Judgment Fund Programs
2007 W. Wrangler Blvd.
Seminole, OK 74868
Phone: (877) 382-0549 | (405) 382-0549
Fax: (405) 382-0571
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. for lunch |
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On September 12, 1990 the General Council approved a plan for use of the Judgment Fund Award. This plan, identified as the Usage Plan, states the monies shall be used to establish tribal programs and services for the people. (Title 18-A of the Code of Laws, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma).
It is the General Council's responsibility to develop an annual budget for funding all programs and services. It should be noted that the principle amount cannot fall below $35 million unless approved by two-thirds of qualified voters in a referendum election.
What types of Judgment Fund programs are available?
| Effective Date |
Programs |
| May 15, 1991 |
Burial Assistance |
| July 01, 1991 |
Elderly Assistance |
| August 15, 1991 |
School Clothing Assitance |
| September 01, 1991 |
Higher Ed/Vocational Scholarship Act |
| January 01, 1993 |
Household Economic Assistance Program |
The Seminole Nation will continue to operate each program form year to year, providing that sufficient funds are available and the General Council budgets the funds for the programs. Programs are not designated to provide benefits to each individual each year. Instead, the programs have a limit for the amount of assistance, which may be recieved by an individual.
Who is eligible for Judgment Fund program benefits?
In order to recieve judgment fund program benefits, a person must:
1. Be an enrolled memeber of the Seminole Nation; and
2. Be determined to have descended from a member of the Seminole Nation as it existed in Florida on September 18, 1823
In addition to these basic requirements, each program has its own eligibility requirements. |
Retta Brennan
Coordinator
Elderly and HEAP Programs
Charlotte Harjo
Accounting Assistant
Higher Ed/Vocational Programs
April Harjo
Account Clerk I
Clothing & Burial Programs
Sherri Barber
Lead Accountant
Kristy Hulbutta
Receptionist |
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What are the benefits and requirements for each program? |
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The School Clothing Program provides a grant to the parent/legal guardian of a student pre-enrolled or enrolled in and attending school. The student must be between the ages of four and nineteen years of age. Students are eligible to recieve one school clothing assistance payment per school year. Pre-K through 5th grad will recieve $150, and 6th grade through 12th grade will recieve $250.
Applications may be requested between the months of July 01 through October 31, and are only available for download during that time. |
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Download as an Adobe PDF File | Download in Microsoft Word |
Household Economic Assistance Program
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The Household Economic Assistance Program (HEAP) provides financial assistance per person with a one-time payment of $1,000, to eligible tribal members who reach the age of 21 years. |
Download as an Adobe PDF File | Download in Microsoft Word |
Elderly Assistance Program
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The Elderly Assistance Program will provide financial assistance to persons who are at least 62 years of age with a one-time payment of $2,000. |
Download as an Adobe PDF File | Download in Microsoft Word |
Burial Assistance Program
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The Burial Assistance Program provides a grant for funeral expenses of eligible deceased tribal members. In some cases the deceased may be eligible for benefits even thought they were not a tribal member at the time of death, such as persons eligible for membership who had membership applications pending and children eligible for membership under the age of one year.
The grant amount for a stillborn or deceased under the age of one year old is the actual cost of the funeral expense not to exceed $800. The grant amount for a deceased over the age of one year is $3,000, unless the deceased was creamated, in which case the grant amount shall be in the amount of the actual cost of the burial, not to exceed $3000. A grant of $300 will also be paid to the responsible member of the family to cover miscellaneous funeral expenses.
Applications must be made within ninety (90) days from the date of death of the deceased. |
Download as an Adobe PDF File | Download in Microsoft Word |
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The Higher Education and Vocational Training Scholarship Act (HEVT Program) provides assistance to eligible members attending vocational school, pursuing an undergraduate degree, or pursuing an advanced degree. A student who is pursuing an undergraduate degree or an advanced degree must maintain a 2.0 grade point average to recieve the grant award. The HEVT program applicant must also meet other special eligibility requirements. These eligibility requirements are contained on the HEVT Program application form.
Vocational School Awards
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Total of all Vocational Scholarship Awards shall not exceed $2400
- Stipends are determined by the status of the student, (Full-Time, Part-Time). See application
- A student will be awarded for actual cost of tuition, books and fees not to exceed $1200 which will be made payable to the school if application is made prior to the date class begins.
- Students who apply after the class(es) began will be reimbursed for actual cost of tuition, books and fees not to exceed $1200.
- Students will be awarded $100, or the actual cost, whichever is less, to obtain a license upon completion of a vocational course.
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Download as an Adobe PDF File | Download in Microsoft Word |
Undergraduate Scholarship Awards
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The total of all Undergraduate Degree Scholarship awards to an applicant shall not exceed $5,600.
Full-time students payments will be determinded according to their status (ex: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) and according to class schedule. (Semester, Trimester, or Quarter.) See back of application.
Part-time students will recieve $300 per semester, $200 per trimester, $150 per quarter, or the actual cost of tuition, books and fees, whichever is less. |
Download as an Adobe PDF File | Download in Microsoft Word |
Incentive Award
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In addition to a standard award, an incentive award is available to eligible undergraduate students. An applicant must carry twelve (12) credit hours or equivalent course credit earned toward a degree and have at least a current 3.5 GPA; or fifteen (15) credit hours or equivalent course credit earned toward a degree and have at least a current 3.0 GPA.
An applicant must apply after each grading period (semester, trimester, or quarter). Total of all Incentive Awards shall not exceed $4000. Amount of awards depends on status of grade period. See back of application. |
Download as an Adobe PDF File | Download in Microsoft Word |
Advance Degree / Post-Graduate Continuing Education Award
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The total award amounts for Advanced Degree and Required Post-Advanced Degree Continuing Education shall not exceed $5100.
A person who has earned a bachelor's degree an is in pursuit of a masters degree, PH.D, Juris Doctorate degree, medical degree, pharmacist degree, or other similar type of advanced degree that is an educational program offered by an institute of higher learning.
Required Post-graduate continuing education consists of ongoing education activities, including short courses and seminars for (1) a person who possesses a degree, who is in a teaching profession or other profession requiring a degree, and who is required to engage in continuing education related to their profession by licensing requirements or other similar regulatory requirements, or a person who is in pursuit of an additional degree. |
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Deadlines are listed on applications |
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