The Johnson-O'Malley Program is authorized by the Johnson-O'Malley Act of 1934, and the implementing regulations are provided in Part 273 of Title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations. As amended, this Act authorizes contracts for the education of eligible Indian students enrolled in public and previously private schools. This local program is operated under an educational plan approved by the BIE, which contains educational objectives to address the needs of eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students. The Johnson-O'Malley Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act (JOM Modernization Act) became Public Law 115-404 on December 31, 2018.
Johnson O’Malley programs offered to American Indian and Alaska Native students vary and may include cultural, language, academics, and dropout prevention programs.
Johnson-O’Malley funds under this program may not be used for capital expenditures. Eligible applicants are tribal organizations, Indian corporations, school districts, or States with eligible American Indian and Alaska Native children attending their schools or public school districts that have established Indian Education Committees to approve supplementary support programs that benefit American Indians and Alaska Native students. Eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students have enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe or at least one-fourth or more degree of Indian blood descendant of a member of a federally recognized Indian tribal government eligible for services from the Bureau. In addition, eligibility requires these children to be between the ages of 3 and twelfth grade, with priority given to children residing on or near an Indian reservation.
Johnson-O'Malley Federal Regulations for Contracts
The Code of Federal Regulations Title 25, Part 273 outlines the process for entering contracts under the Johnson-O’Malley Act for financial assistance to meet the educational needs of eligible Indian students and necessary programs.
Title 25, Part 273 addresses JOM participation, geographic coverage, and how these regulations pertain to existing Tribal rights. It also defines program eligibility (for both students and schools), how funds can be used, and the role and powers of local Indian Education Committees and school boards.
Read the full CFR Title 25, Part 273.
Johnson-O'Malley Reports
Johnson-O’Malley Modernization Act Final Report
