Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada  ( INAC), (AANDC)

GUIDELINES

Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP)
The program objective is to improve the employability of First Nation students by providing them with funding to access education and skills development opportunities at the post-secondary level.

University and College Entrance Preparation Program (UCEPP)
The program objective is to provide financial support to eligible First Nation who are enrolled in university and college entrance preparation programs offered in approved Canadian post-secondary institutions, to enable them to attain the academic level required for entrance into degree and diploma credit programs.

Financial assistance may be provided in the following areas:

  • Tuition support for part-time and full-time students that may include fees for registration, tuition and the cost of books and supplies required for courses.
  • Travel support for full-time students who must leave their permanent place of residence to attend college or university. Students may qualify for funding to return home twice per academic year.
  • Living expenses for full-time students to help cover the costs such as food, shelter, and transportation.


To be eligible for funding;

  • Registered First Nation individuals (residing on or off-reserve) who have been resident in Canada for 12 consecutive months prior to the date of application for funding
  • Must provide documentation indicating that they have been accepted by an eligible post-secondary institution into either a degree, diploma or certificate program, or a UCEP program.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic standing within that institution
  • UCEP students must also obtain from the post-secondary institution offering the program a statement that lists the necessary courses to attain
  • UCEP students must not have been financially supported previously by AANDC for post-secondary programs (exemptions to this condition may be made for medical reasons).


FUNDING IS LIMITED and not all students may be funded. Partial funding may be provided.


Eligible Programs under the PSSSP and the UCEPP, an eligible program of studies (e.g. trades, sciences, arts) is a program:

  • For which the completion of secondary school studies, or the equivalent as recognized by the post-secondary institution, is required
  • Offered by a post-secondary institution that is at least one academic year in duration
  • Delivered at an eligible institution
  • UCEP programs must provide the student with the necessary courses to attain the academic level for university or college entrance.


Eligible Institutions are post-secondary institutions are degree, diploma or certificate granting institutions that are recognized by a province or territory (in Canada or abroad)

Potential selection priorities of APPLICANTS

  • Continuing students (students already being funded through PSSSP or UCEPP);
  • Recent high school graduates;
  • Deferred students (eligible but not funded in the past due to limited funding);
  • Recent PSE graduates who wish to further their studies;
  • New students already studying at a post-secondary level (students who have already completed part of their program but were not previously funded by PSSSP);
  • Returning students; and/or
  • Part-time students.


Eligible expenditures for PSSSP and UCEPP are:

  • The actual cost of tuition and other compulsory student fees;
  • Initial professional certification and examination fees;
  • Books and supplies required
  • For full-time students only, living allowances and for each dependent up to the maximum of 3 children
  • For full-time students only, the actual cost of one return trip to the student's permanent place of residence from the nearest Canadian PSE institution, not more than two trips per academic year
  • Students taking classes through distance education or e-learning who are required to travel to another location to complete their required exams may be eligible for travel support.
  • Tutorial, guidance and counselling services for students enrolled in the PSSSP or the UCEPP;
  • Application and assessment fees are not eligible for expenditures.


Full-time students must take 4 or more courses every semester


Part-time students may receive assistance for tuition and compulsory fees, books and supplies. Part-time students are not eligible for living allowances or travel costs. Part-time students are 3 courses and less.


Living allowances

  • The living allowances will be paid in Canadian dollars regardless of the location of the institution.
  • Living allowances are paid for Christmas and study breaks. Additional time may be allowed for students to settle into accommodation at the place of study at the beginning of the academic year and to move out at the end of the academic year.
  • Where two students are married to each other, and have no dependents, the living allowance for each will be calculated as a married student with an employed spouse.
  • Where two students are married to each other and have dependents, one of them will be designated as a married student with an employed spouse with dependents; the other will be designated as a married student with an employed spouse.


Limits of Assistance can be provided at four levels of post-secondary education;

  • Level 1:  Community college and CEGEP diploma or certificate programs;
  • Level 2:  Undergraduate university programs (certificate, diploma, degree);
  • Level 3:  Advanced or professional degree programs, or masters programs; and
  • Level 4:  Doctoral programs.


Limits of assistance for UCEPP

For all UCEPP full-time students and part-time students, the maximum time limit for financial support will be one (1) academic year.  Continued financial support for the term will be subject to the successful completion of the first term.

Students receiving UCEPP funding must declare the support received from this program as a source of income if applying for social assistance.

For More information in detail can be found on the INAC / AANDC

website. https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1422288926040/1422289003986


Education Branch
Indigenous Northern Affairs Canada    (INAC) , (AANDC)
10 Wellington Street
GATINEAU QC K1A 0H4
Fax number: 819-934-1478
Education@aadnc-aandc.gc.ca