The applicant must have completed high school or its equivalent Adult Basic Education program, and must have been accepted or conditionally accepted for enrollment in a recognized post-secondary institution. Clients with previous post-secondary success, already possessing a certificate or diploma may be accepted based on those credentials. General Equivalency Diploma (GED) is not an acceptable high school equivalency.

In the case where Grade 12 or equivalent is not required for admission, then applicants are required to meet the entrance requirements and be accepted in a recognized post-secondary institution.

To apply for Post-Secondary support you need to fill out a Funding Application, include the necessary documentation and mail or drop off to our Client Intake Officer, Judy Falle.

Judy’s mailing address is:

The Education and Training Department
Attention: Judy Falle,
Client Intake Officer
P.O. Box 460
St. George’s, NL
A0N 1Z0

• Proof of membership in the Qalipu First Nation Band. Include a photocopy of one of the following: your Temporary Confirmation of Registration Document or your Secure Certificate of Indian Status Card.
• An Acceptance or Provisional Acceptance Letter from the Educational Institution.
• A copy of your Grade 12 Transcript or proof of Adult Basic Education. Level 3 students applying to Post-Secondary studies, you must include your Level 2 Transcript and your Level 3 Mid-Term marks.
• A breakdown of expenses is mandatory. You may obtain this from your Educational Institution or from your Educational Institution’s website.
• You must also include a breakdown of semesters by date to the end of your Course of Study. You must indicate if any of these semesters are classified as paid or unpaid Work Terms. See page five (5) of the application form.
• If you are currently enrolled in the Course of Study and are requesting funds to complete that program, you must provide a Transcript from the Educational Institution regarding your present Academic Status. On-line printouts are acceptable if they display the student name.
• A written summary (not more than 250 words) of why you have chosen this field of study and what your career goals are after completion of the Course of Study.
• If you are completing courses through distance education or part-time, you need to include a detailed action plan indicating the designation being sought the length of the training and your planned timeline for completion.
• If you are applying for funding to complete an ABE program, please include an action plan to sustain future employment with your funding application.
• You must also register with the Qalipu membership database “Kinu” in order to receive funding. Please visit: www.qalipu.ca/login-options

Please note: Your application will not be considered complete if all documentation listed above is not attached.

All funding applications must be dropped off at the Qalipu First Nation Band Office in St. George’s or mailed to:

The Education and Training Department
Attention: Judy Falle,
Client Intake Officer
P.O. Box 460
St. George’s, NL
A0N 1Z0

Please note: Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Fall Semester: June 30
Winter Semester: October 31
Spring/Intersession/Summer: February 28

Please note: Applications will be date stamped when the completed application form and all necessary documentation have been received. Due to the large volume of applications being submitted, applications are reviewed on a first come-first serve basis based on student priority categories.

Priority 1: Returning Students
Clients currently being funded through the PSE Support Program. September 9, 2013

Priority 2: Deferred Applicants
Students who are reapplying for support having had their previous application deferred for lack of funds. Note: At the end of the fiscal year any surplus may be used at the discretion of The Education and Training Department, to fund Applicants whose name appears on the deferred list, and are enrolled in classes. This support may include tuition, living allowance, and/or books paid for by the students themselves. Those students who receive this surplus funding are not considered funded through the remainder of their program and will not need to reapply to be considered for any future funding.

Priority 3: New Applicants – Current Post-Secondary Students
and Recent High School Graduates
Students currently enrolled in high school, a post-secondary or graduate level program in the previous year and continuing in a post-secondary or graduate level program. A student who is completing the last two semesters of an undergraduate degree and continues on to an advanced degree program of studies without a break in studies or a student who completes a community college or CEGEP program and continues on to an undergraduate degree program without a break in studies, is considered a new applicant. High School graduates remain continuing student for up to two years following graduation.

Priority 4: New Applicants (PSSSP)
Other post-secondary students accepted or enrolled in a post-secondary institution.

Priority 5: New Applicants (UCEP)
Other post-secondary students and students accepted and enrolled in university and college entrance preparation programs. Within this priority category a region may rank particular programs of study based on regional demand. The regional priorities must be based on consultation with Indian education leaders in the regions and be publically available. Also, regions will report these priorities to education branch, headquarters for information purposes.

Priority 6: PSE Graduates
This category includes those students who have completed an undergraduate degree or college diploma previously and have been funded by The Education and Training Department in the last five (5) years and do not satisfy the requirements set aside for special consideration under Priority 3.

At its discretion, The Education and Training Department will prioritize students within each group according to the described criteria set out in these Local Guidelines.

Late applications will not be considered for funding in that semester but rather deferred for review to the next application deadline.

A deferred application is one where an eligible applicant is denied support due to lack of funds.

The Education and Training Department shall put the application on file and review the deferred application at the next possible application deadline. Students must submit their official academic record to the Client Intake Officer, Judy Falle within fifteen (15) days of the completion of each semester. If this record is not received, the applicant will be taken off the deferred list.

Eligible expenses are tuition and books. Some students may be eligible for a living allowance. If you are accepted for Post-Secondary Support, a Post-Secondary Benefit Agreement (contract) will be sent to you outlining your financial assistance and maximum allowable costs. You are not entitled to receive the maximum amount outlined in your benefit agreement if it is not used for eligible expenses.

The following expenditures are not eligible for support:
• Medical Insurance;
• Miscellaneous Fees, which includes but is not limited to residence fees, locker fees, parking, bus passes etcetera;
• Late fees;
• Safety equipment;
• Uniforms;
• Tools and materials;
• Books and texts that are not identified on the syllabus. Optional books and texts are not      eligible and;
• Travel Costs.

The Education and Training Department reserves the right to exercise discretion with respect to what constitutes an ineligible expenditure.

The Education and Training Department does support training for individuals for the Heavy Equipment Operator Program.

Applicants who are enrolled in a Post-Secondary institution full-time on campus may be eligible for a living allowance.

Please Note:

• Distance education and part-time students are not eligible for a living allowance.
• Students completing Masters or Doctoral thesis must be completing 3 or more courses to be considered full-time for the purpose of receiving living allowances. A Thesis will carry the weight of one (1) course in determining full or part time status.
• Applicants who are in receipt of Employment Insurance Benefits (EI) are not eligible to receive a living allowance during the duration of their claim.
• Living allowances will not be paid when the client is working in excess of 20 hours per week or exceeds a maximum gross salary of $250.00 weekly.
• Students who are completing a paid work term.

If a student receives living allowances when s/he is not eligible, s/he will be required to re-pay the amount paid to him/her.

No. Qalipu First Nation Band does not pay medical insurance for University or College programs.

Yes. All ABE students must include an action plan with their funding application to sustain future employment and must be at least 20 years of age. The student is responsible for completing a least 1 credit every 2 weeks.

No. Students are responsible for having sufficient resources to pay for tuition and books up front. You will be reimbursed if you provide the proper documentation within the specified timeframe. The Education and Training Department will not pay any late fees or balances on a student’s account.

Funding is not guaranteed. Funding agreements are based on budgets and money received from Funding Agencies; therefore, it is difficult to determine exactly when you will be notified. You may wish to seek alternate funding opportunities.

Many fields of training include work terms in the curriculum of the program. The Education and Training Department will maintain a maximum of 10 weeks allowance while the student is participating in the required on the job training if the work term is unpaid. Work terms may be done outside the province, if employment chances are greater. Transportation costs will not be paid for students to complete their Work Term. It is the responsibility of the student to notify their CSO of any work term(s) during their study period.

Responsibilities of Students:

• All documents MUST be mailed or dropped off to the Client Services Officer (CSO) that was assigned to you.
• Please remember that The Education and Training Department is a reimbursement program and you will be reimbursed for tuition and books once you have sent in your original receipts, a detailed account summary and course syllabi within 15 business days of the beginning of each semester. It is your responsibility to have sufficient resources to pay all tuition and book fees up front.
• Banking Information – A direct deposit form is sent with your contract and you must sign the direct deposit form and fill it in correctly in order for the payments to be made. It is always best to have the bank fill out the direct deposit form or to have a void cheque attached. The bank account must be in the name of the clients.
• Transcripts – You must provide your Client Services Officer with official academic records as soon as it is made available to you. Your official academic record must be received by your Client Services Officer no later than fifteen (15) days after the completion of each semester for which you are receiving funding. Your marks must have your name displayed on them or they will not be accepted.
• Book Receipts – You must provide original receipts for books. Clients may receive funding towards the cost of purchasing books necessary for the Eligible Program in which they are enrolled. Clients must provide documentary evidence (course syllabus) indicating the books that were purchased are required by the eligible program. If clients purchase new books, the original receipt must be from the book store and have the name of the book listed on the receipt. Used books are an eligible expenditure, with a maximum allowable of up to 50% of the new/original costs. Clients must provide evidence when submitting receipts for reimbursement of the cost of the book to purchase new. Clients must also provide a receipt for the used book that has the name and signature of the seller, name and signature of the buyer (client), date of sale, cost and the name of the book being purchased. If more than one used book is on the receipt, the cost and name of each individual book must be on the receipt.
• Tuition Receipts – To reimburse tuition, we must have a detailed account summary from the Educational Institution which displays your name and shows all fees incurred for each semester. This documentation must be received by your CSO no later than 15 business days after the beginning of each semester.
• You will be responsible for ensuring you register for the correct courses in your specified program and that you register on time. The Education and Training Department will not be responsible for any late fees associated with late registration and payment.
• You must obtain a Clear Academic Standing as determined by your Post-Secondary institution. If you fall below this minimum standard you are immediately placed on probation for the period of one semester after which continuation of funding will be reviewed by your Client Services Officer, Manager of The Education and Training Department and Director of The Education and Training Department.
• If you quit a program without just cause, or if you do not attend school for a semester, or if you are terminated by the school or The Education and Training Department because you are not fulfilling your Post-Secondary Benefit Agreement (contract) then you will repay The Education and Training Department the total amount that was paid out to you during the current semester and your contract will be terminated.
• You must remain capable of graduating on the date that was initially contracted by The Education and Training Department. If you require an extension, you will need to speak with your Client Services Officer as extension requests are not guaranteed.
• You are responsible for notifying your Client Services Officer if you drop any courses throughout the semester. If you drop a course, that amount must be repaid back to The Education and Training Department. Failure to repay during the current semester will result in a deduction of the following semester’s tuition.
• You must notify your Client Services Officer if you wish to change Educational Institutions or programs. Changing Educational Institution or programs could terminate the funding agreement and the student may have to re-apply for Post-Secondary Support.
• You must notify your Client Services Officer of any work terms and you must clearly indicate if they are paid or unpaid.
•  You must notify your CSO if any of your contact or banking information changes.

You should mail or drop off your original or scanned receipts, detailed account summary and course syllabi to your Client Services Officer as soon as possible but it must be received NO LATER than 15 business days after the beginning of each semester. If the original or scanned receipts, detailed account summary and course syllabi are not received within 15 business days of the beginning of each semester, tuition and book expenses will not be reimbursed. No exceptions.

Each student must provide their Client Services Officer with official academic records as soon as it is made available to the student. However, it must be received by your Client Services Officer NO LATER than fifteen (15) days after the completion of each semester

You should speak to your Client Services Officer before you change educational intuition or programs because your funding agreement could be affected and you may have to re-apply for Post-Secondary Support.