Student Financial Assistance Annual Report

Transcription

1 Northwest Territories Student Financial Assistance Annual Report September 2011 to August 2012 May 20131

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3 Table of Contents Introduction...3 Mandate... 3 Overview... 3 Assistance... 3 Organization Chart Education, Culture and Employment Responsibilities... 4 Operations Unit Application Processing and Services...4 Finance Services...5 Information Systems Unit Policy, Planning and Information Services Unit... 5 Activities... 5 Application Processing...5 Delivery Staff... 6 Student Case Officers (SCO)...6 Finance Officers...6 Student Financial Assistance Eligibility and Programs... 6 Eligibility for Assistance General....6 Full-time Assistance...6 Part-time Assistance...7 Student Categories Northern Indigenous Aboriginal Resident...7 Northern Resident Schooled in the NWT...8 Northern Resident Not Schooled in the NWT...8 Assistance Types Eligibility Chart.... 9

4 Summary of Grants and Loans for 2011/ Figure 1: Distribution of Assistance by Ethnicity Figure 2: Average Distribution of Assistance by Gender Figure 3: Average Distribution of Assistance by Region Figure 4: Distribution by Type of Assistance Figure 5: Distribution of Type of Assistance by Region Figure 6: Summary of Institution Type Attended Figure 7: Location of Institutions Attended Figure 8: Total of Late Applications by Academic Year Appeals...13 Appeal Levels First Level Appeal Second Level Appeal Figure 9: Decisions of Appeals by Calendar Year Student Loan Repayment and Remission...15 Remissible (Forgivable) Loans Remission Repayable Loans Repayment Interest Rates Repayment Timelines Financial Information Budget 2011/2012 Fiscal Year (April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012) Loan Information STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ANNUAL REPORT

5 Introduction Mandate The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) provides financial assistance to eligible Northwest Territories (NWT) residents to help with postsecondary education-related expenses. Overview ECE offers full-time and part-time financial assistance to NWT residents attending accredited, postsecondary institutions and programs through the Student Financial Assistance (SFA) Program. The purpose of the SFA Program is to help supplement the cost of obtaining a postsecondary education, not to cover all expenses. Assistance The following assistance may be available to eligible postsecondary students: Basic Grant Supplementary Grant Remissible Loan Repayable Loan NWT Study Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities Course Reimbursement for Part Time Studies 3

6 Organization Chart Minister, Education, Culture and Employment Deputy Minister, Education, Culture and Employment Assistant Deputy Minister, Advanced Education and Careers Director Income Security Programs Manager, Income Security Programs Manager, Audit and Finance Supervisor, Student Financial Assistance Program Specialist, Student Financial Assistance Finance Officers Student Case Officers Education, Culture and Employment Responsibilities Operations Unit Application Processing and Services Accepts applications for SFA Provides information on all available programs and services to students and the general public Determines students eligibility for grants and loans Ensures the assessment of student applications on a timely basis 4 STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ANNUAL REPORT

7 Ensures applications and processes are in compliance with governing legislation and policies Authorize and process funding for qualifying students on a timely basis Promotes the SFA Program through presentations and kiosks set up throughout the North Liaises with high schools, postsecondary institutions and Aboriginal organizations Finance Services Provide information on remising and repaying NWT student loans Collect repayment of loans and over payments Administers the remission program Administers debt management programs such as Interest Relief and Reduced Payment Plan Information Systems Unit Plans and implements information systems and technologies Designs and develops computer applications to improve operations of SFA, and ECE Provides services such as Help Desk, database requests and inquiries, business processes and computer applications selection and implementation, and web design Performs ongoing statistical analysis, project management and support Policy, Planning and Information Services Unit Develops policy, research and program analysis to improve the SFA Program Facilitates and supports management decision making through planning and program development Provides interpretation to complex Act, Regulation and Policy Responsible for the development of all communications materials from concept through to delivery Liaises with Public Affairs, Aboriginal organizations, education stakeholders, high schools, postsecondary institutions and employers Evaluates and reports on the SFA Program Participates on multiple committees, including federal/ provincial/ territorial SFA groups Activities Application Processing SFA received 2,216 applications for funding for the 2011/2012 academic year 5

8 Delivery Staff Student Case Officers (SCO) SCOs counsel NWT residents seeking to attend, and attending, designated postsecondary educational institutions. They determine eligibility and levels of financial assistance for which students qualify, and maintain the accuracy and currency of student information and computer systems for both active and inactive students applying for and receiving SFA. In addition, the SCOs also act as promotional and public relations officers for the SFA program. Finance Officers Finance Officers (Payables) process all payments to students, individuals and corporations, covering all components of the payments cycle from financial coding through to final funds distribution for the Income Security Division. They also authorize all student travel under the SFA program, as well as invoicing for student recoveries. Finance Officers (Receivables) process all receivables covering all components of the receivables cycle from financial coding through to final funds received for the Income Security Division. They are responsible for the collection of student loans by counseling clients on repayment, remission and suspension of loans. Student Financial Assistance Eligibility and Programs Eligibility for Assistance General In order to qualify for SFA funding, the student applicant must: Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada; Be a resident of the NWT according to program criteria; Study at a designated postsecondary educational institution; Be enrolled in an approved, postsecondary program or course as defined by SFA; Not be receiving student financial aid from another provincial, territorial or federal program; Ensure all previous SFA student loans are up-to-date; and Make arrangements to repay any outstanding Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) debts. Full-time Assistance To qualify for full-time assistance, the student must: Meet the general eligibility requirements; Be enrolled in an approved program that is 12 to 26 continuous weeks in length and leads to a certificate, diploma, or degree (a spring or summer program can be less than 12 continuous weeks in length if he/she has attended either a fall and/or winter semester of 12 to 26 weeks in length during the academic year); Maintain satisfactory progress and pass at least 60% of a 100% full course load each semester; 6 STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ANNUAL REPORT

9 Maintain enrollment during each semester in at least: 40% of a 100% full course load as a student with a permanent disability or 60% of a 100% full course load; and Submit all required documents to the SFA office. Part-time Assistance To qualify for part-time assistance, the student applicant must: Meet the general eligibility requirements; Have attended a designated postsecondary institution and approved program that leads to a certificate, diploma or degree; Must have been enrolled in less than 60% of a 100% full course load; Meet a financial needs test; and Submit all required documents within one-year of starting the course(s). Student Categories Northern Indigenous Aboriginal Resident In this category, the student is entitled to receive up to 12 semesters of Basic Grant and Supplementary Grant or Remissible (Forgivable) Loan funding and may be eligible for a needs assessed Repayable Loan. The student is considered to be a Northern Indigenous Aboriginal resident if he/she meets at least one of the following conditions: A member of, or eligible to become a member of, an NWT Dene Band; A person who, on or before December 31, 1921 resided in that part of Canada that on April 1, 1999 comprised the NWT and who is of direct Aboriginal descent; A descendent of a person described above; A person who is enrolled or eligible to be enrolled as a beneficiary under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, as amended; A descendent of a person described above; A person who is enrolled or eligible to be enrolled on the Nunavut Inuit Enrollment List, as amended and was ordinarily resident on March 31, 1999, in that part of Canada that on April 1, 1999, comprised of the NWT and has continued to reside in the NWT; and A person who is enrolled or eligible to be enrolled as a Tłįchǫ citizen under Chapter 3 of the Land Claims and Self-Government Agreement among the Tłįchǫ Government of the NWT and the Government of Canada signed on August 25,

10 Northern Resident Schooled in the NWT In this category, the student is entitled to receive one semester of a Basic Grant and Remissible (Forgivable) Loan for each Grade of 1 to 12 that s/he successfully completed as ordinarily resident of the NWT. The student may also be eligible for a needs-assessed Repayable Loan. The type and amount of assistance that the student will receive as a Northern Resident Schooled in the NWT will depend on whether s/he has: Successfully completed one or more of Grades 1 through 12 in the NWT or Completed one or more years of schooling outside the NWT where the parent(s) who had sole care and control of you was ordinarily resident of the NWT according the program criteria Northern Resident Not Schooled in the NWT In this category, you are entitled to receive a needs assessed Repayable Loan. The student is considered to be a Northern Resident Not Schooled in the NWT, if s/he: Was not considered ordinarily resident while attending Grades 1 through 12 or Is not considered to be a Northern Indigenous Aboriginal resident Must be considered an NWT resident Assistance Types Basic Grant Tuition and fees Textbooks Travel Supplementary Grant or Remissible Loan Rent and/or mortgage Food Utilities Local transportation Repayable Loan Tuition and fees Textbooks Travel Rent and/or mortgage Food Utilities Local transportation Study Grant The Study Grant for Persons with Disabilities is intended to help the student with extraordinary, non-capital expenses related to his or her permanent disability Course Reimbursement A student may be reimbursed for certain educational expenses, such as tuition, enrollment fees, postage, required books, child care expenses and Internet fees 8 STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ANNUAL REPORT

11 Eligibility Chart Assistance Type Northern Aboriginal Northern Schooled Basic Grant Northern Resident Supplementary Grant (OR a Remissible Loan) Remissible Loan (OR a Supplementary Grant) Repayable Loan Study Grant For Students with Permanent Disabilities Course Reimbursement Summary of Grants and Loans for 2011/2012 Number of Students Total Awards Full-time Students: Basic Grant 1374 $6,032, Supplementary Grant 612 $3,478, Study Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities 5 $24, Remissible Loan 727 $3,553, Repayable Loan 459 $2,806, Part-time Students: Course Reimbursement 26 $11,

12 Figure 1: Distribution of Assistance by Ethnicity Métis Inuit/Inuvialuit Dene Dene, I/I, Métis Indigenous Aboriginal Total Non-Aboriginal Total Student Total Figure 2: Average Distribution of Assistance by Gender Female 1058 Male STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ANNUAL REPORT

13 Figure 3: Average Distribution of Assistance by Region Beaufort Delta 207 Deh Cho 64 North Slave 935 Sahtu 51 South Slave Figure 4: Distribution by Type of Assistance Basic Grant Remissible Loan Supplementary Grant Repayable Loan 11

14 Figure 5: Distribution of Type of Assistance by Region Basic Grant Remissible Loan Supplementary Grant Repayable Loan Beaufort Delta Deh Cho North Slave Sahtu South Slave Figure 6: Summary of Institution Type Attended 34% University 41% College 25% Other 12 STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ANNUAL REPORT

15 Figure 7: Location of Institutions Attended Outside NWT 34% Inside NWT 68% Figure 8: Total of Late Applications by Academic Year Academic Year Late Applications Total Applications Received Percentage Students Approved For Funding Percentage ,100 14% % ,028 13% % ,100 12% % ,226 12% % ,216 10% % Appeals The SFA Program makes every effort to ensure all students are treated fairly and consistently. However, there are instances where a student may feel the rules have been misapplied or that the criteria do not adequately reflect his/her particular circumstances. A student may appeal decisions made by the SFA Program by following approved appeal procedures. 13

16 Appeal Levels First Level Appeal First level appeals are heard through an Internal Review Group. The Internal Review Group s mandate is to ensure that SFA staff members have applied the Student Financial Assistance Act, Regulations and Policies correctly. Second Level Appeal Second level appeals are heard by the SFA Appeal Board, which is composed of five members of the public. The Appeal Board s mandate is to ensure the Internal Review Group has applied the Student Financial Assistance Act, Regulations and Policies correctly. Students may attend the second level appeal, obtain legal representation, or have someone speak on his/her behalf, such as an advocate, parent or friend. The Student Financial Assistance Act does not allow for appeals regarding loan repayment/remission and federal programs. Neither the Internal Review Group nor the Appeal Board can act outside of the SFA legislation. The Appeal Board, in accordance with the Act governing the SFA Program, is the final arbiter in all cases. Figure 9: Decisions of Appeals by Calendar Year First Level Internal Review Second Level Appeal Board STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ANNUAL REPORT

17 Student Loan Repayment and Remission A student must enter into a Consolidated Loan Notice and begin repaying their loan six months after ceasing to be a fulltime student. During the six month interest-free period, the student must contact the SFA office to make arrangements to begin remising and/or repaying their loan(s). Ceasing full-time studies means that the student: Finished their program of study Is enrolled as a part-time student Withdrew from full-time studies, or Wants to take a semester (or more) off Remissible (Forgivable) Loans Remission NWT residents could be eligible to have part, or all, of their Remissible Loan(s) forgiven once they cease to be a full-time student should they return to the NWT after ceasing to be a full-time student. The remission process is not automatic and in order to qualify, a student must meet the following criteria: Successfully complete the required percentage of a 100% full course load of studies during each semester the Remissible Loan was received Submit an Application for Remission and provide adequate proof of residency in the NWT every six months The SFA Program offers a grace period to students who received the Remissible Loan and did not successfully complete a semester. This grace period is valid for one semester during a student s lifetime. Remission is not earned over summer break, as a student is required to enter a Consolidated Loan Notice in order to apply for remission. Repayable Loans Repayment Interest Rates The interest rate on NWT Student Loans is determined in the year in which a student ceases to be a full-time student. It is calculated at 1% below the Bank of Canada s Prime Business Rate at January 1st of that year. 15

18 Repayment Timelines The next table shows the maximum amount of time a student has to repay their NWT Student Loan. Repayment Period Annual Repayment Cumulative Repayment 1 year $0 $1,500 2 years $1,501 $3,000 3 years $3,001 $5,000 4 years $5,001 $10,000 5 years $10,001 $15,000 6 years $15,001 $20,000 7 years $20,001 $25,000 8 years $25,001 $30,000 9 years $30,001 $35, years $35,001 $40, years $40,001 $45, years $45,001 $50, years $50,001 $55, years $55,001 $60,000 A student may decide to repay all or part of any loan before the end of the repayment term and may do so without penalty. Interest on loans is calculated according to the number of days that lapse between receipts of payment on the principal balance outstanding. Interest Relief Program NWT residents who are temporarily unable to repay their student loan(s) could have their payments reduced depending on their household income level and monthly repayment obligation, for a period of up to a lifetime maximum of 36 months. However, the length of the repayment period is not extended and the student will be required to increase their monthly payments later to ensure the loan is paid off by the end of the original repayment period. Reduced Payment Plan Non-residents of the NWT that are unable to repay their student loan(s) due to low income can have their payments temporarily reduced. Under this program, the monthly loan obligations could be reduced if their monthly payments exceed a given percentage of their total family income. Depending on the income level and the minimum monthly payment requirement, reduced payments could be granted for a period of up to a lifetime maximum of 36 months. 16 STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ANNUAL REPORT

19 Financial Information Budget 2011/2012 Fiscal Year (April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012) Salaries....$539, Grants*.... $9,240, Other expenditures (Operations & Maintenance)... $2,616, Total... $12,395, * Grants also include $11, for Course Reimbursement part-time funding provided by SFA Loan Information Loans granted.... $6,455, Loan Remission...$1,838, Loans Collected.... $3,023,

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