Post-Secondary Education Assistance Program Policy

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq’ (CMM) Post-Secondary Education Assistance

Program exists to provide financial assistance to eligible registered band members from

the following member bands (Annapolis Valley, Bear River, Glooscap, and Pictou

Landing) in gaining access to Post-Secondary education and to graduate with the skills

and competencies needed to pursue individual careers and to contribute to the

achievement of Mi’kmaq self-government and community self-reliance.

I. POLICY INTRODUCTION

1. The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq’ Post-Secondary Education Assistance

Program is intended to provide financial assistance to eligible registered band members

from, Annapolis Valley, Bear River, Glooscap, and Pictou Landing First Nations

towards the cost of their Post-Secondary education.

1. This policy outlines:

a. Eligibility criteria to be met by students in order to qualify for financial

assistance;

b. Types and levels of allowance available through the program;

c. Duration of assistance that may be provided while a student attends a

postsecondary education program;

d. Student policies concerning:

1. Application process

2. Student Career Plan

3. Course Load Policy

4. Academic Probation Policy

5. Course Withdrawal Policy

6. Tutorial Policy

7. Re-admission Policy for students who have Withdrawn or

been discontinued

1. Attendance at Intercession/Summer Session

2. Progress Documentation

3. This policy is effective April 1, 1994 and will apply to all students funded from the

1994-1995 academic year on.

II. DEFINITIONS

In this policy:

a. “BAND MEMBER” means a person whose name is registered on the band list of

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq member bands.

b. “Post-Secondary EDUCATION” means a program of studies offered by a

recognised Post-Secondary institution for which completion of secondary school

or equivalent is required for admission.

c. “PROGRAM OF STUDIES” includes all Post-Secondary programs that are at

least one year in duration, leading to a certificate, diploma or degree.

d. “Post-Secondary INSTITUTION” is a degree, diploma and/or certificate granting

institution that is recognised by a province and include educational institutions

affiliated with or deliver accredited Post-Secondary program by arrangements

with an accredited Post-Secondary institution.

e. “Full-time STUDENTS “ taking at least 4 full credits, PART TIME STUDENTS

taking less than 4 full credits.

f. “ACADEMIC YEAR” is as defined by the Post-Secondary institution.

g. “ELIGIBLE STUDENT” means a registered band member of The Confederacy of

Mainland Mi’kmaq’ member bands who meets all admission requirements of the

Post-Secondary institution, and the funding application requirements of The

Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq.

III. ELIGIBILITY

1. To be eligible to apply for assistance under this program policy the applicant:

a. Must be a registered band member of a CMM member band;

b. Must have met Post-Secondary entrance requirements.

1. Financial assistance will be provided within the limits of funds allocated to The

Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq by the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern

Development Canada. Students will be deferred if the number of eligible

applicants exceeds the annual approved budget.

1. The following criteria will be used by CMM in the approval process. Deferred

students from the previous year will be included in the appropriate category.

Priority Criteria:

Priority 1 - Continuing students who are presently enrolled and have

successfully completed an academic year and will be continuing in their present

program for the next academic year. Students who ceased to attend because of

a medical reason, which can be documented by a valid medical certificate, will

be considered a Priority 1 when they reapply.

Priority 2 - Secondary school graduates living in Nova Scotia

Priority 3 - Mature applicants living in Nova Scotia

Priority 4 - Secondary school graduates from outside Nova Scotia

Priority 5 - Mature applicants living outside Nova Scotia

Priority 6 - UCEP Students; or Students who have accessed the maximum years

of full funding at their applied Level – acceptance for additional funding will be

at the discretion of the Education Advisor and Education Directors.

Priority 7 - Students seeking Graduate studies/PHD

Priority 8 - Students who have previously dropped out or discontinued their

program

IV. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

1. Tuition - includes the compulsory cost for application, tuition, and the cost of

books and supplies, which are listed as required by the Post-Secondary

institution. Should a student be the recipient of a scholarship/ bursary designated

for either tuition, textbooks or living allowance, that amount will be deducted

from the student’s allocation.

Should the scholarship/ bursary have no designation, the student may keep full

amount.

1. Travel Assistance - available to students who must attend a Post-Secondary

institution outside of Nova Scotia because their program of studies is not offered

within Nova Scotia. They may qualify pending budget for travel assistance for

themselves once per semester. The most economical form of transportation will

be used.

1. Assistance for Living Expenses - a monthly living allowance will be provided

according to the Post-Secondary financial assistance category as determined and

approved by CMM’s Education Advisory Committee. Should a student decide to

live in residence, the amount allotted for the student for a living allowance will

be used to cover the cost of the residence and meal plan. Should the cost exceed

the student’s allowance allotment, the student will be responsible for the balance

due. A student may work part time, but no more than 19 hours per week.

1. Books/Supplies - when the student’s initial books/ supplies funds are spent, a

course syllabus must be submitted with their original receipts, for

reimbursement. Receipts for Fall term must be submitted no later than

November 16, 2020. Winter term receipts must be submitted no later than

February 21, 2021.

1. Late Fees - CMM will not be held responsible for any late fees incurred by

students. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that deadlines are met.

1. Full-time Students - will receive assistance for tuition, books, and travel (as

approved) in addition to living expenses.

1. Part Time Students - will receive assistance for tuition and books (as approved).

V. DURATION OF ASSISTANCE

Assistance will be provided to eligible students attending:

a) Undergraduate programs including bachelor’s degrees, professional degrees,

diplomas and certificates;

b) Graduate programs, including advanced or professional degree programs at

the Master’s or Doctoral level.

c) The duration of assistance will be the official length of the programs as defined

by the Post-Secondary institution.

d) Students enrolled in undergraduate-level programs may be assisted for up to

one additional academic year only if an extension is approved in writing by the

Faculty Chair, or the program’s Dean.

CMM maintains a list of approved institutions. Students are advised to check with

the Education Advisor before applying to an institution as the list is subject to change.

VI. STUDENT POLICIES

A. Student Responsibilities

i. Students may apply to the Post-Secondary institution of their choice, but

not a Private Institution. Conditional acceptance and final acceptance from

a Post-Secondary institution does not guarantee that financial assistance

will automatically be approved.

ii. Students must submit an application for funding to CMM by 4pm June

15th for the Fall and Winter Sessions. New students must include a copy

of their Status Card and their acceptance letter from the institution they

were accepted. Returning students must submit an application form and

marks from their last term.

iii. Students wishing to attend the Winter Session must apply for funding by

October 15th.

B. New applicants must provide in writing their Educational Plan and Career Goals

And Objectives. This Education/Career Plan is mandatory and must include the

location of the university the student wishes to attend. They must also include a

copy of their Status Card. New applicants will be reimbursed for application fees

to programs identified in their career plan. The Post-Secondary Education

Counsellor and the Education Advisor are available to assist students with their

education and career plans.

C. Course Load Policy - Students are required to register in a minimum of four (4)

full credits or eight (8) half credits to be considered as full-time students. Any

exception has to be approved in writing prior to the student registering for their

courses.

D. Academic Probation Policy - Students who do not satisfy the following academic

requirements will be placed on Academic Probation:

i. Students who do not pass three full units of credits in five consecutive

units.

ii. Students who obtain a grade point average of at least 1.00 (D or 53-56) and

less than 1.50 (60-62 or C-) and who have not already incurred probation

(they are, however, eligible to re-register).

iii. Students who have accumulated more non-passing grades than the

number of merits earned are required to withdraw from the faculty.

iv. iv) Part-time students who have not attained a quality point average of

1.50 (C-) after taking any five consecutive course(s).

E. Terms of Probation

Students who have not satisfied the academic requirements of their program

shall be expected to do the following:

i. Meet with an Indigenous Education Counsellor on a regular basis as

determined by the CMM ‘s Education Advisor

ii. Have their programs approved by the appropriate education staff.

iii. Discuss their program with the Education Counsellor at the initial

meeting and provide sufficient information such as past term papers, past

tests, course contents and outlines, so that the Counsellor may be able to

determine the student’s academic deficiencies and counsel accordingly.

iv. Enrol in a study skills program offered at their respective universities to

improve their existing skills. In addition, these students will be required to

submit receipts showing that they have successfully completed the

program.

v. Pass five (5) consecutive full units.

vi. Have attained a quality point average of 1.50 (C-) at the end of the

academic year or their full-time funding will be discontinued.

vii. Achieve a quality point average of 1.50 during their first year of full-time

studies or first five (5) courses taken after being placed on academic

probation to remove probationary status.

F. Course Withdrawal Policy

A student may drop a course anytime during the first four to six weeks of the

semester in which the course is offered; however, the following procedure must

be adhered to when withdrawing from courses:

Should a student withdraw from a course(s), he/she is required to notify and

receive approval from the Post-Secondary Indigenous Education Counsellor.

He/she will then notify the main office of the change(s) to ensure that, if

necessary, updates can be made to student files. If a student withdraws from a

course(s) without following this procedure and the withdrawal has an adverse

effect on student funding, i.e. overpayment of allowance and/or tuition, the

student will be responsible for reimbursing CMM for any costs incurred.

G. Tutorial Assistance

Students are entitled to fifteen hours of tutoring. Forms are available from the

Aboriginal Student Advisor or the main office in Truro. Students must have the

professor of the course in which they require tutoring complete the form and

recommend a tutor. Students are to keep track of tutoring time - not to exceed

fifteen hours. The rate of payment for tutoring will be $12.00 per hour. A tutorial

billing form must then be forwarded to the Education Advisor for approval.

Tutorial bills that are not signed and approved by the Education Advisor will not

be paid (see copy of form attached at the end of the policy handbook).

H. Academic Dismissal or Dropout

Students who drop out or are dismissed from a program must wait two years

before they are eligible to reapply for funding from CMM. Students will remain a

Category 8 until the waiting period has elapsed and they are approved for

funding.

Any monies owing to CMM by the student because of withdrawal or dismissal

must also be reimbursed before the student’s application will be considered for

approval.

I. Attendance at Intercession/Summer Session

Pending budget, a student may be considered for tuition & textbooks for an

Intersession or summer session only if they pass all courses and have funding

time left and they are in need of those courses for graduating in the fall. A Post-
Secondary application form must be filled out and marks from the year must be

submitted before he or she can be considered.

J. Students are required to submit their midterm marks by the Second Friday of
January and final marks by June 15th. Failure to do so will result in their

monthly student allowances being withheld or application not being approved.

K. Allowances

Students will be issued living allowances monthly. The cheque information will

be available to student’s mid-August of each year. Under no circumstances will

student allowance cheques be issued prior to the dates approved by the

Education Advisor.

Appeal Policy

To ensure fairness and equitable treatment, CMM has developed the following appeal

process:

Any student who is convinced that CMM’s policy on Post-Secondary education

assistance has been unfairly applied to their situation may appeal the decision

within 30 days commencing the day of notification. A written appeal must be

forwarded to the Executive Director of The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq at

52 Legends Avenue, Millbrook NS, B6L 0A3.

An Appeal Board, consisting of CMM Executive, will be convened to hear the

appeal. The student appealing may be accompanied by a representative of their

choice at the Appeal Board.

The procedural role of the Education Advisor in the appeal process is restricted

to providing information upon request.

The decision of the Appeal Board is to be consistent with the CMM Post-
Secondary Education Assistance Program Policy and is final and binding.

TO BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO:

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq

52 Legends Avenue, Millbrook NS, B6L 0A3

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have been given a copy of The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq Student Handbook,

which includes the Policies and Procedures of Post-Secondary Education Funding. I

have carefully read the CMM Student Handbook and understand its terms.

I agree to abide by the terms of the Handbook including Policies in all respects and

understand that compliance with the CMM Student Handbook is a condition of my

funding.

Student (Print Name)

Student (Signature)

DATE