STUDENTAID Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance Application Guide www.gov.nl.ca/studentaid14/15
STUDENTAID How does the STUDENT LOAN process work? STEP 1: APPLY ONLINE OR BY PAPER STEP 2: SUBMIT YOUR NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION STEP 3: STEP 4: APPLICATION IS PROCESSED AND IF REQUIRED A MSFAA WILL BE SENT TO YOU COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE MSFAA TO THE NSLSC VIA CANADA POST STEP 5: FULL-TIME ENROLMENT WILL BE CONFIRMED STEP 6: YOUR FUNDS ARE DEPOSITED INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT STEP 7: SUBMIT YOUR INCOME CONFIRMATION FORM DEADLINES The Student Financial Services Division will be strictly enforcing the following deadlines: Applications deadline date is four weeks prior to the end Eight weeks after the start of classes of the period of study (semester) to which (Includes Canada Student Grant for financial assistance being reviewed relates. Services and Equipment for Persons with Permanent Disabilities). Deadline date External Appeals Board for semesters less than twelve weeks Six weeks prior to the end of the period two weeks after the first day of classes. of study (semester) to which financial assistance being reviewed relates. Appeals Eight weeks prior to the end of the period of study (semester) to which financial assistance being reviewed relates. For semesters less than twelve weeks, the Income Confirmation Form After the first day of class for the current academic year but no later than eight weeks after the start of classes.
INTRODUCTION 2 APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE 3 HOW TO APPLY 3 APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE FOR SECOND SEMESTER ONLY 3 APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE FOR THIRD SEMESTER 3 APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE FOR SHORTER PERIODS OF STUDY 4 FORMS AND DOCUMENTATION 4 GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR FULL AND PART-TIME STUDENTS 9 COMPLETING THE APPLICATION 10 SECTION A - PERSONAL DATA 10 SECTION B - PROGRAM INFORMATION 10 COURSE LOAD REQUIREMENTS 10 SUBSEQUENT PROGRAM OR SWITCHING PROGRAMS 11 FACULTY REGISTRATION 11 WORK TERMS 11 SECTION C - STUDENT CATEGORY 12 SECTION D - PARENTAL INFORMATION (DEPENDANT STUDENTS ONLY) 13 INFORMATION (OR SIGNATURE OF) FROM ONE PARENT 13 SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND AND PARENTAL CONTRIBUTION 13 SECTION E - RESIDENCY 14 RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS 14 PROTECTED PERSON STATUS DOCUMENTATION 14 SECTION F - EDUCATION/EMPLOYMENT HISTORY 14 SECTION G - PRE-STUDY INFORMATION 15 INCOME CONFIRMATION FORM (ICF) 15 SECTION H - STUDY PERIOD INFORMATION 16 EMPLOYMENT INCOME 16 SCHOLARSHIPS/BURSARIES 16 SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND AND PARENTAL CONTRIBUTION 16 TRAINING ALLOWANCE 17 SECTION I - MARRIED/COMMON-LAW/SINGLE PARENT STUDENTS 17 BIRTH OR BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE 17 CANADA CHILD TAX BENEFIT CONFIRMATION 17 CHILDCARE CONFIRMATION 17 PERMANENTLY DISABLED DEPENDANTS 17 IN STUDY ASSISTANCE FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS 18 IN STUDY ASSISTANCE FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS 20 HOW ASSESSED NEED IS CALCULATED 21 NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT/RE-ASSESSMENT 23 RECEIVING STUDENT LOANS/GRANTS 24 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 26 Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance 1
INTRODUCTION The Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador work together to provide student financial assistance. Both loans and grants are available to help you access and pay for postsecondary education. With one application for full-time studies, you will be assessed for both federal and provincial student loans as well as most student grants. Students studying part-time will be required to complete a separate Part-time Student Loan and/or Grant Application available in print format only. Please visit our web site for complete details at www.gov.nl.ca/studentaid. This guide is for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador who are applying for student financial assistance to attend a post-secondary institution during the 2014-2015 academic year (August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015). It contains important information on both the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Student Loans Program (NLSLP). You are encouraged to read this guide prior to applying for student fi nancial assistance. While these two programs differ they have been integrated for administrative purposes. In this guide you will learn about the programs and the options available to you. IMPORTANT NOTE: EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT RECEIVING A LOAN THIS SEMESTER YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR PRIOR LOANS IN GOOD STANDING. If you received a student loan in the past and are now returning to post-secondary fulltime without getting a new student loan, you MUST confi rm your enrolment and notify the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) to maintain your interest-free status and keep your loan in good standing. You can do this in 1 of 3 ways: 1) Sign on to the NSLSC Online Services at CanLearn.ca and navigate to the Confi rm your Enrolment section; or 2) Contact the Administration/Registrar s office of your educational institution and they will electronically confi rm your enrolment with the NSLSC; or 3) Complete a Confirmation of Enrolment Form (Schedule 2) and forward it to the NSLSC. The form is available at your educational institution and on our website. Both you and a representative of your educational institution must complete the Confirmation of Enrolment form as confirmation you are enrolled in full-time studies. The form must be submitted to the National Student Loan Service Center (NSLSC) before the end of the month in which your period of study begins. You can contact the NSLSC at 1-888-815-4514 to confi rm receipt of the Confirmation of Enrolment Form (Schedule 2). If you do not know where your loans are administered, contact the Student Financial Services Division for assistance. 2 Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance
APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE How to Apply Apply online at www.gov.nl.ca/studentaid. Paper applications are only available upon request by contacting the Student Financial Services Division. Please see the last page of this document for contact information. An application will NOT be processed if: it is received after the deadline (i.e., 8 weeks after the start of the semester or 2 weeks after the start of a period of study of less than 12 weeks duration); your previous loans are not in good standing; you have not submitted the requested information or required documentation; it is not fully and accurately completed; or signatures on the application, required forms and/or documentations are missing. Note: A complete application is one for which you have submitted all required forms and documentation with your application (see Forms and Documentation for further details.) Applying for Assistance for Second Semester Only If you are attending post-secondary in the first and second semesters (e.g., Fall and Winter) but require assistance for the second semester (Winter) only, a need assessment (costs minus fi nancial resources) will be conducted for the fi rst (Fall) semester to determine if there are any unused resources that could be applied toward the second semester (Winter). In addition to the full application and required forms, you must submit an Income Confirmation Form (ICF) for your pre-study period and advise the Student Financial Services Division of any earnings or other financial resources you received during the first semester. If you attend an educational institution other than Memorial University, Marine Institute or College of the North Atlantic you are required to submit a Program Cost Form completed by a representative of your educational institution including information for both semesters. Assistance for the Third Semester If you requested assistance for the previous two semesters (e.g., Fall and Winter) and require assistance for the third semester (e.g., Spring/Summer) within the same academic year, you must submit a Supplementary Application Form, which is available online at www.gov.nl.ca/studentaid under the Application section or at the Student Financial Services Division. If you are applying for student fi nancial assistance for the fi rst time in the academic year, you are required to submit a full application. Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance 3
Assistance for Shorter Periods of Study Student fi nancial assistance is available for periods of study of less than 12 weeks duration (but not less than 6 weeks), provided the study period requested is an extension of a program of study which itself is at least 12 weeks in duration. In these situations, you must submit a completed application no later than 2 weeks after the start of classes. All other conditions remain the same. For a 6-week period of study (e.g. Spring Intersession) you are encouraged to submit your application well in advance of the start of classes to ensure timely processing. Forms and Documentation Forms and documentation requirements depend on your particular situation. Copies of forms, with the exception of the Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA), are available online at www.gov.nl.ca/studentaid/forms or through the Student Financial Services Division office located in Coughlan College. You must submit an original copy of the Canada Revenue Agency Signature Authorization Form (CRA), either by mail or by delivering it the Student Financial Services Division offi ce at Coughlan College. A copy sent by fax or email is not acceptable. All other forms or documentation may be mailed, faxed or emailed (Note: if you fax or email a document please do not submit the original). Contact information for the Student Financial Services Division is available in the back of this guide. Forms Required For ALL Applicants Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) If you are applying for student fi nancial assistance for the fi rst time, a MSFAA will be sent to you once your application has been assessed and you are approved to receive an amount of student fi nancial assistance. Canada Revenue Agency Signature Authorization Form Download the Canada Revenue Agency Authorization Signature Form. Student s Declaration, Consent and Signature Form Download the Student s Declaration, Consent and Signature Form. Income Confirmation Form (ICF) This form is required to confi rm your income during your pre-study period. If your application is assessed prior to the start date of your semester, your first semester funding will be issued based upon your estimated pre-study period income. However, in order to receive any additional funding, either for the current or subsequent semesters you must confi rm your pre-study income using the Income Confirmation Form (ICF) which must be submitted by the deadline date of eight weeks after the start of your semester. 4 Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance
If you have applied prior to the start of your fi rst semester, but your application has not been assessed prior to the fi rst day of classes, an Income Confi rmation Form will be required in order to process your application. Download the Income Confirmation Form (ICF) Note: If you have applied after the start of your first semester, an Income Confirmation Form is not required. Forms and Documentation That May Be Required for SOME Applicants Review the following list to determine what forms and/or documents you may need to provide. Parents Declaration, Consent and Signature Form This form is required if you are a dependant student. Download the Parents Declaration, Consent and Signature Form Information From (or Signature of) One Parent Information from one parent may be accepted, depending on if a relationship exists between the student and the other (absent) parent. The parent with whom the student lives must submit an explanation as to why the second parent s information is not available. This explanation must demonstrate that there is no relationship between the student and the absent parent. Note: The refusal of parents to contribute to the cost of post-secondary education is not an acceptable reason to have parental contribution or the need for parental information waived. Spouse s Declaration, Consent and Signature Form This form is required if you are married or in a common-law relationship. Download the Spouse s Declaration, Consent and Signature Form Married or Common-law Documentation If your student category changed since your last application, you are required to provide documentation confi rming the change. Students who are married or living common-law for at least 12 consecutive months must submit marriage certifi cate or a letter from an unbiased, unrelated third party who has personal knowledge of your living arrangements and who can confi rm the date of cohabitation. The third party must submit their contact information, occupation and their relationship to you. Please note: Confirmation from your landlord or affidavits are NOT acceptable. Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance 5
Verification of Permanent Disability Form This form is required if you are applying as a student with a permanent disability. You must sign the consent portion of the form. A qualifi ed medical or educational assessor must complete and sign the verifi cation portion of the form. Download Verification of Permanent Disability Form Protected Person Status Documentation A Notice of Decision issued by the Immigration and Refugee Board or Verification of Status document issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada is required. If you are designated as a protected person, you are required to obtain a temporary Social Insurance Number showing a 900 series SIN number through the Service Canada website at www.servicecanada.gc.ca. Your protected person status must be valid for the entire study period. For more information contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada website at www.cic.gc.ca or through the Service Canada website at www.servicecanada.gc.ca. Student s Consent to Release Personal Information Form Privacy legislation limits with whom we can discuss your fi le. This form is required if you would like to give your consent to have your personal and fi nancial information shared with a particular individual such as a parent or spouse. Download the Student s Consent to Release Personal Information Form Confirmation of Successful Academic Performance If, in a prior semester, you did not achieve Satisfactory Scholastic Standing (i.e., successful in 80% for Newfoundland and Labrador Student Loans; 60% for Canada Student Loans; or, 40% for both for students with permanent disabilities), you must provide written confirmation from your educational institution of the percentage of the course load you attempted and successfully completed in each subsequent semester to continue to receive student financial assistance. Students attending Memorial University of Newfoundland or Marine Institute are not required to provide written confirmation as there is electronic verification available. Program Cost Form This form is required if you are attending an educational institution other than Memorial University, Marine Institute or College of the North Atlantic unless requested. A representative of your educational institution must complete this form. Download the Program Cost Form 6 Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance
Reduced Course Load Request Form This form is required if you are requesting an exemption from the requirement to enroll in 80% of a full course load (you must be registered in a minimum of 60% of a full course load). Download the Reduced Course Load Request Form NL Skills Development Information Form This form is required if you are receiving tuition, book allowance or living allowance under the Newfoundland and Labrador Skills Development Program. A representative from the Skills Development Division of the Department of Advanced Education and Skills must complete the form. Download the NL Skills Development Information Form Employment Insurance Information Confirmation of your Employment Insurance Benefits is required and can be obtained from My Service Account through www.servicecanada.gc.ca. Scholarship Verification Confi rmation is required directly from the scholarship source if you are in receipt of a scholarship that is provided to you over more than one semester. Unless otherwise confi rmed the full amount of the scholarship will be applied to your fi rst semester of study. Birth or Baptismal Certificate This is required for each dependant child if you are a single parent, married or living common-law. Where applicable, the certifi cate must contain the names of both parents. Canada Child Tax Benefit Confirmation (Single Parents only) Confi rmation that you are in receipt of this benefi t is required. You can obtain the form by calling the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-387-1193. Childcare Confirmation If you have a child (or children) aged 11 years or under listed as a dependant on your application and you are requesting reimbursement of childcare costs, you must submit a letter from the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services verifying that you are not receiving a childcare subsidy. Your application will be assessed without childcare costs. You will be reassessed upon submission of confirmation that you have applied for but are not receiving a subsidy, along with confi rmation of the amount of your childcare expenses. Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance 7
Permanently Disabled Dependants If your permanently disabled dependant(s) is 12 years of age or older, you must submit a letter from a physician confi rming that daily care is required. You must also submit receipts verifying the amount of childcare costs claimed. Youth Services Program If you receive funding from the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services via the Youth Services Program, you must provide a letter to confi rm the amount of assistance. Confirmation of Enrolment Form This form confi rms full-time enrolment status and must be forwarded to the National Student Loan Service Center (NSLSC). See Page 2 for details. Example: if you received student loans in the past and are now returning to full-time post-secondary studies without a new student loan, you must confi rm your enrolment to maintain your interest-free status and keep your loans in good standing. NL Student Grant Eligibility Form For students studying outside the province, to determine your eligibility for an increased NL student grant. Download the NL Student Grant Eligibility Form 8 Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR FULL AND PART-TIME STUDENTS There are various policies outlined in this guide that may affect your eligibility for student fi nancial assistance. Some general policies apply to all students. You are eligible for student fi nancial assistance if you: are a Canadian citizen, have permanent resident status, or are considered to be a protected person as defi ned in subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Act; have insuffi cient fi nancial resources to meet your assessed need; are not in default on previous federal and/or provincial student loans; pass a credit check (this applies only to students who are 22 years of age or older who are applying for the first time); provide accurate personal information, including your Social Insurance Number, fi rst and last names, date of birth and gender, as confi rmed by the Social Insurance Registry of Employment and Social Development Canada; have not exhausted your maximum lifetime limit of financial assistance, including interest-free status; are registered as a full-time student or a part-time student at a designated educational institution (visit CanLearn.ca for a list of designated institutions); and are enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree, diploma or certifi cate that is at least 12 weeks in duration (if you are seeking assistance for full-time study). Note: If you declare bankruptcy while attending postsecondary and you are in receipt of student financial assistance, you will be permitted to finish the same program you had originally started prior to declaring bankruptcy if the remainder of the program is no more than three additional academic years. Switching programs will not be permitted once you have declared bankruptcy. Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance 9
COMPLETING THE APPLICATION You are encouraged to apply using the online application to ensure your application is assessed in the most timely and efficient manner. Students are encouraged to apply early to allow sufficient time to address possible issues in the application approval process. Please note application deadlines, appeal deadlines and review the list of required forms and documentation to ensure your application is fully complete. Please visit www.gov.nl.ca/studentaid for details. Section A - Personal Information Ensure you enter your full name as it appears on with your Social Insurance Number. Provide your complete mailing address as all correspondence will be sent to this address If your mailing address changes, be sure to advise the Student Financial Services Division to ensure you receive all correspondence Provide an active email address as you will receive important notifications from the Student Financial Services Division. To change your email address you must log in to your online account. Section B - Program Information Be sure to include the name of the educational institution, location, program and year of study. Depending on the educational institution you will be attending, you may require a Program Cost Form. See the Forms and Documentation section of this guide for further details. Course-load requirements Federal Student Loan To receive federal student loans/grants for full-time studies, you must be taking at least 60% of a full course load (40% for students with permanent disabilities). For part-time studies, you must be taking 20% 59% of a full course load. Provincial Student Loans To receive provincial student loans/grants for full-time studies, you must be taking at least 80% of a full course load (your educational institution will determine the percentage of a full course load you are taking). This requirement may be reduced to 60% of a full course load upon submission of a Reduced Course Load Request Form for the following students: 1. A single parent who has a child (or children) under 12 years of age and who: is enrolled in at least 60% of a full course load that includes at least one university credit course requiring lab time in addition to regular classroom time; or has a child (or children) with special needs; or has other personal circumstances that merit special consideration. 2. A student who has: a severe medical condition; or recently experienced a trauma that merits special consideration; or other documented extenuating circumstances. 10 Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance
Students with Permanent Disabilities A permanent disability is defined as a functional limitation caused by a physical or mental impairment that restricts the ability to perform the daily activities necessary to participate full-time in post-secondary studies or the labour force and that is expected to remain with the individual for the rest of her/his life. Students with permanent disabilities may receive federal and provincial assistance for full-time studies if enrolled in 40% 59% of a full course load, or federal assistance for part-time studies if taking between 20% 39% of a full course load. If applying as a student with a permanent disability, you must submit the Verification of Permanent Disability Form (available on our website at www.gov.nl.ca/studentaid/forms). Subsequent Program or Switching Programs You may be eligible for assistance beyond your initial program provided you can demonstrate that the subsequent program(s) represents academic progression, has good labour-market prospects and will not result in the accumulation of an unmanageable level of debt. You will be required to submit a rationale to support your decision. In the event you switch programs, your eligibility for assistance may be affected. If you switch programs after the end of the fourth semester or after the midpoint of your program, you will be required to provide a rationale to demonstrate that the program you are switching to has good labour-market prospects and will not result in the accumulation of an unmanageable level of debt. Faculty Registration Generally, if you are attending university, you must be registered in a faculty to continue receiving student fi nancial assistance beyond the fourth semester. The purpose of this policy is to ensure students complete their program of study in a timely manner and within the semesters of eligibility requirement. Work Terms It is possible to receive student fi nancial assistance during a mandatory work term, provided your educational institution considers you to be enrolled in full-time studies and you demonstrate financial need through the need assessment process. To determine your assessed need, you must submit confirmation from your educational institution or employer of the start/end dates of your work term and your gross weekly income. If your work term is unpaid, you must provide confi rmation of this from your educational institution or employer. Note: Internships for students studying education or preceptorships for nursing students are not considered work terms. Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance 11
Remember, if you are NOT getting a student loan during the work term, you must contact the NSLSC and confirm your enrolment to keep your existing loans in good standing and to maintain your interest-free status. Section C - Student Category Check all sections that apply to your situation. Your student category will determine the amount considered for living costs in the need assessment process. There are six student categories: single dependant student living at home; single dependant student living away from home; single independant student living at home; single independant student living away from home; married or common-law student; and single parent. You will be considered a dependant student if: you have never been married or in a common-law relationship (to be considered living common-law, you must have lived with your spouse for a period of at least 12 consecutive months); or you have never been a single parent with legal custody and financial responsibility for supporting a child(ren); or you are pursuing post-secondary education within 4 years of leaving high school; and you have not been in the labour force full-time for 2 years, excluding time spent as a full-time student. The 2 years need not be consecutive; however, each year must be a period of 12 consecutive months. You will be considered an independant student if: you are not married or living in a common-law relationship; or you are not a single parent; and you do not meet any of the other criteria for a dependant student. Student category is determined by your status on the first day of the month in which your study period begins; it cannot be changed for the remainder of that study period except in exceptional circumstances (see below). If your status changes during the Fall semester, your new status will not be reflected in the need assessment or adjusted until the Winter semester. For example, if your study period starts on September 1, 2014, but you will be getting married on October 1, 2014, your status will not be updated until the Winter semester after you have reapplied as a married 12 Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance
student and included your spouse s information on the application. A Canada Revenue Agency Signature Authorization form, a Spouse s Declaration, Consent and Signature form and Marriage Certifi cate are also required. You may change your student category from dependant to independant but only in situations where there is a family breakdown. A written explanation from an unbiased, unrelated third party who has personal knowledge of the situation and who can state the reason (s) is required. You may change your student category from married or common-law to independant student or single parent only in situations where proof of this change in marital status is provided by an unbiased, unrelated third party who can confi rm the date of separation. Section D - Parental Information (Dependant Students Only) This section requires your parental income information from line 150 of the previous year s Income Tax Notice of Assessment, including date of birth, Social Insurance Number and postal code for each parent. When listing parents dependants, be sure to include yourself. For a dependant student, the income of your parent(s) will determine the parental contribution. This amount will vary; it depends on family income after taxes, a moderate standard of living allowance (a measure of the cost of living for a family, taking into consideration regional variations) and family size. If your parents have 2 or more dependant children enrolled in post-secondary studies, the calculated contribution will be divided by the number of children. This will determine their contribution for each child. Try the Parental Contribution Calculator at CanLearn.ca or www.gov.nl.ca/studentaid to estimate what your parents may be expected to contribute towards your education. Information From (or Signature of) One Parent Information from one parent may be accepted, depending on whether a relationship exists between the student and the other (absent) parent. The parent with whom the student lives must submit an explanation as to why the second parent s information is not available. This explanation must demonstrate that there is no relationship between the student and the absent parent. Note: The refusal of parent(s) to contribute towards the cost of post-secondary education is not an acceptable reason to have parental contribution or the need for parental information waived. Scholarship Trust Fund and Parental Contribution In cases where a scholarship, trust fund, or Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) has been established for you, the parental contribution will be whichever amount is greater: the amount assessed based on your parents income(s) or on the annual amount available from the applicable trust fund. Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance 13
Section E - Residency Residency Requirements Residency is established when you have lived in a province or territory for 12 consecutive months while not enrolled in full-time studies. To be eligible for student financial assistance from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, your most recent province of permanent residence (and, if applicable, your parents or spouse s residence) must be Newfoundland and Labrador. You are considered a permanent resident of Newfoundland and Labrador if: you are a dependant student and the province of residence of your parent(s), guardian(s) or sponsor(s) is Newfoundland and Labrador; you are a dependant student, your parents are separated or divorced and the parent with whom you live or who provides your principal means of fi nancial support is considered to be a permanent resident of Newfoundland and Labrador; you are a dependant student, your parents moved away from the province but you remain in Newfoundland and Labrador to begin or continue post-secondary education within 12 months of your parents move; you are a dependant student, your parent(s) resides outside Canada but their last province of permanent residence was Newfoundland and Labrador before leaving Canada; or you are an independant student, a single parent, married or living common-law and you last lived in the province for at least 12 consecutive months, excluding time spent as a full-time student at a post-secondary institution. Protected Person Status Document A Notice of Decision issued by the Immigration and Refugee Board or Verification of Status document issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada is required. If you are designated as a protected person, you are required to obtain a temporary Social Insurance Number showing a 900 series SIN number through the Service Canada website at www.servicecanada.gc.ca. Your protected person status must be valid for the entire study period. For more information contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada website at www.cic.gc.ca or through the Service Canada website at www.servicecanada.gc.ca. Section F - Employment/Education History This section requests information for the previous five years and will assist in determining residency and student category. There should be no gaps in the applicable period. Other things to remember when completing this section: The year and month that you left high school must be included (do not use the date of graduation from Adult Basic Education or GED programs). 14 Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance
If you completed Adult Basic Education (ABE), include the start and end dates in the detailed requirements table. Periods of unemployment must be included along with the province of residence during those times. Section G - Pre-Study Information The pre-study period is up to 17 weeks before the start of full-time studies for the current academic year. For example, if you fi nish high school in June and are starting postsecondary studies in September, your pre-study period is the time between the day you fi nished high school and the start of classes in September about 9 weeks. A pre-study period cannot be less than 4 weeks in duration. For example, a break between the end of the Fall semester and the start of the Winter semester is not a pre-study period unless the break is 4 weeks or more. You are expected to work full-time during your pre-study period. From your net income, a moderate standard of living is allowed; you are then required to contribute 80% from the remaining amount toward the cost of your education. If you are married or living common-law, your spouse s income from the pre-study period will also be included when calculating the need assessment. From his or her net income, a moderate standard of living is allowed and your spouse is required to contribute 80% of the remaining amount toward the cost of your education. Earnings/Income Support/stipends and/or the value of a tuition voucher earned during the pre-study period must be reported in this section. The amount contained on line 150 of your (and your spouse, if applicable) previous tax year s Income Tax Notice of Assessment is also required. Income Confirmation Form (ICF) This form is required to confi rm the income you earned during the pre-study period for students applying prior to the start date of your fi rst semester. If you have applied and have been assessed prior to the start date of your semester, your fi rst semester funding will be issued based on your estimated pre-study income. However, in order to receive any additional funding, either for the current or subsequent semesters you must confi rm your pre-study income using the Income Confi rmation Form. If you have applied prior to the start of your fi rst semester, but your application has not been assessed prior to the fi rst day of classes, an Income Confi rmation Form will be required in order to process your application. Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance 15
If you have applied after the start of your fi rst semester, an Income Confi rmation Form is not required. Fax, email, mail or drop off the form to our offi ce at Coughlan College. Note: If the assessment for the first semester determines your financial resources exceed your costs (a negative assessed need) but the assessment for the second semester determines you will receive funding, an Income Confirmation Form for the first semester is still required. Section H - Study Period Information Your fi nancial resources (and those of your parents or spouse, if applicable) will be used to calculate the amount you will be expected to contribute toward your education. These include, but are not limited to, resources such as earned income, Employment Insurance Benefits, training allowances, pension benefits, financial investments (e.g. GICs, savings accounts, dividend income) and scholarships. The Canada Child Tax Benefi t is not considered a fi nancial resource. Employment Income If you work during your study period, there is a $100 per week exemption from your gross employment income. The remaining net (after tax) income is used as a fi nancial resource in calculating your assessed need. Your spouse is required to contribute 70% of his or her net income (after tax) during the study period toward the cost of your education. Be sure to indicate if the income will be received weekly, monthly or annually (according to the application). Scholarships and Bursaries If you receive a scholarship or bursary, you must report the total amount on your application; however, only the amount that exceeds $1,800 per academic year is considered a financial resource in calculating your assessed need. Scholarship Trust Fund and Parental Contribution In cases where a scholarship, trust fund, or Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) has been established for you, the parental contribution will be whichever amount is greater: the amount assessed based on your parents income(s) or on the annual amount available from the applicable trust fund. Reminder: Report only the amount used per academic year and not the total value. 16 Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance
Training Allowance Any income you receive by virtue of being a student (e.g., NL Skills Development, native funding) will be assessed at 100%. Section I - Married/Common-Law/Single Parent Students Only include those persons dependant on you during your study period. Do not include your spouse. Birth or Baptismal Certificate This is required for each dependant child if you are a single parent, married or living common-law. Where applicable, the certifi cate must contain the names of both parents. Canada Child Tax Benefit Confirmation This is required if you are a single parent. You can obtain this confi rmation by calling the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-387-1193. Childcare Confirmation If you have a child (or children) aged 11 years or under listed as a dependant on your application and you are requesting childcare costs to be included within your assessment, you must submit a letter from the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services verifying that you are not receiving a childcare subsidy. Your application will first be assessed without childcare costs and will be reassessed once this verifi cation is received along with confi rmation of the amount of your childcare costs. Permanently Disabled Dependants If your permanently disabled dependant(s) is 12 years of age or older, you must submit a letter from a physician confi rming that daily care is required. You must also submit receipts verifying the amount claimed. In addition to your application, there are various forms and documentation that may be required depending on your particular situation. Please review the Forms and Documentation section to determine what applies to your situation. To avoid a delay in the processing of your application, provide all required forms and documentation in a timely manner. An application is not considered complete until all forms and documentation have been received. Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance 17
IN-STUDY ASSISTANCE FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS Provincial Assistance Depending on your assessed need, you may be eligible to receive up to $140 per week of study in provincial loans and grants. NL Student Loan The fi rst $40 of the $140 weekly maximum provided by the province is in the form of a repayable, interest-free student loan. NL Student Grant If your assessed need for the provincial portion (i.e., 40%) exceeds $40 per week, the remaining amount (up to a maximum of $100 per week) will be issued in the form of a non-repayable grant. Note: Eligible Memorial University medical students can receive up to $200 per week in provincial assistance; $75 in loans and $125 in grants. If you are studying outside the province and are deemed eligible for student fi nancial assistance, you are automatically assessed for up to a maximum of $60 per week in NL student loans and an additional $80 per week in NL student grants for a combined weekly maximum of $140 for your study period. As of August 1, 2014, you may now be eligible for an increase in the NL student grant portion. If approved, this means you would receive $100 per week in NL student grants, thus reducing your NL student loans to $40 per week. To determine your eligibility for the increased provincial grant, complete and submit the Provincial Grant Eligibility Form. Note: Students enrolled in graduate studies (i.e., masters or above) outside the province will be automatically eligible for the increased NL Student Grant amount. Confirmation will be required trough submission of the Program Cost Form which is completed by your educational institution. Federal Assistance Canada Student Loans Depending on your assessed need, you may be eligible to receive up to $210 per week of study in federal student loans. When you apply and qualify for a Canada Student Loan, you are automatically assessed for most Canada Student Grants. A separate application is required for the Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with a Permanent Disability. Canada Student Grants Canada Student Grants provide non-repayable funding to help pay for post-secondary education. You may be eligible to receive more than one of the following Canada Student Grants: Grant for Students from Low-Income Families Students who qualify for a Canada Student Loan and meet the eligibility requirements for the Grant for Students from Low-Income Families can receive $250 per month of fulltime studies. This grant is available for all years of a university undergraduate, college or 18 Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance
trade program that is at least two years (60 weeks) in duration. Because the amounts for low-income grants are fixed, you could receive more money than your assessed need (refer to www.gov.nl.ca/studentaid for information on income thresholds). Grant for Students from Middle-Income Families Students who qualify for a Canada Student Loan and meet the eligibility requirements for the Grant for Students from Middle-Income Families can receive $100 per month of full-time studies. This grant is available for all years of a university undergraduate, college or trade school program that is at least two years (60 weeks) in duration. Because the amounts for middle-income grants are fi xed, you could receive more money than your assessed need (refer to www.gov.nl.ca/studentaid for information on income thresholds). Grant for Full-Time Students with Dependants Students from low-income families who qualify for a Canada Student Loan and meet the eligibility requirements can receive $200 per month of full-time studies per child who is under 12 years of age at the beginning of the study period. Exceptions can be made for low-income students with dependants 12 years of age or older who have a permanent disability (a medical certifi cate or documentation confi rming receipt of federal or provincial disability assistance is required). This grant is available for each year of post-secondary studies, provided you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. This includes post-secondary studies beyond the undergraduate level. Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities Students with permanent disabilities can receive $2,000 per academic year to help cover the costs of accommodation, tuition and books. As grant amounts are fixed, you could receive more money than your assessed need. To be considered for this grant, you must submit a Verification of Permanent Disability Form when you apply for full-time assistance (see Section B for a definition of Permanent Disability). This grant is available for each year of post-secondary studies provided you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. This includes post-secondary studies beyond the undergraduate level. Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities Students with permanent disabilities who have exceptional education-related costs associated with their permanent disability (such as costs for hiring tutors, notetakers or interpreters, braille-related expenses or technical aids), may receive up to $8,000 per academic year. To be considered for this grant, you must submit the Verification of Permanent Disability Form when you apply for full-time assistance. Once your application is processed, you will receive written notifi cation of your eligibility. This grant is available for each year of post-secondary studies, provided you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. This includes post-secondary studies beyond the undergraduate level. Note: A separate application is required for this grant. The application is available from the Student Financial Services Division or online at www.gov.nl.ca/ studentaid/forms/. Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance 19
IN-STUDY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS Federal Assistance Only Canada Student Loans for Part-Time Studies The Government of Canada offers loans and grants for part-time studies to students taking between 20% and 59% of a full course load. If you are a student with a permanent disability and you are studying between 40% to 59% of a full course load, you can choose to be considered a full or part-time student. Even though part-time loans are offered by the federal government, you must apply through the student loans program of the province you reside in while studying. As a part-time student, you may be eligible to borrow up to $10,000 in Canada Student Loans. While you are in-study you are not required to make monthly payments on your loan, and as of January 1, 2012, the federal government pays the interest on your part-time loans until you graduate or leave post-secondary. Like full-time loans, you are not required to make payments and interest won t begin to accrue until your period of studies end date or you leave post-secondary. There is no maximum duration of assistance for part-time studies; however, your outstanding loan balance cannot exceed $10,000 at any given time (excluding interest). Canada Student Grants for Part-Time Studies Canada Student Grants for Part-time Studies are available for each year of post-secondary studies, provided you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. This includes post-secondary studies beyond the undergraduate level. Students who apply for a loan for part-time studies and meet the grant eligibility requirements could receive one or more of the following Canada Student Grants for Part-time Studies: Grant for Part-Time Studies Part-time students from low-income families may be eligible for up to $1,200 per academic year (refer to www.gov.nl.ca/studentaid for information on income thresholds). Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants Part-time students from low-income families with up to two children under 12 years of age may be eligible for $40 per week of study, and part-time students with three or more children may be eligible for $60 per week of study. This includes students with dependants 12 years of age or older who have a permanent disability (a medical certificate or documentation confi rming receipt of federal or provincial disability is required) Grant for Part-Time Students with Permanent Disabilities Part-Time Students with permanent disabilities may be eligible to receive $2,000 per loan year to help cover the costs of tuition, books and accommodations. Verification of Permanent Disability Form This form is required if you are applying as a student with a permanent disability. You must sign the consent portion of the form. The verifi cation portion must be completed and signed by a qualifi ed medical or educational assessor. Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities Part-time students with permanent disabilities may be eligible to receive up to $8,000 to help offset exceptional, education-related costs. *Applicants must complete the application form to apply for this grant. (see www.gov.nl.ca/studentaid/forms/) 20 Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance
HOW ASSESSED NEED IS CALCULATED Your eligibility for student financial assistance will be determined through an assessment of your financial need. This is done by adding up the costs of your educational and allowable living expenses, and then subtracting any fi nancial resources that may be available to you. This determines your assessed need which is the amount of funding you may be eligible to receive. The formula is: Costs Available Financial Resources = Assessed Need Students with a positive assessed need will be eligible for assistance as explained in this guide. Students with a negative assessed need are deemed to have sufficient resources to cover the costs of attending post-secondary studies. The provincial government provides 40% of your assessed need to a maximum of $140 in loans/grants per week of study; the federal government provides the remaining 60% to a maximum of $210 in loans per week of study. Additional funding may be available in the form of non-repayable Canada Student Grants. Eligible Costs Living Allowance A weekly living allowance, based on your student category, is used in the calculation of costs as per the following table: Student Category Living Allowance Single student living at home $99 Single student living away from home $216 Single parent $289 Married or common-law student $430 Each dependant $100 All students are assessed according to standard costs that refl ect the costs associated with their living situation as closely as possible. Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance 21