DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 


ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATION 


WASHINGTON DC 20420 


MAY 2 8 2010 

Ms. Pamela G. DeRensis 

Executive Director 

White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges 

and Universities 

Department of Education 

1990 K Street, NW, Room 7010 

Washington, DC 20006 

Dear Ms. DeRensis: 

Enclosed is a copy of the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Annual 

Performance Report on Executive Agency Actions to Assist Tribal Colleges and 

Universities (TCUs), Fiscal Year (FY) 2009. In FY 2009 VA awarded $2,205,543 

to TCUs. 

VA fully supports Executive Order 13270 and will continue to champion 

education, training, internships, and employment opportunities in the Native 

American and Alaska Native Communities. 

Questions regarding this submission should be directed to Ms. Tinisha 

Agramonte, Director, Outreach and Retention, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, 

at (202) 461-4131. 

Sincerely yours, 

Enclosure 
Department of Veterans Affairs 

Federal Agency Awards to Tribal Colleges and Universities 

FY 2009 

Executive Summary: 

VA's goal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 was to improve our ability to recruit American 

Indian/Alaskan Natives into our workforce after they completed their training by 

offering fellowships and internships, and pursuing affiliation efforts with Tribal 

Colleges and Universities. The Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) continues 

to provide student tuition assistance to Veterans who are attending Tribal 

Colleges and Universities. The amount actually funded was a bit less than the 

plan because there was a drop in applications for tuition assistance under the GI 

bill. VA will continue to promote fellowships, scholarships, and internships as 

well as encourage Veterans to apply for tuition assistance. 

Comparison of FY performance to FY plan: 

The actual funding in FY 2009 does not match the FY plan; it is lower. Several 

reporting units misunderstood the purpose of the plan and inserted the amount 

they expected to give to all Institutions of Higher Education instead of limiting it to 

the amount for Tribal Colleges and Universities. This situation will be rectified 

and a corrected FY 2010 and 2011 Plan will be submitted at a later date. The 

other reason for the reduction is that there were fewer applications for funding, 

and the number of veterans and dependents eligible for the GI bill decreased 

from 420 individuals in FY 2008 to 382 in FY 2009. 

Programs that show specific benefit to TCUs: 

VA has three major components: The Veterans Health Administration, the 

Veterans Benefit Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration. 

They each reported separately. A summary of each report follows: 

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) supports and implements employment 

initiatives, internship programs, and academic affiliations through student 

internship programs, attendance at various recruitment forums, conferences, 

education and training programs for students, including those at TCUs. 

VHA's Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Employment Team (EEO/AET) 

has developed and begun an employment initiative with the Department of 

Health and Human Services' Indian Health Service. The work plan for this 

initiative includes strategies to increase the number of American Indians and 

Alaska Natives in VHA's workforce. The EEO/AET will continue to work with 

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Indian Health Services and make adjustments to the work plan as goals are 

accomplished and initiatives are developed. 

The Student Educational Employment Program (SEEP) provides opportunities 

for undergraduate and graduate students in high-demand career fields to obtain 

work experience while pursuing their academic degree. During FY 2009, total 

funding from VHA's Healthcare Retention and Recruitment Office (HRRO) to 

institutions of higher education was $1.412,030.408 and funding of awards to 

TCU students was $237,680. (This amount is not included on Attachment C.) 

This funding supported a total of 40 Native American students (22 were funded 

under Education Department Reduction Program, seven funded under the VA 

National Education for Employees Program, and 11 were funded under the 

National Nursing Education Incentive program). 

VHA's Office of Academic Affiliations (OM) continues to provide clinical training 

experience to students who attend TCUs. This program does not provide awards 

to colleges, universities or students;.however, it provides direct support to VA 

facilities for students receiving training in VA and salary and fringe benefits paid 

directly to trainees. Indirect support is the reported cost by VA Medical Centers 

for VA staff who are instructors for trainees, and other administrative costs 

associated with the training program. The majority of students who participate in 

training at VA facilities are not paid a salary, they are on a "without 

compensation" (WOC) basis, but there are indirect costs associated with the 

training programs. During FY 2009, OM total funding (direct and in-direct cost) 

awarded to institutions of higher education was $1,383,347,000. OM total 

funding awards to TCU (direct and indirect cost) was $49.468. 

The Office of Research and Development (ORD) in VHA supports activities that 

help the VA better understand and serve diverse racial and ethnic groups, 

including American Indians and Alaska Natives. Because ORD does not have 

granting authority, TCUs do not receive research grants through ORD. However, 

ORD does study issues specific to Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Four 

recent publications in this area include: 

• 	 Two studies on Native American Veterans health care utilization at VA and 

through the Indian Health Service (IHS). 

• 	 Two studies on how women Native Americans and Alaska Natives approach 

their health care both at the VA and IHS. 

ORD continues to support collaborative efforts by VA and the IHS to improve 

access and health outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans. 

ORD has established a Center of Excellence devoted to research on health 

equity and health disparities as a research priority. Research emphasis is placed 

on health care systems management; informatics and educational tools that help 

tailor health care to meet the needs of all groups including minorities. 

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During FY 2009, the Veterans Health Administration's HRRO and OM actual 

funding to TCUs totaled $287,140. HRRO contributed $237,680 and OM 

contributed $49,468. 

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) does not establish funding goals or 

measurable objectives for TCUs or any other educational institutions under VA's 

educational assistance program. Education benefit payments are made directly 

to Veterans and their dependents based on eligibility. These payments help to 

defray the cost of tuition and fees. Additionally, VBA participates in numerous 

outreach programs to assist eligible Veterans and their dependents with 

maximizing the use of their education benefits. VBA makes payments to TCUs in 

the form of reporting fees. These fees are based on a formula and are paid to 

TCUs to cover administrative costs for processing reports and certifications of 

veteran enrollment, pursuant to Title 38 U.S.C., Section 3684 [c]. 

Educational assistance payments awarded to eligible beneficiaries attending 

TCUs decreased from $2,071,890 in FY 2008 to $1,915,489 in FY 2009. The 

number of eligible veterans and dependents enrolled at TCUs decreased from 

420 in FY 2008 to 382 in FY 2009. The decrease in educational assistance 

payments is attributed to a decrease in the number of students that enrolled at 

TCUs. The amount of reporting fees paid to TCUs decreased from $3,190 in 

FY 2008 to $2,906 in FY 2009. 

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) continued their partnership with the 

Washington Internship for Native Students (WINS). This program gives the 

interns an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and promotes VA as an 

employer of choice. An outreach effort was conducted at the National Congress 

of American Indian Convention, which allowed the opportunity to distribute 

information and respond to questions about NCA. 

NCA is developing an outreach program initiative to visit and establish points of 

contact with TCUs located in three of NCA's Memorial Service Networks. This 

initiative will allow NCA to establish a relationship with the college or university 

and offer American Indian and Alaskan Native college students a unique 

opportunity to live, study and intern in Washington, DC. 

Funding was not awarded directly to any of the tribal colleges by NCA in 

FY 2009. However, through the WINS internship program, NCA provided a total 

of $19,800 to two student interns enrolled in the summer session. FY 2009 

funding by NCA for student intern positions increased from $155,000 in FY 2008 

to $188,295 in FY 2009. 

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NOTE: FY 2009 PLAN Correction 

1) Projected Funding for Program ($64,363) correction 

There was a misunderstanding; recruitment advertisements in American Indian 

and general minority publications were included under Projected Funding for 

Program for promoting a system-wide comprehensive program for recruiting 

personnel in scarce professions and career fields. 

2) Projected Funding for Program ($3,867,402) correction 

The amount spent in FY 2009 as listed on this report ($2,906) is lower than the 

FY 2009 plan because a projection for all IHEs was mistakenly inserted under 

Projected Funding for Program for Direct Institutional Subsidies (for the GI bill). 

3) Projected Funding for Program ($2,505,419,738) correction 

The amount spent in FY 2009 as listed on this report ($1,915,489) is lower than 

the FY 2009 plan because a projection for alilHEs was mistakenly inserted 

under Projected Funding for Program for Student Tuition Assistance (for the GI 

bill). 

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B. SUMMARY OF TOTAL AGENCY AWARDS, BY CATEGORY: FY 2009 

1. Agency/Organization: Department of Veterans Affairs 

2. Name, Title, Phone, Fax, and E-mail address of agency representative preparing 

report: 

Name: Tinisha Agramonte 

Title: Director, Outreach and Retention 

Office of Diversity and Inclusion 


Phone: (202) 461-4131 Fax: (202) 501-2145 


E-mail: Tinisha.Agramonte@va.gov 


3. FY 2009 Total Funding for all Institutions of Higher Education: $4,089,951,260 

Category 

1. Research & 

Development 

2. Direct Institutional 

Subsidies 

3. Program Evaluation 

4. Training and Technical 

Assistance 

5. Facilities & Equipment 

6. Fellowships, 

Internships, Recruitment, 

I PAs 

7. Student Tuition 

Assistance, Scholarships, 

and Other Aid 

8. Economic Development 

9. Administrative 

Infrastructure 

10. Third Party Awards 

11. Private Sector 

Involvement 

12. Other Activities 

Total 

John U. Sepulveda 

Assistant Secretary 

Total $ Awards to 


IHE+ 


$3,869,205 

$1,412,030,408 

$2,672,668,300 

$4,088,567,913 

for Human Resources and 

Administration 

Agency Head (Typed) 

Total $ Award to % of Awards to TCUs 

TCUs 

$2,906 .08% 

$237,680 .02% 

$1,964,957 .07% 

$2,205,543 .05% 

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Attachment C 


Summary of FY09 Agency Awards to Individual Tribal Colleges and Universities 


U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 

Fellowships, Student Tuition 

Direct Training & Internships, AsSistance, P

Research & Institutional Program Technical Facilities & Recruitment, Scholar.lhips and Economic Administrative Third Party S

T,' Coli

. 

­ U' -

.. _------­ itie ST DeveloPlTlent ----,.-.. Subsid' Evaluatio, Assista, -_.- Eauipment .,_.,.-' .. _.. IPAs Other Aid Development Infrastructure _.. - Awards. 

BAY MILLS COMMUNITI COLLEGE MI $760 $414,001 

BLACKFEET COMMUNITI COLLEGE MT $0 $99,6B3 

CANKDESKA CIKANA COMMUNITI COLLEGE NO $21 $29,826 

CHEYNNE RIVER COMMUNITI COLLEGE SO $0 $0 

CHIEF DULL KNIFE COLLEGE MT $0 $0 

COLLEGE OF MENOMINEE NATION WI $98 $65,057 

CROWNPOINT INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NM $56 $14,566 

DINE COLUEGE flZ $210 $lBO,171 

[).Q UNIVERSITY CA $0 $0 

DULL KNIFE MEMORIAL COLUEGE MT $0 $5,108 FOND OU LAC TRIBAL & COMMUNITY COLLEGE MN $385 $190,015 

FORT 8ELKNAP COLLEGE MT $0 $5,902 

FORT BERTHOLD COMMUNITY COLLEGE NO $35 $13,940 

FORT PECK COMMUNITY COLLEGE MT $70 $39,320 

HASKELL INDIAN NATIONS UNIVERSITI KS $0 $3,126 

IUSAGVlK COLLEGE AI( $0 $0 INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS NM $63 $49,136 

KEWEENAW BAY OJIBWA COMMUNITI COLLEGE MI $0 

LAC COURTE OREiLLES OJIBWA CDMM. COLLEGE WI $0 $0 

UEECH LAKE TRIBAL COLLEGE MN $70 $36,037 

LITTlE BIG HORN COLUEGE MT $0 $23,857 

UTTUE PRIEST TRIBAL COLUEGE NE $0 $0 

MONTANA CONSORTIUM MT $0 $0 

N.D. ASSOCIATION OF TRIBAL COLLEGES NO $0 $0 NEBRASKA INDIAN COMMUNITI COLLEGE NE $0 $0 

NORTHWEST INDIAN COLUEGE WA $210 $153,833 

OGLALA LAKOTA COLLEGE SO $417 $272,443 

SAGINAW CHIPPEWA TRIBAL COLLEGE MI $0 $0 

SAUSH KOOTENAI COLLEGE MT $0 $53 

SI TANKAiHURON UNIVERSITI SO $0 $0 

SINTE GUESKA UNIVERSITY SO $126 $56,850 

SISSETON WAHPETON COMMUNITI COLLEGE SO $77 $46,379 

SITTING BULL COLLEGE NO $0 $1,548 

SOUTHWESTERN INDIAN POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE NM $147 $113,034 

STONE CHILO COLUEGE MT $28 $30,848 

TOHONO O'ODHAM COMMUNITI COLLEGE flZ $0 $0 

TURTUE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITI COLLEGE NO $0 $46,896 

UNITED TRIBES TECHNICAL COLLEGE NO $133 $73,328 

WHITE EARTH TRl8AL AND COMMUNITI COLUEGE MN $0 $0 

Category Totals: $2,906 $1,964,957 

Notes: Educational Assistance Payments=$1,967,863 

Reporting Fee Payments=$2,906 

Total Educational Payments and Fees=$1,964,957 

Name of Agency Liaison: Tinisha Agramonte Title: Director, Outreach and Retention Email: Tinisha.Agramonte@va.gov Phone: 202-461-4030 Fax: 202-501-2145 

Signature of Agency Head: 

Sf'll 

'tary for Human Resources and Administration