捆绑SM社区

捆绑SM社区.CA / Office of Indigenous Initiatives

Indigenous Tuition Initiative

Beadwork done by Shannon Cross

Background

捆绑SM社区 is moving forward with one of its key reconciliation commitments outlined in the institution鈥檚 52 Calls to Action. Specifically Call # 13 calls on the university to:鈥���

鈥淚mplement a student funding model similar to the Haudenosaunee Promise at Syracuse University, which provides tuition and mandatory fee waivers for Indigenous learners from proximate territories.鈥濃���

Commencing in the Fall of the 2024/2025 academic year, 捆绑SM社区 will be providing the equivalent of the cost of tuition and mandatory student fees to eligible students identified below. This initiative is an expression of 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 desire to engage in relationship-building, partnership and collaboration with Indigenous communities. 鈥�

The Objectives of the Tuition Initiative:鈥��

  • Support Indigenous students鈥� educational choices鈥�

  • Remove financial barriers to education for students鈥�

  • Increase the number of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit graduates鈥�

  • Support Indigenous community strategy through offsetting tuition costs鈥��

  • To act upon 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, outlined in 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 52 Calls to Action.

  • Measure Indigenous student success听to inform future policy decisions鈥�

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Advancement of this initiative is facilitated by 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 Office of Indigenous Initiatives in partnership with Student Accounts and the respective academic units with community partnerships engaged in this initiative. Our intention is to implement this initiative in stages.听Later stages will work towards extending this initiative to other Indigenous students enrolled at 捆绑SM社区.鈥�

Read More About the Initiative

Definitions

Applicant: a person who applies for the tuition initiative听

Awards: based on both academic merit and financial need听

Bursaries: based on financial need听

Scholarships: based on academic merit听

Indigenous Education Authorities: refers to the body within a specific Indigenous community which is responsible for post-secondary student support and funding (e.g. can be education centers, training institute, councils). Sometimes referred to as Indigenous 鈥榮ponsor鈥�.听听

Full-time and Part-time: Full-time and part-time studies are defined by the educational institution and depends upon level of study. For this initiative, students must be mindful that Indigenous education authorities within the Category A communities may have different definitions of 鈥榝ull-time鈥� which students must adhere to in order to be eligible for living allowances.听听

Category A- 5 identified communities: refers to Kahnaw脿:ke (QC), Kanesatake (QC), Akwesasne (Ontario & QC), St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (USA), and Six Nations of the Grand River (Ontario)听

Category B- Education partnerships: Refers to identified Indigenous communities who are currently in partnership agreements with the School of Continuing Studies, Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, and School of Social Work. 听
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Community endorsement: Documented support by the Indigenous education authority鈥檚 post-secondary officer and/or Director.听听

Community-Based Sponsorship Lists: These are existing lists already delivered to Student Accounts which identify the student who is covered by band funding. The community presently receives an invoice for this student.听
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捆绑SM社区 Funded Tuition Initiative List: This new list must be sent to the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. It identifies eligible students for the tuition initiative.听 OII will consolidate the tuition initiative list from communities and forward this information to Student Accounts. Communities will not receive an invoice for these students.听

鈥楩or-credit鈥� Courses: A course that contributes to the fulfillment of the requirements for a degree or diploma program. Successful completing a for-credit course earns a student academic credits, which are counted towards the total credit requirement for graduation. These courses are identified with a course number and have formal evaluation processes.听

Non-credit courses: A course that does not count towards a degree or a diploma, or that does not result in academic credit. These courses are often designed for personal or professional development outside of academia, rather than fulfilling the requirements of a formal academic program. For more information, visit the .听听

Special Students: Special Students are students enrolled in for-credit courses without seeking a diploma from 捆绑SM社区, at either the undergraduate or graduate level. They may be professionals, recent graduates, or those seeking advanced qualifications for future professional or educational achievement. These students must meet certain academic requirements and are often subject to similar academic admissions policies as degree-taking students.听听

Visiting Students: Visiting Students are enrolled in a degree program at another post-secondary institution and are taking courses at 捆绑SM社区 to transfer credits back to their home institution. These students must obtain permission from their home institution and meet 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 admission standards. Examples of 鈥淰isiting Students鈥� include exchange students or students enrolled in collaborative academic arrangements between post-secondary institutions.听听

Status: A person who is registered as an Indian on the Registrar of the Federal Government鈥檚 Indian Register.听

Indigenous: A person who is recognized as 鈥渙ne of the aboriginal peoples of Canada鈥� within the meaning of section 35 the Constitution Act, 1982, which further states that for the purposes of the Constitution, the 鈥渁boriginal peoples of Canada includes the Indian, Inuit, and M茅tis peoples of Canada鈥�. This policy (consistent with general Canadian practices) understands the term 鈥淚ndians鈥� in the Constitution to now be replaced by the term 鈥淔irst Nations鈥�.听

Non-Status: A person who identifies as an Indian or First Nations and is not registered on the Government of Canada鈥檚 Indian Register but who: 1) is a direct descendant of a parent or grandparent who is/was a Registered Indian on the Government of Canada鈥檚 Indian Register and holds/held a valid Status Card; 2) is on a Band membership list where the Band has control of its membership list; or 3) is on the enrolment, citizenship, registry or membership list of an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement.听

First Nations: A person who self-identifies as an Indian or as First Nations, whether Status or Non-Status. Applicants are required to provide proof of First Nation identity by providing a valid Certificate of Indian Status (a 鈥淪tatus Card鈥�) or a citizenship, membership, registration or enrolment card issued by: 1) the Registrar of the Federal Government鈥檚 Indian Register; 2) a Band within the meaning of the Indian Act that has control of its membership list; or 3) by an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement.听

Inuit: A person who self-identifies as Inuit. Applicants are required to provide proof of Inuit identity by providing a valid Inuit identity card issued by:by 1) an Inuit organization that is recognized by the Government of Canada, 2) an Inuit organization that is recognized by the Government of Nunavut; or 3) an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement.听

惭茅迟颈蝉: A person who self-identifies as M茅tis. Applicants are required to provide proof of M茅tis identity by providing a valid M茅tis citizenship, membership, registration or enrolment card issued by: 1) one of the M茅tis Settlements in Alberta, 2) a provincial organization that is a member of the M茅tis National Council, which includes the M茅tis Nation British Columbia, the M茅tis Nation of Alberta, the M茅tis Nation Saskatchewan, the Manitoba M茅tis Federation and the M茅tis Nation of Ontario; 3) an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement; or 4) a M茅tis organization that is recognized by the Government of Canada.听听

Tuition and Enrolment Certificate (T2202): is a tuition tax receipt issued to all students for tuition related to the calendar year. It shows the amount of tuition and fees that can be deducted for income tax purposes as well as the number of months eligible for the education deduction, if applicable, for full-time studies.听

T4A: A Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income (T4A) is provided by the University to students who have received awards, including scholarships and bursaries.

捆绑SM社区 "Tuition Initiative List": This new list must be sent to the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. It identifies eligible students for the tuition initiative. The Office of Indigenous Initiatives will consolidate the 鈥�"Tuition Initiative List" from communities and forward this information to Student Accounts. Communities will not receive an invoice for these students. Communities can give their tuition initiative list directly to the Office of Indigenous Initiatives or through the liaison in School of Continuing Studies, Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, or Social Work who will provide it to OII.

Program Eligibility

Eligible Programs:听

  • Includes full-time and part-time students, enrolled in degree and 鈥榝or-credit鈥� courses, with certain program approval required (see below)听

Ineligible Programs听

  • Currently, non-credit courses are not eligible for this initiative as part of Phase 1.听

  • Special approval is required for certain programs and circumstances, outlined below听

What is covered?听听

  • Tuition charges and mandatory student fees for credit courses听

  • Mandatory DFE (departmental) and AFE (academic) fees up to $200.00 (example of such fees are the nursing clinical skills kit)听

  • Mandatory field trips, up to $300听

What is not covered?听听

  • Tuition and fees for non-credit courses听

  • (Opt-outable) health and dental fees听听

  • Housing/rent or transportation costs听

  • Living allowances and textbooks听听

  • uPrint charges (for printing). First Peoples鈥� House offers free printing to Indigenous students听

  • Meal Plans听

  • Fees for optional field trips听

  • OneCard charges (food and dining service)听

  • Fines, interest charges, and late registration fees听

  • Based on 捆绑SM社区 Senate Regulations, International students (St. Regis Mohawk Tribe) will still need to purchase health insurance through International Students Services through Blue Cross.听听

  • Any other fees that are non-mandatory听opt-outable听
    听

Special Approval Required for the Following Programs:听

These specialized programs have a self鈥恌unded rate of tuition. If you are a student considering any of the following programs, approval must be obtained by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives before you register, by emailing Indigenoustuition [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Program%20Inquiry-%20Tuition%20Initiative)

  • Master of Public Policy (Faculty of Arts)听

  • 捆绑SM社区 HEC Montreal Executive MBA听

  • MBA/Law Program听

  • Master of Management and Analytics听

  • Master in Management in Finance听

  • Master of Management in Retailing听

  • Master of Business Administration听

  • International Masters for Health Leadership听

  • International Master Program for Managers听听

  • Masters of Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management听听

  • Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management听听

  • Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting听

  • Joint Executive MBA听

  • Any other existing or future self-funded program (except for those offered through partnerships listed in Category B)听

  • Any non-credit activity within the School of Continuing Studies, the Executive Institute, or other 捆绑SM社区 Faculties听

Special Approval Required for the Following Circumstances:听

  • Eligible students who are registered as Special or Visiting and are taking a credit course, are eligible with the endorsement of their Indigenous community education authority听

Eligible Indigenous Students

Category A听
Indigenous Students who are community citizens/members of the following local/proximate Haudenosaunee communities regardless of whether they are on-campus or in-community learners:听

  • Kahnaw脿:ke (QC)听

  • Kanesatake (QC)听

  • Akwesasne (Ontario & QC)听

  • St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (USA)听

  • Six Nations of the Grand River (Ontario)听

Notes on Category A

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  • Indigenous students who are not enrolled on their community鈥檚 registry, but who are federally recognized as members of the eligible communities must apply through the Office of Indigenous Initiatives using the application form. Eligibility criteria from Indspire will be applied. Students not able to access funding for living allowances and books through their community must continue to apply for those through the . 听

  • This initiative does not include First Nations, M茅tis and Inuit students who are not enrolled citizens/members of the identified communities but may be living within one of these identified communities in Category A.

Category B听
Students who are First Nations, Metis, or Inuit students and are taking courses delivered through the following formalized educational partnership with School of Continuing Studies, Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, and School of Social Work:听

  • Cree Nation of Mistissini (QC)听

  • Cree Nation of Eastmain (QC)听

  • Cree Nation Government (QC)听

  • Cree Nation of Chisasibi (QC)听

  • Cree Eeyou Resource and Research Institute (QC)听

  • Ouje-Bougoumou Cree Nation (QC)听

  • Makivvik (QC)听

  • Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (QC)听

  • Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (QC)听

  • Cree School Board (QC)听

  • Naskapi Education Committee (QC)听

  • Listuguj Education Directorate (QC)听

  • Micmacs of Gesgapegiag (QC)听

  • Mamu Tshishkutamashutau Innu Education (NL)听

  • Nunavik (QC)听

  • Kanehsat脿:ke Mohawk Language Custodian Association*听听

  • Kahnawake Education Center*听

*We acknowledge two partnerships exist (Kahnawake Education Center and Mohawk Language Custodian Association of Kanehsat脿:ke) which are listed in Category B, but by their citizenship/community affiliation are also eligible under Category A.听

Notes on Category B听

  • Indigenous students in these partnerships are eligible for this initiative up to the completion of their degree, certificate, or diploma offered as part of the partnership. Partnerships are renewable. 听

  • The tuition initiative does not apply to every citizen/member of the Indigenous community identified in Category B, only those taking courses through the partnership agreement with SCS, OFNIE, or SW.听

  • Education authorities are at liberty to include non-Indigenous students in their program partnership, but this initiative will not cover tuition and fees for those non-Indigenous individuals. It will be up to the community to decide if 捆绑SM社区 is billing the non-indigenous student directly, or if they would be added to a community-funded sponsorship contract.听

Application Process and Details

Step 1: Where to Apply

Category A (Sponsored Students): Students from one of the five identified communities in Category A do not need to apply directly to 捆绑SM社区 for this initiative. This waiver will be applied automatically to their account when their community鈥檚 education authority provides 捆绑SM社区 with their information. Students are strongly encouraged to continue to apply for living allowances and books, as this initiative excludes those expenses.听听

Students not sponsored by their community -- Indigenous students who are not enrolled on their community鈥檚 registry, but who are federally recognized as members of the eligible communities must apply through the Office of Indigenous Initiatives using the application form. Eligibility criteria from Indspire will be applied. Students not able to access funding for living allowances and books through their community must continue to apply for those through the .

听

Category B:听Sponsored students do not need to apply directly to 捆绑SM社区 for this initiative. The waiver will be automatically applied to their account when the community's education authority provides 捆绑SM社区 with their information. From the list of identified partners with the School of Continuing Studies, Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, and School of Social Work, the respective education authorities/partners must confirm the eligibility of their students for this initiative, ensuring that they are First Nations, Metis, or Inuit members and are part of their partnership program.听听

听

Step 2: Receiving and Processing Eligible Students

Category A: For Kahnaw脿:ke, Kanesatake, Akwesasne, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, and Six Nations, once citizenship/membership validation occurs, the "Tuition Initiative List" from each community will be sent by the education authority to the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at indigenoustuition [at] mcgill.ca. We have provided an appendix for the Category A "Tuition Initiative List" template.听 听
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Category B: For OFNIE, SCS, SW partnership communities, they will be asked to provide their "Tuition Initiative List" to their respective administrative liaison in OFNIE, SCS, and SW or directly to the Office of Indigenous initiatives at indigenoustuition [at] mcgill.ca. We have provided an appendix B for the Category B "Tuition Initiative List" template.

听

Step 3: Confirmation

捆绑SM社区 will report back to education authorities that the student has been processed. Transcripts are not included in the reporting. The obligation of students in reporting their grades will remain a matter of education authority policy.听

OII will also provide students who applied to OII directly with confirmation that they have met eligibility for the tuition initiative and the coverage has been processed. 听

听
Deadlines听

The regular deadlines for education authorities to send 捆绑SM社区 the Community-funded sponsorship list and the 捆绑SM社区-funded "Tuition Initiative List" are:听听

  • For Fall: July 24听
  • For Winter: November 24听
  • For Summer: March 24听

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If the student in Category A is not on their community鈥檚 band list and is therefore applying through the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, they must fill out the application form by:听听

  • For Fall- July 7th 听
  • For Winter- November 7th 听
  • For Summer- March 7th听听

Assessment is based on documented affiliation with a community in Category A.听听

听

Financial Implications for Students

This initiative will be technically considered an award not based on merit nor financial need, which means it will be taxable and a T4A will be issued to the student. Students are advised to consult with a tax expert on their particular circumstances and inform their education authority if they cannot participate in this initiative. 听
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Frequently Asked Questions

If your question is not answered below, please email us at indigenoustuition [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Tuition%20Initiative%20Questions)

How do eligible students apply for the tuition initiative?听听

Category A: Students from one of the five identified communities in Category A will apply through their community鈥檚 education authority using the organization鈥檚 existing documentation, as they regularly do when they apply for post-secondary funding. Students are strongly encouraged to continue to apply for living allowances and books, as this initiative excludes those expenses. The education authority will confirm the student meets their existing membership/citizenship eligibility criteria for funding. The community will provide 捆绑SM社区 with a list of students eligible for the initiative automatically. The student does not need to apply directly to 捆绑SM社区.听听

Indigenous students who are not enrolled on their community鈥檚 registry, but who are federally recognized as members of the eligible communities must apply through the Office of Indigenous Initiatives using the application form. Eligibility criteria from Indspire will be applied. Students not able to access funding for living allowances and books through their community must continue to apply for those through the . 听
听
Category B: From the list of identified educational partnerships with the School of Continuing Studies, Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, and School of Social Work, the respective education authorities/partners must confirm the eligibility of their students for this initiative: that they are First Nations, Metis, or Inuit members and are part of their partnership program. The list of eligible students will be given to 捆绑SM社区.

Why is 捆绑SM社区 using Indspire鈥檚 criteria to determine eligibility of Indigenous persons for the tuition initiative?

捆绑SM社区 does not currently have a student-focused Indigenous citizenship/membership policy in place (this work is in progress) but did not wish to delay this important financial initiative aimed at supporting Indigenous students. For this reason, 捆绑SM社区 is adopting a partnership model, working with Indigenous communities and groups identified in Category A and Category B to identify eligibility. 听
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Until a student-focused Indigenous citizenship/membership policy is in place at 捆绑SM社区, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives will apply Indspire鈥檚 criteria to determining eligibility for Category A communities, which the institution already uses to determine eligibility for the 捆绑SM社区 Ok貌n:ra Undergraduate Award.听听

Indspire鈥檚 eligibility criteria for Indigenous persons includes: Inuit Beneficiary, M茅tis Nation, Non-Status First Nation, Status First Nation.听

Status: means a person who is registered as an Indian on the Registrar of the Federal Government鈥檚 Indian Register.听
听
Indigenous: means a person who is recognized as 鈥渙ne of the aboriginal peoples of Canada鈥� within the meaning of section 35 the Constitution Act, 1982, which further states that for the purposes of the Constitution, the 鈥渁boriginal peoples of Canada includes the Indian, Inuit, and M茅tis peoples of Canada鈥�. This policy (consistent with general Canadian practices) understands the term 鈥淚ndians鈥� in the Constitution to now be replaced by the term 鈥淔irst Nations鈥�.听

Non-Status: means a person who identifies as an Indian or First Nations and is not registered on the Government of Canada鈥檚 Indian Register but who: 1) is a direct descendant of a parent or grandparent who is/was a Registered Indian on the Government of Canada鈥檚 Indian Register and holds/held a valid Status Card; 2) is on a Band membership list where the Band has control of its membership list; or 3) is on the enrolment, citizenship, registry or membership list of an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement.听

First Nations: means a person who self-identifies as an Indian or as First Nations, whether Status or Non-Status. Applicants are required to provide proof of First Nation identity by providing a valid Certificate of Indian Status (a 鈥淪tatus Card鈥�) or a citizenship, membership, registration or enrolment card issued by: 1) the Registrar of the Federal Government鈥檚 Indian Register; 2) a Band within the meaning of the Indian Act that has control of its membership list; or 3) by an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement.听

Inuit: means a person who self-identifies as Inuit. Applicants are required to provide proof of Inuit identity by providing a valid Inuit identity card issued by: 1) an Inuit organization that is recognized by the Government of Canada, 2) an Inuit organization that is recognized by the Government of Nunavut; or 3) an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement.听

惭茅迟颈蝉: means a person who self-identifies as M茅tis. Applicants are required to provide proof of M茅tis identity by providing a valid M茅tis citizenship, membership, registration or enrolment card issued by: 1) one of the M茅tis Settlements in Alberta, 2) a provincial organization that is a member of the M茅tis National Council, which includes the M茅tis Nation British Columbia, the M茅tis Nation of Alberta, the M茅tis Nation Saskatchewan, the Manitoba M茅tis Federation and the M茅tis Nation of Ontario; 3) an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement; or 4) a M茅tis organization that is recognized by the Government of Canada.

What is the process for validating student eligibility?

Category A. Community education centers will review an applicant鈥檚 eligibility based on the community鈥檚 internal citizenship/membership eligibility for post-secondary funding. Once reviewed and approved, education authorities will send the "Tuition Initiative List" to the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at 捆绑SM社区. The Office of Indigenous Initiatives will work with Student Accounts to process the "Tuition Initiative List". 听
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Indigenous students who are not enrolled on their community鈥檚 registry, but who are federally recognized as members of the eligible communities must apply through the Office of Indigenous Initiatives using the application form.听

Category B. Student eligibility, based on these guidelines and the community criteria, is verified by the partnership community/group. The student must be a First Nations, Metis, Inuit person and taking courses through a partnership program.鈥淭uition Initiative Lists鈥漺ill be provided to the Office of Indigenous Initiatives directly or through the liaison in School of Continuing Studies, Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, or Social Work.听听

I am a member of one of the Category B communities, but am not in a program offered through a partnership with the School of Continuing Studies (SCS), Office of First Nations and Inuit Education (OFNIE) or School of Social Work (SW). Am I eligible for the tuition initiative?

No. At this time, Phase 1 of this initiative does not include all citizens of the Nation/community initiating the partnership. It only includes members who are taking course offerings through partnerships with School of Continuing Studies, Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, or Social Work.

Will my application for this coverage impact my ability to receive other 捆绑SM社区 scholarships, fellowships, aid, or awards?

No, this application is independent of students being considered for other 捆绑SM社区 financial aid and awards (whether based on academic merit or financial need). For more information about the other funding opportunities dedicated to Indigenous students: /studentaid/special-funding/indigenous-student-funding)

Will I be eligible for the 捆绑SM社区 Ok貌n:ra Undergraduate Award, and other opportunities, if I receive the tuition and fee initiative?

Yes. This initiative does not take away other opportunities for scholarships, bursaries, awards, or incentives offered through the Scholarships and Student Aid Office.

The Ok貌n:ra $5,000 Award is allocated annually to every Indigenous student in any undergraduate degree program, including on-campus Bachelors, Law (BCL&JD), Medicine (MDCM), and Dentistry (DMD), with a complete application and confirmed Indigenous affiliation. Students must carry a full-time course load, unless approved by the 捆绑SM社区.

Will my application for this waiver impact my ability to receive other 捆绑SM社区 scholarships, fellowships, aid or awards?

No, this application is independent of students being considered for other 捆绑SM社区 financial aid and awards (whether based on academic merit or financial need). For more information about the other funding opportunities dedicated to Indigenous students:听/studentaid/special-funding/indigenous-student-funding.

Will I be taxed if I receive benefits from this initiative?

Students who benefit from this initiative will receive a T4A and a RL1 slip for the amount of the payment to their fee account. Students are advised to consult with a tax specialist about the tax implications of the payment. We are not able to give tax advice to individuals. If you are unable to benefit from this due to your tax circumstances, inform your education authority.听

What happens if my student account shows an outstanding balance, but I鈥檓 supposed to be eligible for the tuition initiative?

Review your Account Summary by Term in Minerva. Look down the right-hand 鈥楤alance鈥� column to see on which charges the balance is resting. If you have a balance on charges that should be covered by the tuition initiative reach out to the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. The OII office will review your eligibility and ask Student Accounts to add you to the 鈥渢uition Initiative List鈥� if appropriate.听

If the balance is resting on charges not covered by the 鈥淭uition Initiative List鈥� then you (the student) are responsible for clearing your balance by the due date on your most recent e-bill. You can find the accepted payment methods on the Student Accounts website.听

I have a hold on my account and cannot register for classes because my account shows an outstanding balance, but I'm supposed to be exempt. What should I do?

Look at your Advising Transcript in Minerva. If you have anything other than an 鈥楢R鈥� hold (Fees owing >= $100), look at the Help text to find out the reason for the hold, and how to clear it.听听

If you have an 鈥楢R鈥� hold, review your Account Summary by Term in Minerva. Look down the right-hand 鈥楤alance鈥� column to see on which charges the balance is resting. If you have a balance on charges that should be covered by the 鈥淭uition Initiative List鈥� reach out to the OII office. The OII office will review your eligibility and ask Student Accounts to add you to the 鈥淭uition Initiative List鈥� if appropriate. If this clears your balance the hold will lift.听

If the balance is resting on charges not covered by the 鈥淭uition Initiative List鈥� then you (the student) are responsible for clearing your balance by the due date on your most recent e-bill. You can find the accepted payment methods on the Student Accounts website. Once the payment is received, the hold on your account will lift.听

If you are unsure about what is covered or not covered under the 鈥楾uition Initiative List鈥� please refer to the first and second questions in this FAQ list.听

What if a student fails a course, or multiple courses? Will they have to pay back the tuition?

Students are responsible for remaining in satisfactory academic standing (CGPA of 2.00 or greater). 捆绑SM社区 has a number of resources to support students, including subsidized tutoring through First Peoples鈥� House and academic advising within their faculty. If a student fails a course or two, they will not be required to pay back the tuition and fees.

What if a student falls into academic difficulty?

If there are extenuating circumstances which cause a student to fall into academic difficulty or they are no longer attending class, students are encouraged to consult with their education body or sponsor. In addition to that, students must comply with department and faculty requirements to remain in good standing.听听

Education centers within the student鈥檚 community provide academic counselling and have their own performance criteria which students must adhere to. Students are encouraged to work with their education body to develop a plan that will ensure their academic success, and/or determine when it is necessary, for whatever reason, to pause their studies.

Will students need to give the Office of Indigenous Initiatives their transcripts?

Students are responsible for reporting their grades to the relevant educational authority in their community, as per education authority funding policies. The Office of Indigenous Initiatives will not ask students for copies of their transcripts. 捆绑SM社区 will only confirm with the education authority that the student has been covered by the tuition initiative.

How long will 捆绑SM社区 cover my tuition and fees?

Students in Category A are covered until the completion of their course/program/degree. Students are permitted to re-apply for subsequent degrees.听听

Students in programs delivered through specified partnership agreements through the Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, School of Continuing Studies, and School of Social Work (Category B) are eligible for this initiative up to the completion of the degree, certificate, or diploma offered as part of the partnership. Partnership agreements are renewable.

If a student eligible through Category A completes a course/certificate/degree under this initiative, can they apply again?

Yes.听A student in Category A will be eligible for this initiative following the completion of their course, certificate/diploma, degree, or program; however, they will be required to apply again.听

What documents will be needed if I am applying directly to the Office of Indigenous Initiatives because I鈥檓 from one of the five identified communities but not on my band鈥檚 list?

The application form on the OII website and one of the following:听听

  • A copy of an Indian status card听

  • A Haudenosaunee Passport

  • A certified copy of an enrolment card or written confirmation of membership/enrollment from a US or Canadian federally recognized band/tribal authority.听

  • Other documents to support the criteria for eligibility will be accepted and reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All documentation provided will be reviewed by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.听听

Will I lose coverage through this initiative if I drop one of my courses?

The tuition initiative will cover the total tuition cost for an approved program of study. The tuition initiative coverage will be applied to your student account after the last day to add or drop a course for the term.听听

听

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