Approved Applications
Getting Ready for Post Secondary
Once students reach us on their educational path, they should have themselves prepared for post secondary admission.

Below is a breakdown of what the student can expect to be doing to prepare for post secondary and what the Grand River Post Secondary Education Office can assist with once the student applies for post secondary funding. 

THINGS STUDENTS DO
To get Prepared for Post Secondary Studies

1. Select your high school courses. You will need to review and research what you will need to study in order to help you toward your future study/career requirements. E.g. Nursing Career - you will need to take sciences (chemistry and biology) at the Grade 11 and 12 level. 
2. Not sure what you want to do? Then complete interest testing, skills and aptitude testing, career counselling and planning to help you determine what your career will be. (E.g. Career Cruising or Choices software may be available at your high school.) 
3. Get work experience, or do volunteer work in your area of interest to help you in your career planning. In this way, you get a better sense if you will like the career. 
4. Determine your post secondary destination > will it be an Apprenticeship? College? University? Research and select the schools you would like to attend. 
5. Apply to the post secondary institutions by completing the required applications keeping in mind the deadline dates (College or university applications). 
6. Look at your financial picture. Plan to save for your school years, as the assistance you will receive from our office typically will not be enough to live on.
7. Decide whether you will live in residence while at school. 
8. Apply for post secondary funding assistance by required deadlines. Submit all documents as they become available. 

THINGS the GRPSEO does
once you have applied to the GRPSEO for Post Secondary funding

1. Assist students with our application process for financial assistance, and process their applications. Provide an orientation session with first time approved students to review services provided, rules and guidelines, and to outline the students' responsibilities. 
2. Accountability activities which involve monitoring the students who are approved for funding. This includes a once a semester contact with all students, monitoring all documents required to maintain eligibility, reviewing grades and doing appropriate follow-up.
3. Student support provided to individual students as required. This can involve referrals to other agencies that may be able to assist the student and options students may consider to resolve their specific needs. 
4. Due to time constraints we provide limited, general information to students regarding other application processes such as College/University Admissions, Ontario Students Assistance Program (OSAP), and various scholarship applications. 
5. To a limited extent, participate in community initiatives such as career fairs. Network with other organizations on post secondary information. Promote post secondary awareness with elementary/secondary school students.
   
   

On the road to post secondary
The primary focus of the Grand River Post Secondary Office is to provide financial assistance and student support services to Six Nations members who are studying at the post secondary education level. There are four Education Counsellors at our office who work with the approximately 700+ students who are annually approved for educational assistance. 

We at Grand River Post Secondary share one common goal with every student, and that goal is for each student to become a successful graduate in their chosen field of study. 

Our role at the elementary and secondary education level is therefore limited to:

Providing basic educational information and encouragement to Six Nations students in grades 7 through 12. 

Key messages for parents: 

Regular attendance and good study habits help build a solid foundation for future learning. 

Encourage your child to be the best that he or she can be - so that no door will be shut to them. 

At least once a month ask your child - What do you want to be when you grow up? What do you have to do to learn to do this? This will help build the mind set for education and career planning. 

The earlier a student prepares and plans for their education and career, and the more informed they are, then the easier it will be for them to make informed career decisions. 

Begin an education savings plan. Funding through GRPSEO is limited. There is never enough money to fund all eligible students. Most students who receive funding also take out student loans or work to cover all costs.

Key messages for elementary/high school students:

Helpful ways to finding a career and educational path

• Develop a profile - Keep a file or portfolio of the following; 
  • Interest and skills quizzes 
  • Formal and informal assessments 
  • List activities and whether it was liked or disliked 
  • Work and volunteer 
  • List of occupational options 

Looking for a program and educational institution 

• Consider programs that; 
  • Coincide with your aspirations and aptitudes 
  • Provide you with employability upon graduation 
• Consider schools that: 
  • Will provide student support services required for success (ie. School size, Aboriginal student services, admission requirements, etc) 
• Additional things to consider; 
  • How much money does a professional in the field make? 
  • How long does the program take to complete? 

For education - bottom line - High school matters!! 

• Did you know… 
  • Students must select Grade 9 courses in Grade 8 
  • Course choices in Grade 9 and 10 effect choices available in Grade 12 

The course selections you make now are dependent on your destination! 

• Gear your selections to your post secondary destination. Potential post secondary destinations: 
  • Apprenticeship 
  • Workplace 
  • College 
  • University 

• Levels of study in high school 
  • College - applied courses 'C' 
  • University - academic courses 'U' 
  • University/College - Open 'M' 

Facts about high school you need to know! 

• To receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma a student must; 
  • Complete 30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 optional) 
  • Pass grade 10 literacy test 
  • Complete 40 hours of community involvement activities 

Application to college or university 

• Grade 11 marks will be considered for admission 
• Be aware: Not having completed Grade 12 required courses for admission to College or University by February can in some cases be a disadvantage 
• Equal consideration deadlines: 
  OCAS - Feb 1st 
  OUAC - Jan 11th 

"I don't know what I want to do!" 

• Keep your options open 
  • Take math and science courses throughout high school 
  • Take academic level courses that will meet entry requirements to college or university 
• Health professionals are in need 
• Get some volunteer/work experience in areas that interest you 
• Consult with a guidance counsellor 
• Stay in high school for another year 

Sources of funding 
( Note: The funding you receive from GRPSEO will not cover your actual costs.)

• GRPSEO 
• Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) 
• Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) 
• Bursaries 
• Scholarships 
• Work study programs 
• Bank loans 
• Private sponsors

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© 2000 GRPSEO.  Questions? Please contact info@grpseo.org