet to receive the funds, Sangrey-Billy mentioned potential allocations for infrastructure, such as a new roof, or for educational support initiatives like student retention programs. College leaders are excited about the financial boost and eager to demonstrate its return on investment to the community.
The economic impact report, titled “Building Local Economies of Scale,” evaluates the benefits of tribal colleges in Montana. It highlights significant contributions such as a $47.1 million payroll, much of which is spent locally on essential goods and services. “We can only get a few groceries out there so we have to go to Havre (or Great Falls). The economic impact that we have there is big,” Sangrey-Billy noted.
The report also reveals that TCUs generate more in national tax revenue than they receive. For every dollar of public money invested in Montana’s tribal colleges, national taxpayers see a return of $1.40 over a student’s lifetime, while state taxpayers gain $12.40. Additionally, the societal benefits are estimated at $500.8 million, comprising increased student and business income and avoided costs.
Brad Hall, President of Blackfeet Community College in Browning, emphasized the importance of educating new federal administrations about the value of tribal colleges, especially as changes in the White House can influence objectives. After meeting with federal education leaders in Washington, D.C., Hall found them receptive. “Now that we’re getting to the table and talking more, there’s a willingness to hear what we absolutely need,” Hall said.
Hall clarified that tribal colleges are not diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, as the Trump administration has moved to roll back such efforts. Instead, these colleges are tribally chartered, with the federal government having a fiduciary responsibility to support them. The advocacy efforts, though time-consuming, are crucial for securing baseline funding amid uncertain budget cycles.
Montana’s tribal college alumni contributed $258.6 million in added income to the state in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, equivalent to 4,017 jobs, according to the report by the Consortium, conducted with Lightcast. “We’re not institutions that just take,” Hall asserted. “We’re institutions that are absolutely vital and contributing to the communities that we serve.”
