The first buildings on the UMN Morris campus housed an American Indian boarding school. Administered by the Sisters of Mercy order of the Catholic Church and later by the United States government, the boarding school closed in 1909. The campus was then transferred to the State of Minnesota with the stipulation that American Indian students “shall at all times be admitted to such school free of charge for tuition.”
In accordance with the American Indian tuition waiver, UMN Morris continues to admit American Indian students who qualify for admission on the same basis as other students free of charge for tuition, as mandated in federal law and state statute.
For the purposes of this waiver, “American Indian” is defined as
- an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe, Alaskan Native Village, or Canadian First Nation;
- a direct descendant of a parent or grandparent who is an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe, Alaskan Native Village, or Canadian First Nation; or
- a direct descendant of a tribally verified member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe, Alaskan Native Village, or Canadian First Nation, other than parent or grandparent.
Note: American Indian students do not need to establish residence on trust lands or be Minnesota residents.