TRIBES · SHAWNEE, OKLAHOMASHAWNEE, OK
Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Every Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma program in Okla’s catalog, in one place. 32 serve the AST Service Area (5 Counties, Central Oklahoma). 27 are open to citizens of other tribes too.
42 programs across 14 categories.
Elder Care
7 PROGRAMS AST Elder Protection Program Protective services for community elders age 55 or older experiencing abuse, exploitation, or neglect. Open to all · Service area AST Native American Caregiver Support Program Information, referral, individual counseling, support groups, and respite care for unpaid family caregivers of Native elders or for grandparents… CDIB holders · Service area AST Title VI Congregate Meals Program Free hot meals for eligible elders. CDIB holders · Service area AST Title VI Grass Mowing Service Lawn mowing and weed-eating every two weeks (weather permitting) for enrolled AST elders who own and occupy their primary residence. Citizens only · Service area AST Title VI Home-Delivered Meals Home delivery of meals for elders who are unable to leave home due to illness, disability, or frailty. CDIB holders · Service area CompleteCare Home Health (ASTHS) In-home skilled nursing (injections, wound care, catheter care, tube feeding), physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social… Open to all · Service area Seeking Hope — Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative (ADPI) Person-centered dementia care for Native Americans and their caregivers. CDIB holders · Service area
Education
6 PROGRAMS ASHA College Housing Assistance — All Federally Recognized Tribal Members (NAHASDA) Up to $300 per month in rental assistance for income-eligible tribal college or vocational students who live in the ASHA service area. Any tribal citizen · Income based ASHA College Housing Assistance — AST Members $1,200 per semester for spring and fall, plus $600 for a continued full-time summer semester, in rental assistance for enrolled AST college students. Citizens only · Statewide AST Academic Assistance Program (K–12) Funds academic-related expenses for enrolled AST students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Citizens only · Nationwide AST Graduate Scholarship Program Funds one master's or doctoral degree at an accredited institution for enrolled AST members. Citizens only · Nationwide AST Higher Education Incentive Award Program Funds one associate's or bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university for enrolled AST members. Citizens only · Nationwide AST Job Training Adult Education Program (JTAEP) Funds vocational and technical training at accredited vocational institutions for adult AST members seeking career skills or certification. Citizens only · Nationwide
Financial Assistance
6 PROGRAMS ASHA Home Rehab Assistance Program Forgivable grants up to $15,000 for repairs and improvements to substandard homes — plumbing, heating, roofing, electrical, hazard removal, and… Citizens only · Service area ASHA Mortgage Assistance Program (Down Payment Assistance) Financial assistance covering closing costs, down payment, and refinancing for enrolled AST members purchasing or refinancing a primary residence. Citizens only · Service area ASHA Storm Shelter Assistance Program Financial assistance to help enrolled AST members purchase and install a storm shelter at their primary Oklahoma residence. Citizens only · Statewide AST Burial Assistance Program Up to $6,000 toward funeral and burial costs for a deceased enrolled AST member, paid to the funeral home (and to a backhoe vendor when the family… Citizens only · Nationwide AST General Assistance Short-term financial assistance for unmet needs including emergency utility assistance, new employment-related expenses, and other crisis situations. Any tribal citizen · Service area AST School Clothing Allowance ($500) $500 annual clothing allowance per child to help enrolled AST K–12 students prepare for the school year. Citizens only · Nationwide
Housing
5 PROGRAMS ASHA Low Rent Housing Subsidized rental housing units for income-eligible tribal members. Any tribal citizen · Income based ASHA Mutual Help Home Ownership (NAHASDA Lease to Own) NAHASDA-funded lease-to-own path to homeownership for tribal members who cannot qualify for a conventional mortgage. Any tribal citizen · Income based ASHA Over Income Lease to Own Program Homeownership path for tribal members with income above the Low Rent program cap. Any tribal citizen · Service area ASHA Supportive Housing Program (Safe Shelter) Temporary housing up to 6 months (with possible 90-day extension) for homeless individuals, domestic violence survivors, displaced persons, and those… Any tribal citizen · Service area ASHA Tiny Home Lease Purchase Program New tiny home construction on the applicant's own land with a lease-to-own financing structure. Any tribal citizen · Service area
Medical
4 PROGRAMS Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System (Primary Care) Three-clinic outpatient health system providing primary care, preventive care, prenatal care, women's health, diabetes management and wellness… CDIB holders · Service area AST Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) Supplemental program that pays for emergency and specialty care outside the ASTHS clinic system when medically necessary and funds are available… Citizens only · Service area ASTHS Pharmacy In-clinic pharmacy providing prescription dispensing and consultations at all three ASTHS locations. CDIB holders · Service area ASTHS Vision Clinic (Optometry) Comprehensive eye exams, prescription eyewear, contact lenses, and an optical shop. CDIB holders · Service area
Child Care
4 PROGRAMS AST After School Program After-school care for children K–12 offering academic support and social-emotional development programming. Open to all · Service area AST Building Blocks Child Development Centers Two licensed early education centers with curriculum-based programming. Open to all · Service area AST Child Care Assistance (477 Program) Child care subsidy assistance for income-eligible tribal families, coordinated through the AST PL 102-477 One Stop Shop program. Any tribal citizen · Service area AST Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Tribal child welfare program for Absentee Shawnee children and families: child protective services, family preservation, representation in tribal and… Citizens only · Nationwide
Utilities
2 PROGRAMS AST LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) Emergency energy bill assistance to prevent utility disconnection and heating assistance for income-eligible tribal members in Pottawatomie or… Any tribal citizen · Income based AST Tribal Energy Assistance (TEA) Home energy assistance for heating and cooling costs for enrolled AST members. Citizens only · Income based
Substance Abuse
2 PROGRAMS AST Tribal Opioid Response — Be Well (Wi Si Ka To Wi) Prevention, treatment, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), overdose prevention (Narcan and fentanyl test strip distribution), and recovery services. CDIB holders · Service area AST Wellbriety Recovery Group (White Bison) Weekly recovery meeting using Medicine Wheel teachings and a 12-step approach. Any tribal citizen · Service area
Food
1 PROGRAMLegal
1 PROGRAMMental Health
1 PROGRAMDental
1 PROGRAMEmployment
1 PROGRAMOther
1 PROGRAM02 / ABOUT THE TRIBE
About the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
- Federal recognition
- Federally recognized as “Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma” in the Bureau of Indian Affairs list (91 FR 4102, January 2026).
- Headquarters
- Shawnee, Oklahoma
- Service area
- AST Service Area (5 Counties, Central Oklahoma): Pottawatomie, Cleveland, Lincoln, Oklahoma and Logan counties, Oklahoma.
- Citizens
- Approximately 4,775 (as of June 2026), per the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.
- Official website
- astribe.com ↗
03 / COMMON QUESTIONS
Common questions
Do I have to be a Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma citizen to use these programs?
Not always. Of the 42 programs Okla lists, 15 are for Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma citizens only; 11 are open to citizens of any federally recognized tribe; 11 are open to anyone with a CDIB card; and 5 are open to everyone. Each program page spells out who qualifies.
Do I have to live on the reservation or in the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma service area?
32 programs are limited to the AST Service Area (5 Counties, Central Oklahoma) (Pottawatomie, Cleveland, Lincoln, Oklahoma and Logan counties, Oklahoma). 8 programs are available to eligible people anywhere in the United States. The rest have their own service areas, listed on each program page. Use “Find my programs” at the top of this page to check against where you live.
How do I become a Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma citizen?
Citizenship (enrollment) is decided by the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, not by Okla. The tribe’s enrollment page explains the requirements and how to apply. Main line: 405-275-4030.
How do I apply for Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma programs?
Each program has its own application. Open a program above to see who qualifies, how to apply and the official link. Okla is an independent directory, not part of the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma or any government agency, so always confirm details with the program before you apply.