Title 25 — IndiansRelease 119-73
§278a Use of appropriated funds for education in sectarian schools prohibited; exceptions
Title 25 › Chapter CHAPTER 7— - EDUCATION OF INDIANS › § 278a
Summary
Money given on or after March 30, 1968 to the Interior Department for educating Indian children cannot pay for K–12 religious schools. Accredited colleges and vocational schools are allowed; scholarships cannot force attendance and should, when possible, go to the student.
Full Legal Text
Title 25, §278a
Indians — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Funds appropriated on and after March 30, 1968, to the Secretary of the Interior for the education of Indian children shall not be used for the education of such children in elementary and secondary education programs in sectarian schools. This prohibition shall not apply to the education of Indians in accredited institutions of higher education and in other accredited schools offering vocational and technical training, but no scholarship aid provided for an Indian student shall require him to attend an institution or school that is not of his own free choice, and such aid shall be, to the extent consistent with sound administration, extended to the student individually rather than to the institution or school.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
25 U.S.C. § 278a
Title 25 — Indians
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73