Introduction. Eligible Recipients

Transcription

1 Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Post-Secondary Education Guidelines 2016/03/01 Introduction Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) has two programs which provide financial assistance for eligible Status Indians and Inuit students to help offset tuition, travel and/or living expenses. Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) University and College Entrance Preparation Program (UCEPP) Aboriginal Bursaries and Scholarships-From the INAC website there is a link to the Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool. These bursaries are not part of the INAC program. Refer to the National Program Guidelines for Incentives information. Possible PSE administrators: Eligible Recipients 1. Band Councils 2. Organizations designated by Band Councils; and 3. Self-governing First Nations in Yukon 4. Recipient appointed advisors or third-party funding agreement managers Where such an agreement does not exist, the regional office is responsible to review and assess the student applications for funding. Would like all the yellow put in a file folder called Post Secondary Guidelines Objective of PSSSP: Post-Secondary Education Program To improve the employability of eligible students by providing them with funding to access education and skills development opportunities at the

2 post-secondary level. Objective of UCEP: To provide financial support to eligible students enrolled in university and college entrance preparation programs offered by Canadian postsecondary institutions which enable them to attain the academic level required for entrance into degree and diploma credit programs. For both programs: Eligible Students Treaty-Registered First Nation individuals residing in Canada 12 consecutive months before funding application; or Inuit residing in Canada 12 consecutive months before funding application but live outside their territory and are no longer eligible to be funded by their territory (proof of refusal is required); and Have a letter of acceptance for a degree, diploma or certificate program, or University College Entrance Preparation (UCEP) program, and Maintain satisfactory academic standing. Applications are for 1 year. At the end of that year individuals must re-apply. Students can be full or part-time. Funding is limited; not all students may be funded or some may be partially funded. For UCEP: Students need to obtain a statement from the institution that the program will provide courses needed for university or college entrance and that the student will be eligible for acceptance to a regular university or college credit program upon successful

3 completion. UCEP restricted to Canadian Institutions UCEP restricted to 1 year. UCEP students must not have been financially supported previously by INAC for post-secondary programs (exemptions may be made for medical reasons). Eligible Institutions (PSSSP) Institutions must be: 1. Recognized by a province or territory (in Canada or abroad); or 2. Recognized to deliver post-secondary programs by arrangement with an eligible post-secondary institution. 3. If in a foreign institution, that the program is recognized in Canada. List of eligible post-secondary education institutions available here: *Must be recognized by the Province-across Canada *Less than a year is not eligible through INAC Eligible post-secondary levels include: Eligible Programs (PSSSP) community college and CEGEP diploma or certificate programs undergraduate programs advanced or professional degree programs.

4 An eligible program of studies (e.g. trades, sciences, arts) is a program: Where the completion of secondary school studies, or equivalent as recognized by the post-secondary institution, is required; and Offered by a post-secondary institution that is at least one academic year in duration (as defined by the institution); and Delivered by an eligible institution as defined in section 4.4, Eligible Institutions UCEP programs must provide the student with the necessary courses to attain the academic level for university or college entrance. *Accept Trades-1 year programs Program Requirements Recipients who locally administer PSSSP and UCEPP (section 4.1, Eligible Recipients) must meet the following standards: Provide and distribute funding as per maximum amount payable (section 6.2, Maximum Amount Payable to Students); Develop and implement "Local Operating Guidelines" in accordance with National Program Guidelines (if no Local Operating Guidelines exist, INAC guidelines apply); Implement and administer priority criteria (publically available); Develop and implement rules for deferring applications where there are more eligible students than funds available; and Implement and administer a publically available appeal process.

5 Local Operating Guidelines Local program guidelines for administering PSSSP and the UCEPP must be consistent with National Program Guidelines and publically available. Local guidelines must include: Priority Selection criteria; Rules for deferring applications in situations where there are more eligible students than funds available; and An appeal process. Potential Selection Priorities Continuing students Recent high school graduates Deferred students Recent post-secondary education graduates Students who have already completed part of their program but were not previously funded by PSSSP Returning students; and/or Part-time students. Recipient Appeal Process Must be accessible to students and publically available. Must include the existence of an impartial appeal board Must have specific time frames for appeal hearing to be set and for decisions made Must have a governance process confirming the recipient will abide

6 by the appeal board's decision(s). Eligible Expenditures Tuition and other compulsory student fees (not health and dental); Professional certification and examination fees (not retakes); Books and supplies; Living allowances for the student (can include dependents). Rates cannot exceed the maximums established by Canada Student Loan Program (Full-Time Students); and The cost of one return trip to the student's permanent residence from the nearest Canadian post-secondary education institution offering the student's program of studies, every 16 weeks (student and each dependent); Distance education or e-learning students required to travel to another location for exams may be eligible for travel support. Requests for accommodations should be examined to minimize costs; Tutorial guidance and counseling services for PSSSP or UCEPP students; Scholarship and incentive payments (Section 6.4, Scholarships and Incentives); and Administration costs (Section 6.3 Administration Costs). Part-time students may receive assistance for tuition, compulsory fees, books and supplies as required by the post-secondary institution but are not eligible for living allowances or travel costs. Eligible Tuition Tuition Support: Students attending Canadian public institutions (close proximity to

7 the student's place of residence) at the actual tuition rate; or Students attending Canadian public institutions (farther from the student's place of residence) at the actual tuition rate if the program is not available locally; or Students attending private or foreign post-secondary institutions at the same tuition rate, or tuition rate that is the least amount charged by the public or private Canadian institution nearest to the student's place of residence; or Students enrolled in a foreign institution at the actual tuition rate where it is demonstrated that no comparable program is available at a Canadian institution. Approval from the regional INAC office must be acquired prior to funding such students. Maximum Amounts Payable to Students The maximum amount per full-time student cannot exceed $35,000 per year The maximum amount per year for a student in an advanced or professional degree program (e.g. dentistry, medicine) may exceed $35,000 up to a maximum of $50,000 (granted by special request on a case-by-case basis depending on circumstances). Funding for an individual graduate student above $35,000 must be reviewed by the INAC regional office. The maximum amount payable per year to one full-time student covers expenditures listed in Section 6, Eligible Expenditures. Part-time students may receive assistance for tuition, compulsory fees, cost of books and supplies listed as required by the postsecondary institution are not eligible for living allowances or travel costs. Monitoring and Accountability Program delivery in accordance with National Program Guidelines must ensure management controls are in place to manage funding and monitor activities.

8 INAC assists recipients to administer programs according to National Program Guidelines and funding agreements. Contact Education Officers. Audits, evaluations, desk and on-site compliance reviews will be conducted with all funding recipients. Funding Agreement Information Council: -Provide programs and services in accordance with delivery standards and requirements set out by National Program Guidelines. -Shall submit all reports on or before due dates set out in schedule. -Shall reimburse to Canada ineligible expenditures and unexpended funding in accordance with National Program Guidelines. -Shall maintain a system of transparency and openness to members in accordance with national Program Guidelines. -May delegate any or all of its obligations to its duly authorized representative or agent. *All guidelines come directly from INAC as we do not have a policy of our own.