- Who is eligible for post secondary funding?
Answer: ONLY a registered Six
Nations member with a valid status card can apply.
If you are a registered Six Nations member and you have met the
entrance requirements for and been enrolled in or accepted for
enrolment in an eligible post secondary program then you can apply for
post secondary education assistance through the Grand River Post
Secondary Education Office. Questions about membership can be
directed to the Six Nations membership office at (519) 445-4613.
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- Can I apply for funding without a letter of
acceptance or without confirmed registration from a College or
University.
Answer: Yes - you do not have to wait for these
items. Your information can always be changed on your
application if it is different than when your application was
completed.
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- When can an applicant expect to
hear whether their application for post secondary funding has been
approved?
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.
Application Processing Schedule |
| |
Winter 2013 |
Summer 2013 |
Fall 2013 |
Winter 2014 |
| Priorities 1 to 3 |
Oct. 19 |
Feb. 8 |
May 10 |
Oct. 18 |
| Priority 4 |
|
Mar. 1 |
June 7 |
|
| Priorities 5 to 7 |
|
Mar. 08 |
July 5 |
|
The GRPSEO’s Application Approval Processing Schedule for
2013/2014 provides the earliest date that an eligible
application can be recommended for approval. Note that applications
are processed by priority for each intake. For 2013, 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).
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
2013 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 April 1, 2013. Your
application will not be processed for funding until June 07, 2013.
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.
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- Who am I supposed to see or contact if I
have questions?
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).
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- I've been approved for post secondary
funding, now what?
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 education allowance being released. Be aware of your
institution's deadlines for residence.
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- When will my monthly education allowance be
deposited?
Answer: If you have been approved for a
monthly education allowance then it is directly deposited to your bank
account by the first of each month. Any problems with your file
at the GRPSEO may result in the deposit being delayed. Keep in
touch with our Education Counsellor to make sure everything is okay.
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- Detailed tuition fee information. What
is it?
Answer: The detailed tuition fee
information is a statement/listing which shows what fees are included
in your tuition amount. IE: Health and 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 17th for fall and January 17th for winter.
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- 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 GRPSEO.
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. Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
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
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnihb/nihb.htm
to access more information.
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- Can I get advances on my education
allowance?
Answer: No. There are deadlines and
procedures in place for receiving monthly education allowance.
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- Can I receive more book money?
Answer: No. There are limitations for book
and supply assistance.
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- Can I change academic programs if I already
started one?
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.
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- How often should I have contact with my
Grand River Post Secondary Education Counsellor?
Answer: You should have direct contact a
minimum of once per semester. Full time students will have either
direct or indirect contact with counsellors at least eight times per
year i.e.:
- To complete an application for education assistance before the next
applications deadline.
- To review progress to date, share successes and concerns.
- To discuss marks, progress reports, transcripts.
- To submit required documentation.
- To confirm that all required documentation bas been submitted to maintain eligibility for education assistance.
- To discuss your education plan.
Contact can be made with your Education Counsellor in several ways.
For example by telephone (collect calls are accepted); by mail; in
office visits and through e-mail.
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- Can I drop in to see you (education
counsellor) anytime?
Answer: Counsellors may not be available due
to the large student case load requirements so an appointment is
preferred to allow the counsellor an opportunity to review your
academic file.
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- Overpayment? How do I clear this up so that
I can receive funding again?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 per cent
(15%) discount may be applied if payment will be made in full.
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- I plan to attend post secondary at an
institution outside of Ontario, is there any difference in the funding
I will receive?
Answer: The amount of assistance has
limitations in place. 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 than this then the
outstanding tuition balance is the students responsibility.
Assistance for private and out of country institutions is available
for one level of student only.
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- Where else can I go for funding?
Answer: You can apply to the Ontario Student Assistance Program
(OSAP) for a student loan at: www.osap.gov.on.ca
We encourage all students to apply for all
scholarships/awards/bursaries that they are eligible for.
We recommend that students check at their particular institution for
any aboriginal specific scholarships and also the following:
Indspire (formerly NAAF) http://www.indspire.ca
The Foundation for the Advancement of
Aboriginal Youth (FAAY) www.ccab.com/foundation_for_the_advancement_of_aboriginal_youth
Dreamcather Fund www.dcfund.ca
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- What job employment opportunity will be
available upon completion of my program?
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 counsellors and your institution's guidance department for
information on how your employment picture will look.
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© 2000 GRPSEO.
Questions? Please contact
info@grpseo.org | Apply
On-Line |Last Update 4/20/12
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