CRIT opens applications for education, job training and tech support

CRIT opened applications May 14 for students, job seekers and families who need help paying for school, upgrading job skills or getting basic technology support on the Colorado River Indian Reservation. The Career Development Office is taking requests for Higher Education, Adult Vocational Training, Student Youth Services, Computer Assistance and Certificate Enhancement funding, with in-person help available in Parker at 1120 W. 16th Street and by phone at (928) 669-5548.

The Higher Education Program is the broadest of the offerings. It uses Tribal and Bureau of Indian Affairs funds to support eligible CRIT tribal members working toward college degrees, with BIA grants aimed at undergraduates and tribal scholarships available for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate fellowship students. Applicants generally must be enrolled CRIT members, meet the 2.25 GPA or GED threshold for new applicants, and submit an official transcript for continuing college work. Graduate and postgraduate applicants need a bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Fall semester applications are due June 30, while spring semester applications are due Oct. 30.

Adult Vocational Training is aimed at residents pursuing a certificate, diploma or Associate of Applied Science degree at an accredited vocational school. The program runs at least six weeks and can last as long as 24 months. Eligible applicants must be CRIT members, have a high school diploma or GED, be admitted to an accredited training facility and file for FAFSA. The office also says start dates should be about 60 days after the deadline, with June 30 and Oct. 30 listed as the standard filing dates.

The smaller support programs can make the difference for families trying to stay connected to school and work. The Computer Assistance Program offers up to $1,000 for eligible students in good academic standing who are in their second consecutive year of funding or fifth year, are not on probation or suspension, and meet GPA rules of at least 2.5 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduate students. It is first come, first served, and recipients must turn in a receipt within 10 business days. The Certificate Enhancement Program offers up to $1,500 for applicants enrolled in a certificate program, also on a first come, first served basis until funds run out.

CRIT’s broader employment and education network adds another layer of support. The tribe’s Employment Development & Training Program says it maintains a 14-computer lab, online job-search tools, resume software, training and retraining information, unemployment-insurance access by phone and GED preparation. Michael Drennan Jr. is listed as director of the CRIT Education Department, underscoring that the reservation is still using its own offices to keep school, training and technology access within reach for La Paz County households.