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ATTENTION CURRENTLY SPONSORED STUDENTS
Grade reports are due after the completion of each semester. We will require new documentation for the new term consisting of your course registration and tuition fee statement. Failure to provide your grade report will result in the cancellation of your monthly living allowances. A student who will not be continuing with their program for any reason must inform our office prior to the next monthly allowance deposit date. Please review Section 12 of the Student Assistance Policy regarding a student accepting financial payments when no longer eligible.
Grade reports are due after the completion of each semester. We will require new documentation for the new term consisting of your course registration and tuition fee statement. Failure to provide your grade report will result in the cancellation of your monthly living allowances. A student who will not be continuing with their program for any reason must inform our office prior to the next monthly allowance deposit date. Please review Section 12 of the Student Assistance Policy regarding a student accepting financial payments when no longer eligible.
How to Apply for Post-Secondary Funding
at Southern First Nations Secretariat
Introduction
The goal of the Southern First Nations Secretariat Post-Secondary Program is to assist registered member students of the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and Munsee-Delaware Nation to access post secondary education in order to graduate with the qualifications and skills needed to pursue individual careers.
The Southern First Nations Post Secondary Program objectives are:
For more information on how the Post-Secondary Program is delivered, including eligibility, types of assistance, limits of assistance, etc., please review the SFNS Post-Secondary Program Student Assistance Policy. You may also want to consider reviewing the Post-Secondary Student Support Program and University and College Entrance Preparation Program: National Program Guidelines 2021-2022.
The Southern First Nations Post Secondary Program objectives are:
- To improve employability of First Nation students and increase post secondary enrollment and graduation rates.
- To the limit of funds available in the budget, the Southern First Nations Post Secondary Program will provide financial assistance to eligible students in the pursuit of their post secondary education.
- To provide for student counselling as an important part of the Southern First Nations Post Secondary Program.
- To provide financial assistance for tuition fees, books and supplies and a monthly living allowance for full time eligible students.
- The Post Secondary Program is an assistance program and not designed to meet every need a student may have.
- Funding is limited and not all students may be funded or partial funding may be provided.
For more information on how the Post-Secondary Program is delivered, including eligibility, types of assistance, limits of assistance, etc., please review the SFNS Post-Secondary Program Student Assistance Policy. You may also want to consider reviewing the Post-Secondary Student Support Program and University and College Entrance Preparation Program: National Program Guidelines 2021-2022.
Requirements
All applicants are required to:
All applicants are required to:
- Complete an Application Form online at PSE Application | Outcomes Student Information System (sfnspse.ca).
- Submit a verified copy of your OSSD/GED/ACE Certificate. (High school students may still apply for funding but must submit a copy of OSSD/GED/ACE prior to receiving funding.)
- Submit a copy of your status card (front and back) or a letter from your First Nation Membership Clerk verifying your ten-digit status card number.
- Submit a completed Direct Deposit Form from your banking institution (Canadian banking institutions only). No hand-written deposit forms will be accepted.
- Submit a signed and dated Release of Information Form (ROI), Student Contract and Career Action Plan.
- Submit your FINAL acceptance letter/official copy of course registration and fee statement. This should be forwarded to our office as soon as you receive it. (You do not need to have acceptance to an institution prior to application.)
Application Deadline Dates
For new applicants or if you are reapplying after having an extended break in your studies, please ensure that your application is received by our office prior to the dates outlined below. SFNS may have three application intake periods, depending on available financial resources.
Intercession/summer term (May to August) will only be funded when it is a regular scheduled semester for continuing students, in addition to Native specific programs which are only offered during the summer i.e. Native Teacher Training, Native Languages, Native Classroom Assistant.
Application deadlines are strict. Please submit application by 4:00 p.m on designated deadline dates. Unfortunately, late applications may not be accepted.
For new applicants or if you are reapplying after having an extended break in your studies, please ensure that your application is received by our office prior to the dates outlined below. SFNS may have three application intake periods, depending on available financial resources.
Intercession/summer term (May to August) will only be funded when it is a regular scheduled semester for continuing students, in addition to Native specific programs which are only offered during the summer i.e. Native Teacher Training, Native Languages, Native Classroom Assistant.
Application deadlines are strict. Please submit application by 4:00 p.m on designated deadline dates. Unfortunately, late applications may not be accepted.
*May 1 for the Fall Term - NEW DEADLINE DATE
October 1 for the Winter Term
March 1 for the Summer Term (Intercession)
October 1 for the Winter Term
March 1 for the Summer Term (Intercession)
Trade Schools
If you are applying to a Trade School (programs in hairdressing, esthetics, massage therapy, welding, truck driving, theology, etc.) you will need to seek financial assistance from Employment and Training/ASETA offices within your First Nation. If you are applying to a trades program with a provincially funded college or university you can apply to the post-secondary program. (Fanshawe, Lambton, St. Clair Colleges are accepted by the post-secondary program).
Please note that trade schools and private institutions are not fully covered. You will incur substantial out-of-pocket expenses. Please see the Student Assistance Policy for further information.
If you are applying to a Trade School (programs in hairdressing, esthetics, massage therapy, welding, truck driving, theology, etc.) you will need to seek financial assistance from Employment and Training/ASETA offices within your First Nation. If you are applying to a trades program with a provincially funded college or university you can apply to the post-secondary program. (Fanshawe, Lambton, St. Clair Colleges are accepted by the post-secondary program).
Please note that trade schools and private institutions are not fully covered. You will incur substantial out-of-pocket expenses. Please see the Student Assistance Policy for further information.
Funding Distribution
- Tuition fees are paid directly to the college/university/institution.
- Books and supplies are paid to a maximum of $1000 per school year. Original receipts must be submitted to our office. Please use your status card when purchasing books and supplies as PST will not be reimbursed.
- Monthly living allowance rate is $1,350 per student. Students in residence can elect to have SFNS pay residence fees with their living allowances in one lump deposit.
- Direct deposits are made directly to your bank account at 12:01am on the second-last business day of each month. Please see the Direct Deposit Schedule for a list of deposit dates.
Adding and Dropping Courses
It is the responsibility of each student in receipt of financial assistance from the SFNS Post-Secondary Program to seek guidance and approval from your SFNS counsellor prior to adding and/or dropping courses during or after a semester has started. Students dropping below the minimum requirement of 15 credit hours/class time are deemed to be a part-time student. Part-time students are ineligible for monthly living allowance.
It is the responsibility of each student in receipt of financial assistance from the SFNS Post-Secondary Program to seek guidance and approval from your SFNS counsellor prior to adding and/or dropping courses during or after a semester has started. Students dropping below the minimum requirement of 15 credit hours/class time are deemed to be a part-time student. Part-time students are ineligible for monthly living allowance.
