ELIGIBLILITY

​Am I Eligible for support?

For anyone to be eligible for support, applicants must be a registered M’Chigeeng First Nation Band Member under the Indian Act or the Membership Code.

• Bill C-31 students must provide a letter of reinstatement from the Department of Indian Affairs. 
• Applicants who transfer from other First Nations must provide a letter from their previous First Nation and official documentation from the post secondary institution verifying their sponsorship and academic history. This letter will determine their place on the priority list.
• The program of study must be available at an accredited institution recognized through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
• The applicant must prepare for and meet the entrance requirements for the College or University of their choice.
• All applicants (full or part time) must complete and submit all required post secondary forms to the Post Secondary Education Office by the deadline date, March 30th, each year.
• The applicant must personally arrange a personal 30-minute interview with the Post Secondary Counselor upon notification of approval for funding.

• All students must maintain the MFN Post Secondary Education Dept. minimum average (2.0 GPA/60%) for funding to continue.
• All students must maintain the institution’s minimum average for funding to continue. (You can find the institutions minimum average in the course's outline.)

• All continuing students must re-apply each year and submit their official transcripts from the previous academic year in order to process their request for continued sponsorship.
• Applicants deferred from the previous year must reapply for funding to keep their application active. If they do not reapply by the deadline date, the Education Department will consider them no longer interested.
• Applicants who have a debt with M’Chigeeng First Nation must make payment arrangements to repay their debt at the student rate of deduction (5%).

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​What is considered an eligible PS program?

An eligible post secondary program must be offered by an accredited institution recognized through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

• The program of study must be a credit for a certificate, diploma, undergraduate or graduate degree.
• Programs less then one academic year which are prerequisites to post secondary programs of at least one academic year in duration.
• Programs offered by private post secondary institutions will be reviewed on an individual basis as will additional qualifications for practicing professionals. 
• Apprenticeships are included!

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Programs Not Eligible for Funding

​The following programs will not be funded:

• Career/College Exploration
• General Interest Courses
• University or college entrance programs that result in secondary school credits.
• Vocational Training, includes training for entry skills and knowledge required to enter an occupation
• Skills upgrading

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​However...
There are many other sources to receive funding for these and other programs such as Ontario Student Application Program (OSAP) and M'Chigeeng First Nation Local Delivery Mechanism (LDM) Department for the vocational training, skills training and apprenticeships under the Purchase of Training Program. For programs such as Upgrading, individuals may apply for LBS through the Ontario Basic Skills Program, link here.