| Post Secondary Student Support Program |
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BACKROUND
The objective of the Siksika Nation Post Secondary Student Support Program (S.N.P.S.S.S.P) is to assist Siksika members in gaining access to post secondary education and to graduate with the qualifications and skills needed to pursue individual careers.
On April 1, 1991 the Siksika Nation took control of the Post Secondary Grants Administration Program from the Department of Indian Affairs.
COMMITTEE
A post secondary committee was formed to work with the post secondary director to develop and enforce guidelines and policies that would ensure the educational needs of Siksika members are met. The committee is accountable to Chief and Council.
The post secondary committee consists of one or more Siksika Council members, one elder, one Band member who resides off-reserve and a community member from the following five areas of the Reserve: West-end, Chicago, North Camp, Washington/Shouldice, Poor Eagle Flats, Cluny/South Camp, Crowfoot and Gleichen.
The post secondary staff consists of a director, education counsellor, career-guidance counsellor and an administrative assistant.
VISION STATMENT
To strengthen, encourage and protect the post secondary educational opportunities for the Siksika Nation.
PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
In accordance with the mission statement set forth by the Chief and Council we, the Siksika post secondary committee resolve that;
Our purpose, being a part of the educative body for the people of the Siksika Nation, is to ensure that we improve the quality of life in the area of intellectual well-being. Our commitment to this aspect of the mission statement will fulfill our role to the Siksika Nation.
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I. STUDENT APPLICATION
Receiving Applications
Applications for financial support received by the S.N.P.S.S.S.P office must include as a minimum:
-A Completed application form issued by the S.N.P.S.S.S.P.
-Documentary proof that the applicant is a Siksika Nation member.
-Documentary proof of acceptance into an approved post secondary program of studies, with the following: registration, fees, transcripts and verification of dependents.
Applicants lacking any of the above documentation will be cancelled after the following deadlines AUGUST 15 (For Sept entry), DECEMBER 15 (For Jan entry), APRIL 15 (For May entry) & JUNE 15 (For July entry).
The S.N.P.S.S.S.P office may request additional documents or information.
Application Deadline – June 15th of each year.
Applications received prior to the above date will be prioritized according to the S.N.P.S.S.S.P student priority categories.
Applications received after the above deadline date must be held until it can be determined if funds are available after processing the first batch of applicants.
II. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible to apply under the S.N.P.S.S.S.P an applicant must have met university or college entrance requirements and have been enrolled or accepted for enrolment in a post secondary institution for a program of studies that is a minimum of eight months in duration.
Student Priority Categories
If support for the number of eligible applicants exceeds the budget, applications will be deferred according to the rules set out in the S.N.P.S.S.S.P.’s operating guidelines. These will be made in accordance with the following student priority categories:
1. Continuing students
2. Deferred students
3. New post secondary students
4. New U.C.E.P.P students
5. Students returning to studies
6. Students suspended for academic reasons
III. TUITION SUPPORT
Tuition support includes students’ fees for registration, tuition and books which are listed as required by the post secondary institution.
IV. SUPPORT FOR LIVING EXPENSES
A monthly living allowance is provided to full-time students based on the guidelines as set out by the S.N.P.S.S.S.P. The living allowances will be paid in Canadian dollars regardless of the location of the institution.
A full-time student is one who is enrolled in three or more in-class courses in one term, while part-time student is enrolled in less than three courses. Students must inform the counsellors of any changes regarding course(s).
V. SUPPORT FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS
Part-time students may receive support for tuition and cost of books and supplies which are listed as required by the post secondary institution.
VI. LIMITS OF SUPPORT
Support will be provided for five levels of education.
Due to funding constraints, only students who are completing certificates, diplomas and degrees by the following academic year will be sponsored Spring/Summer.
1. UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE ENTRANCE PREPARATION (U.C.E.P.)
A maximum of two semesters in high school courses. Must meet mature student requirements of institution.
2. LEVEL I
16 month of sponsorship (usually 8 months per year) in a college level program.
3. LEVEL II
a) 32 months of sponsorship (4 years) in an undergraduate degree program through university (Bachelor). At least 4 courses per semester are recommended to complete program in required time.
b) 40 months of sponsorship (5 years) in an undergraduate degree program through university that requires as a prerequisite, a minimum of a three year degree or if the university requires a combined degree.
4. LEVEL III
Sponsorship in a graduate level program through a university (Masters). As defined by the institution.
5. LEVEL IV
Sponsorship in PhD level program through a university. As defined by the institution.
VII. OVERPAYMENTS
Students, who have dropped out of a program or have withdrawn prior to the next pay period and who have not informed his/her counsellor and consequently receives an allowance cheque, must return the cheque. Failure to return cheque will constitute an overpayment, in writing, requesting the student to discuss a reasonable repayment plan. Failure to comply will jeopardize future sponsorship.
Students who withdraw from a course(s) will be subject to repayment of the tuition fees charged.
VIII. APPEAL PROCESS
Any appeals which cannot be dealt with by the post secondary staff should be addressed to the post secondary committee in writing.
Scholarship Information – Contact staff.
SIKSIKA NATION - POST SECONDARY STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO REGISTERED TREATY MEMBERS WHO ARE ACCEPTED INTO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS OF STUDY:
COMMITTEE A post secondary committee was formed to work with the post secondary director to develop and enforce guidelines and policies that would ensure the educational needs of Siksika members are met. The committee is accountable to Chief and Council. The post secondary committee consists of one or more Siksika Council members, one elder, one Band member who resides off-reserve and a community member from the following five areas of the Reserve: West-end, Chicago, North Camp, Washington/Shouldice, Poor Eagle Flats, Cluny/South Camp, Crowfoot and Gleichen. The post secondary staff consists of a director, education counsellor, career-guidance counsellor and an administrative assistant. VISION STATMENT To strengthen, encourage and protect the post secondary educational opportunities for the Siksika Nation. PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT In accordance with the mission statement set forth by the Chief and Council we, the Siksika post secondary committee resolve that; Our purpose, being a part of the educative body for the people of the Siksika Nation, is to ensure that we improve the quality of life in the area of intellectual well-being. Our commitment to this aspect of the mission statement will fulfill our role to the Siksika I. STUDENT APPLICATION II. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA III. TUITION SUPPORT A monthly living allowance is provided to full-time students based on the guidelines as set out by the S.N.P.S.S.S.P. The living allowances will be paid in Canadian dollars regardless of the location of the institution. A full-time student is one who is enrolled in three or more in-class courses in one term, while part-time student is enrolled in less than three courses. Students must inform the counsellors of any changes regarding course(s). V. SUPPORT FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS 1. UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE ENTRANCE PREPARATION (U.C.E.P.) 2. LEVEL I 3. LEVEL II a) 32 months of sponsorship (4 years) in an undergraduate degree program through university (Bachelor). At least 4 courses per semester are recommended to complete program in required time. b) 40 months of sponsorship (5 years) in an undergraduate degree program through university that requires as a prerequisite, a minimum of a three year degree or if the university requires a combined degree. 4. LEVEL III VIII. APPEAL PROCESS |
