BUSH ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $5 MILLION TO TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, MT Receives $750,000

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today awarded $5 million to seven Native American colleges and universities to expand, renovate, and equip their own facilities, to improve student housing, and to support construction of new facilities.

The funding announced today is provided through HUD's Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP)(http://www.oup.org/programs/aboutTCUP.asp). Most of these institutions serve remote areas and a growing
number of local residents depend heavily on the education, counseling, health, and employment services they offer.

"These institutions of higher learning are critical to the health and vitality of their communities," said Preston. "HUD and these tribal colleges and universities are working hand-in-hand to improve their facilities so they can continue
to be a vital resource for their students, faculty and the communities they serve."

The following tribal colleges and universities were awarded funding:

The Tribal Colleges and Universities Program is one of several initiatives administered by HUD's Office of University Partnerships (OUP). Established in 1994, OUP is a catalyst for partnering colleges and universities with their communities in a shared search for answers to pressing urban problems. More information about OUP and its
programs is available on the Internet (www.oup.org).

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet
and espanol.hud.gov.

FY 2008 Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) Awardees

Salish Kootenai College - $750,000

Salish Kootenai College intends to use its Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) grant to build a new
campus bookstore. The bookstore will replace the oldest building on campus, a 42-year-old dilapidated tin roof and siding structure. The proposed facility will provide increased space for shipping, receiving, offices, student activities, retail merchandise, and academic and reference books. The new bookstore will serve more than 7,000 low-income Indian students, faculty, administrators, staff, and low- to moderate-income Indian community members each year
for the next 20 years.