Alexandria Ehlert, a student at the College of Menominee Nation, faces uncertainty about completing her studies due to the suspension of a vital scholarship funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant. This grant, supporting about 20 students at the tribal college, was halted as part of cost-cutting measures by the Trump administration, leaving students like Ehlert with limited options for continuing their education.

The situation highlights the financial vulnerability of tribal colleges heavily reliant on federal funding, with many struggling to address maintenance issues on their campuses due to inadequate funding. The freeze on grants administered by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has had a significant impact on tribal colleges’ ability to conduct essential research and educational programs in areas like food security and agriculture.

College presidents express concerns over the lack of communication and clarity from federal agencies regarding the grant suspensions, with some speculating that the targeting of tribal colleges may be linked to the emphasis on equity and inclusion in the 1994 land-grant law. Tribal colleges argue that their funding is protected by treaties and the federal trust responsibility, making the funding cuts illegal and threatening the educational opportunities and resources vital to Indigenous communities.

The College of Menominee Nation, in particular, was in the midst of a transformative $9 million USDA grant aimed at workforce development and improving food access for Indigenous populations. The abrupt suspension of this grant jeopardizes the college’s ability to provide crucial training and support for its students, highlighting the detrimental impact of funding cuts on tribal education and community development efforts.