What job employment opportunity will be available upon completion of my program?

Can I get advances on my education allowance cheque?

Can I receive more book money?

Can I change academic programs if I already started one?

How often should I have contact with my Grand River Post Secondary Education Counsellor?

Can I drop in to see you (education counsellor) anytime?

When can an applicant expect to hear whether their application for post secondary funding has been approved?  

I've been approved for post secondary funding, now What?

When will my monthly education allowance be deposited?

Who am I supposed to see or contact if I have questions?

Overpayment? 
How do I clear this up so that I can receive funding again?

I plan to attend post secondary at an institution outside of Ontario, is there any difference in the funding I will
  receive?

How do I opt-out of an optional health insurance plan, and where can I access information on the Non-Insured Health Benefits?

Detailed tuition fee information.  What is it?

Answer:  You need to have clear and concise goals when choosing a career. Research the labor market for possibilities and projections for future employment. Talk to mentors, employment counselors and your institutions guidance department for information on how your employment picture will look.

Answer:  No. There are deadlines and procedures in place for receiving cheques.

Answer:  No. There are limitations for book and supply assistance.

Answer:  You need to be aware of deadlines and procedures for both the college or university as well as Grand River Post Secondary Education Office. Speak with your counsellor before you decide to change academic programs.                            Top of Page

Answer:  You should have direct contact a minimum of once per semester. Full time students will have either direct or indirect contact with counselors at least 8 times per year i.e.:

1. to complete an application for education assistance before the next applications deadline
2. to review progress to date, share successes and concerns
3. to discuss marks, progress reports, transcripts
4. to submit required documentation
5. to confirm that all required documentation bas been submitted to maintain
eligibility for education assistance
6. to discuss your education plan

Contact can be made with your Education Counsellor in several way. i.e., by telephone (collect calls are accepted); by mail; in office visits, through e-mail, and on campus visits.

Answer:   Counsellors may not be available due to the large student caseload requirements so an appointment is preferred to allow the counsellor an opportunity to review your academic file.                                                                              Top of Page

Answer:  Given the volume of applications to process, it takes at least three weeks to process an application once the processing starts for completed applications in a particular priority.  

 

 

 

The GRPSEO’s Application Approval Processing Schedule for 2008/2009 provides the earliest date that an eligible application can be recommended for approval. Note that applications are processed by priority for each intake. For 2008, there is limited processing for summer and winter applications. This is due to limited availability of funding.  Due to limited funding, priority 4 to 7 applicants are encouraged to seek an alternate source of funding (such as OSAP).  back

An application can be recommended if:
(1) the application was received by the application deadline date, 
(2) required documents were received by the application approval processing date,  
(3) the applicant is otherwise eligible, and 
(4) there are sufficient funds for the application priority.  

FYI - Education Counsellors review all applications and assign a processing priority. This priority is printed on the Checklist of Required Documentation that is sent to the applicant by their Education Counsellor.  

Example: You have submitted an application for Fall 2008 funding and your Priority is a 4b.  You have sent in all the required documents to GRPSEO including an acceptance letter from the school you will be attending. It is now June 5, 2008 . Your application will not be processed for funding until June 13, 2008 . This is the earliest date that you can expect to be notified whether your application for funding can be approved. You must decide whether to accept the offer of admission and send in a deposit to hold your seat or wait to hear about your funding application. If you have any questions please call the GRPSEO and speak to your Education Counsellor.

Answer:  You will receive a copy of the approved application in the mail along with a copy of the sponsorship letter that is sent to your post secondary institution. It is your responsibility to register with the post secondary institution depending on the college/university. Remember to check with your post secondary institution for specific dates and deadlines. If you stay in residence, you must let your Education Counsellor know prior to your first month's living allowance being released. Be aware of your institution's deadlines for residence.

Answer:  If you have been approved for a monthly education allowance then it is directly deposited to your bank account by the 1^st of each month. Any problems with your file at the GRPSEO may result in the deposit being delayed to the 15^th of the month. Keep in touch with our Education Counsellor to make sure everything is O.K.             Top of Page

Answer:  This depends on the purpose of your contact. The receptionist at the GRPSEO can direct you to the right person. When in doubt, contact your Education Counsellor. Your Education Counsellor's name is on your approved application for assistance form (pink copy).

Answer:  Once notified of an overpayment by the "overpayment report," contact GRPSEO to make arrangements about your payment. If you are successfully returning and you are unable to pay the full amount, it is possible to arrange a monthly payment schedule.  A 15% discount can be applied if payment will be made in full.  

Answer:  It is based on the mandatory tuition rate in a public post secondary institution in Canada for the same program.  If a student attends a private or out of country institution and the tuition costs are higher that this then the outstanding tuition balance is the students responsibility.

13. How do I opt-out of an optional health insurance plan, and where can I access information on the Non-Insured Health Benefits

Answer:  Only mandatory tuition and mandatory student fees are covered in approved tuition assistance through G.R.P.S.E.O.  Avoid charges for optional student fees by opting out at the start of the semester.  Check with your institution on when fees are applied and the deadlines for opting out.  
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch works with First Nations and Inuit communities, other Health Canada branches, and federal government departments to provide health programs and services.  
NIHB Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnihb/nihb.htm
The Non-Insured Health Benefits Program (NIHB) provides a range of health related goods and services to eligible beneficiaries who are status Indians, recognized Inuit and recognized Innu people in Canada. The NIHB Program offers specific health related benefits not provided by other agencies such as provincial and territorial health plans or other third party plans. These benefits include vision and dental care, medical transportation, drugs, medical supplies and equipment and others.  Visit the link above to access more information.

14.  Detailed tuition fee information.  What is it?

The detailed tuition fee information is a statement/listing which shows what fees are included in your tuition amount.  IE: Health & Dental, Association, Activity etc.  Your detailed Tuition fee information will have your name/student number on the statement.  Your acceptance package from the school will include this in your package if not you can get a student account statement off the school website, or go directly to the student accounts office and request your account statement.  Your detailed tuition fee information is due September 17 for fall and January 17 for winter.