IKEEP Details and Related Resources
Program Details
The benefits of IKEEP participation include:
Financial Aid
- Tuition support
- Out-of-state tuition waiver (MOU tribal members)
- Monthly living stipend for qualifying individuals
- Stipends for program travel
- Assistance with books & teaching materials
Teacher Preparation Support
- Collaborate with Indigenous serving school districts
- Promote innovative trends in tribal education
- Specialized academic advising
- Tutoring
- Indigenous centered coursework
- In-service/pre-service mentorship by indigenous teachers
- Participation in regional/national Indian Education conferences
- Attend American Indian Language Development Institute
Post-Graduation Support
- Support continued up to two years after graduating, such as:
- High-quality mentoring, coaching and consultation services for IKEEP teachers
- Feedback sessions on performance
- Periodic meetings or seminars to enhance collaboration, feedback and support
- Access to research materials and information on teaching and learning
- Support accessing induction services from local districts/tribal education agencies
- Enrolled member or descendant of a federally or state recognized tribe
- Are enrolled (or be eligible to enroll) in pre-service teacher training via a BS or Master's of Education program at the University of Idaho
- Be able to complete teacher training program within two years so you can access two years of induction services post-graduation
If you're interested in applying to IKEEP, reach out to IKEEP staff as the first step in your application process. We recommend contacting IKEEP as soon as possible.
Step 1
Contact the IKEEP office in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, University of Idaho College of Education by email (acomojacobson@uidaho.edu), phone (208-885-0175), or in-person (ED 203).
Step 2
Complete the online IKEEP application. IKEEP is not accepting applications at this time. Application info will be posted during the next recruitment season, TBD. Please contact the program manager if you would like further information in the meantime.
Step 3
Complete and submit admission application to the University of Idaho (applies to transfer students and Master’s + Certification students)
Step 4
Complete your FAFSA.
For more information or apply for aid, visit the University of Idaho financial aid page.
Step 5
Complete and submit application to Teacher Preparation (selecting your certification program).
FAQ
You can earn a:
- Bachelor’s of Elementary Education
- Bachelor's of Secondary Education
- Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction Plus Certification in an endorsed content area of Secondary Education
- Tuition support
- Out-of-state tuition waiver (MOU tribal members)
- Monthly living stipend for qualifying individuals
- Stipends for program travel
- Assistance with books & teaching materials
Yes.
However, consider the implications of full-time coursework. It is strongly advised that you work no more than 20 hours/week during your IKEEP studies.
Depends.
- Master’s Plus Certification candidates may complete course work mostly online.
- Bachelor’s candidates must be in Moscow.
- Hybrid and distance options can be addressed on an individual basis.
Yes.
IKEEP will offset the cost of your education.
- Depending on student need (determined by FAFSA application), students should apply for additional financial aid.
- IKEEP supports scholars to apply for tribal and competitive scholarships to supplement education costs.
Yes.
IKEEP offers a loan-for-service. This means you pay back the loan by teaching in a school with a significant Native American student population on a month-to-month basis of services received from IKEEP (about 22 months of teaching). If you are unable to complete work-related payback, you must pay back the federal government the cash equivalent of services received.
Upon becoming certified to teach, IKEEP will help you seek placement in a qualifying school with a significant population of Native American students to begin your payback through teaching service.
Qualifying schools:
- listed by school (PDF)
- listed by district (PDF)
IKEEP will support you for two years of induction services, meaning IKEEP will fund, during your first two years of teaching:
- mentoring
- teaching resources
- additional support networks
The classes, workshops, mentorship and community offered through IKEEP strive to build and empower your capacity to be a culturally responsive Indigenous educator. You will earn a teaching certification, but beyond that, you will be prepared to sustain and revitalize Indigenous ways of knowing in the classroom and to meet the unique needs of Native learners.
- Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in WA State
- Indian Education for All (Montana)
- Tribal History/Shared History (Oregon)
- Indigenous Teacher Education is Nation Building pdf
- Indigenous Teacher Mentorship in the Rural West pdf
- Everyday Acts of Nation Building pdf
- Tribal Nation Building and the Role of Faculty pdf