Post-Secondary Education Assistance Program. Funding Policy

Transcription

1 Post-Secondary Education Assistance Program (PSEAP) Funding Policy May 8, Pickerel River Road Tel: Pickerel, ON. P0G-1J0 Fax:

2 INDEX PAGE Introduction... 1 Purpose. 1 Eligibility for PSEAP 1 Eligibility for Living Allowance 2 HIFN Selection Process. 3 Student Responsibilities. 3 Approval Process 4 AANDC Regulations for Post Secondary Assistance. 4 HIFN Limits to Post Secondary Funding... 5 Eligible Tuition... 5 Awards... 6 Appeals... 6 Contact Information... 6 Appendix A.... PSEAP Application

3 Introduction Henvey Inlet First Nation is committed to the educational success of our students. Every effort will be made to ensure that the greatest number of students are funded and supported through this program however it is important for students to remember that the funding limit is set by AANDC (Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development Canada) and is further limited by the number of students receiving assistance in any given academic year. Students are encouraged to research and apply for Scholarships and Bursaries throughout the year to enhance their finances. Purpose The Post Secondary Educational Assistance Program (PSEAP) is designed to assist Henvey Inlet First Nation members to offset the personal cost of obtaining a post- secondary education by assisting with tuition and other qualified allowances as set out in this policy. Eligibility for PSEAP 1. You must be a registered member of Henvey Inlet First Nation. 2. You must have been a resident in Canada for twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the date of application for PSEAP. 3. The post secondary program must be provided by an accredited institution recognized by a provincial or territorial Ministry of Education. 4. Applicants must meet University/College entrance requirements and be accepted for enrolment. 5. New applicants must include a Letter of Acceptance with their application. 6. Students who drop-out (ie., withdraw after the institution s identified date for withdrawal) will be deemed to have abandoned their studies and will not be considered for future funding until they have re-paid the First Nation for the cost of tuition and other expenditures. 7. Providing false information will result in immediate termination of funding. 8. Henvey Inlet First Nation will not consider applications postmarked later than June 10 th.

4 Eligibility for Living Allowance Only *full-time students are eligible for the AANDC living allowance. Since the First Nation does not receive enough funds to cover the true cost of living, this allowance is intended to assist with rent or food and/or personal needs. Students with *dependent children must submit copies of their child/ren s Birth Certificate/s or Status Card/s and proof of custody. Students with a *dependent spouse must identify their spouse and have them sign the PSEAP application form. The following chart identifies the living allowance rates. Category Monthly Allowance S1 Single Student $ S2 Single Parent With 1 dependent With 2 dependents With 3 dependents $50.00 per month for each additional dependent $ $ $ M1 M2 Married Student with employed spouse With 1 dependent With 2 dependents With 3 dependents $50.00 per month for each additional dependent Married Student with dependent spouse With 1 dependent With 2 dependents With 3 dependents $50.00 per month for each additional dependent $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ *Requirements for full-time/part-time studies are determined by the institution. *Dependent child is a child who is under age 18 who is dependent on the student and who is not in receipt of PSEAP funds from Henvey Inlet First Nation. *Dependent spouse means a married or common law partner (meaning: s/he has lived with the student at least 1 year prior to application) whose income does not exceed the income allowed for a dependent spouse by Revenue Canada. Note: Cheques are intended to cover expenses from September to April however they are deposited during the last week of the month from August to March.

5 HIFN Selection Priorities 1. Students who are currently enrolled and are successfully passing in a post-secondary program funded by Henvey Inlet First Nation PSEAP; 2. Recent Grade 12 graduates; 3. Recent post- secondary graduates who wish to further their studies; 4. Returning students (students who had stepped out from their post-secondary studies and now wish to return); 5. Henvey Inlet Staff who wish to increase their expertise in their current job as per the HIFN Personnel Policy; 6. Part-time students. Student Responsibilities 1. All students must submit a new educational application with supporting documentation by June 10 th each year otherwise they will not be eligible for educational funding. 2. All students must submit a signed copy of the University/College s Authorization to release information to Henvey Inlet First Nation, with their application. This form can be downloaded from the institution s website or requested from the Office of the Registrar. 3. Students must submit their marks/e-grades to the Education Counsellor at the end of each semester in order to qualify for their living allowance and/or tuition funding for the following semester. 4. Students must submit the list of required books/supplies for their program. 5. Students must discuss potential changes to their program with the HIFN Education Counsellor or the Director of Finance prior to making any changes. This includes adding or dropping courses. HIFN may refuse to pay for program changes made without the above noted consultation. 6. Students must opt out of the institution s Health, Dental and/or Vision benefits as these fees are not covered by Henvey Inlet First Nation. 7. If/when a student receives an invoice from the institution they must submit it to the Henvey Inlet First Nation Education Counsellor for payment. Henvey Inlet First Nation will only pay fees upon receipt of an invoice. 8. If a student must withdraw for health reasons, they must provide a note with this recommendation from a medical doctor or nurse practitioner. NOTE: All students are expected to demonstrate a commitment to their studies as evidenced by consistent attendance, regular contact with the HIFN Counsellor and maintaining at least the minimum passing grade for their program.

6 Approval Process 1. The Education Counsellor will review applications and submit recommendations to Council, based on the date applications are received and the AANDC budget, by the end of June each year. 2. Council will review the submissions and approve funding for the upcoming academic year. 3. Notices are sent out to all qualifying applicants by August 1 st of each calendar year. NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding. Using the Application Checklist can assist students to include all necessary information. AANDC Regulations for Post Secondary Assistance Assistance can be provided at four levels of post-secondary education; Level 1: Community college and/or University and College Entrance Preparation Program (UCEP) diploma or certificate programs; *UCEP students must provide a statement from the relevant university or college stating that they will be eligible for admittance upon successful completion of the UCEP course of studies being applied for. Level 2: Undergraduate university programs (certificate, diploma, degree); Level 3: Advanced or professional degree programs, or master s programs; and Level 4: Doctoral program Students will only be funded for courses required to graduate from their current program of study however; 1. Level 2 may also include assistance for an additional degree at the bachelor level which has, as a prerequisite, an undergraduate degree or undergraduate courses; and/or, 2. If a student withdraws from a Level 2 program prior to completing it they may be eligible to attend a Level 1 program. 3. Once a student has graduated from a Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 they are not eligible for additional funding at a lower level.

7 HIFN Limits to Post Secondary Funding 1. Henvey Inlet First Nation will not reimburse academic institutions for Health, Dental or Vision benefits. Students who do not opt out of the institutions Benefit Plan will be responsible to pay these fees. 2. Tuition and mandatory fees are paid as long as the student maintains a satisfactory academic standing as defined by the educational institution. 3. Only required books and/or supplies as identified on the institution s official course list will be paid for; the list and receipts must be submitted to the Education Counsellor 4. The OCAS fee will be reimbursed once the official withdrawal date has passed and the student has submitted their receipt; 5. Receipts submitted for monthly bus or parking passes will be reimbursed. 6. Part-time students, as defined by the post-secondary institution being attended, may receive tuition, mandatory student fees (except Health, Dental and Vision benefits), books and supplies as identified on the official course list however they are not eligible for a living allowance nor a bus/parking pass. Eligible Tuition Tuition support includes the cost of instruction, mandatory student fees charged by the institution, books and supplies as identified on the institution s official course list. Tuition support is provided for: 1. Students attending a Canadian Public Institution at the normal tuition rate charged by the institution for a Canadian student. 2. Students attending a Private or Foreign Post Secondary Institution at the same rate charged by the Canadian Institution nearest to the student s place of residence at the time of application which offers a comparable program. 3. Students enrolled in a Foreign Institution at the actual tuition rate charged by the Foreign Institution where no comparable program is available at an Institution in Canada.

8 Awards All graduates receiving a College Diploma or University Degree shall be awarded $ in recognition of their achievement and commitment to their studies. Appeals Should a student be convinced that this policy has not been fairly applied to them, they may request a hearing by: 1. Submitting a letter to Chief and Council outlining their concerns and requesting a hearing. 2. Chief and Council shall review the request and provide the student with notice of a hearing date. 3. The decision of the Appeals Committee is to be consistent with the Henvey Inlet First Nation PSEAP Policy and will be considered final and binding. Contact Information For additional information please contact the HIFN Education Counsellor at education@henveyinlet.com or to the Director of Finance at if the Counsellor is not available. Note: Henvey Inlet First Nation reserves the right to amend this policy without notice. An amendment becomes effective on the date it is posted to the HIFN website and is circulated within the community.

9 APPENDIX A Application for Post Secondary Education Assistance 2015/2016 Application must be post marked no later than June 10 th to be considered for funding for the upcoming academic year. All requested information must be provided otherwise this application will not be considered for funding. Last Name: First Name: Address: Apt#: City: Prov: _ Postal Code: New Student Returning Student (to Henvey Inlet Post Secondary Funding) Band Registration # 231_ Birth Date: Home #: _ Cell #: address: _ Alternate Address:

10 Allowance Category _ S1: Single _ S2: Single Parent (Provide copy of Birth or Status Certificate and proof of custody) _ M1: Married/Common Law working spouse _ M2: Married/Common Law dependent spouse Number of dependent children_ *Dependent child means a child who is under the age of 18 who is dependent on the student and who not receiving PSEAP funding from Henvey Inlet First Nation. *Dependent spouse means an unemployed married or unemployed common law (minimum 1 year) partner. Spouse s Name (please print): _ Spouse s Signature: _ Prior Education Are you a high school graduate? YES _ NO If yes, what year did you graduate?

11 Have you received Post Secondary Funding from Henvey Inlet in the past? _YES Date you last received funding: _NO Did you attend: College _ University _ Full-Time _ Part-Time Did you graduate? _Yes *Please attach a copy of your most recent transcript and/or diploma. If you did not graduate, please explain why not

12 _ Current Application I am requesting funding for: College _ University UCEP Full-Time _ Part-Time _ Tuition Amount $_/semester Books/Supplies $ /semester Program: _ Length of Program: Year of study: Expected Graduation Date: _ Institution: Address:

13 City_ Prov: Postal Code: _ Registrar Telephone #: Registrar Fax #: Contact Name: _ Institution s Official Course Withdrawal Dates Fall Date: Winter Date: _ Summer Date: By signing this application, I agree to the terms and conditions of the Henvey Inlet Post Secondary Funding Policy. I understand that if any section of this application is not completed, my application will not be considered for funding. I also understand that providing any false information will result in termination of assistance. _ Signature of Applicant _ Date DIRECT DEPOSIT FORM

14 CONFIDENTIAL All monthly education cheques are provided through direct deposit therefore the following information is required. Name of Bank: _ Institution #: Transit #: _ Account #: Name on Account: Bank Telephone #: Student Home Phone #: _ Cell: Student _ Alternate

15 Student Signature: Date: _ Note: Cheques are intended to cover expenses from September to April however they are deposited during the last week of the month from August to March. APPLICATION CHECKLIST Please use this list to ensure you have reviewed and submitted all required information. Documents Reviewed HIFN Post Secondary Education Assistance Program (PSEAP) Funding Policy Appendix A: AANDC Living Allowance Documents Submitted Appendix A: Application for Assistance Direct Deposit Form

16 Letter of Acceptance (first year students) A signed copy of your institution s Consent to release information to Henvey Inlet First Nation Education Counsellor. UCEP Applicants: must include a letter from the relevant college or university stating that the UCEP program meets the college/university entrance requirements. Please include copies of the following documents with your application: Your Status Card Your child s birth certificate OR _ Your child s status card Proof of custody Copy of your high-school diploma or most recent degree Copy of your most recent Transcript Send Completed Application to: Henvey Inlet First Nation 295 Pickerel River Road Pickerel, ON P0G 1J0 Fax: (Tel: ) education@henveyinlet.com Attention: Genevieve Solomon Dubois, Education Counsellor