Resources and Supports for PSE Coordinators
FNESC offers supports to First Nations communities around administering PSE funding, developing local operating agreements and other aspects of post-secondary administration,
PSE Resource Line
FNESC’s Post-Secondary Education Resource Line is a phone and email service available to First Nations PSE Coordinators in British Columbia. Through the service, coordinators can ask questions about administering the Post-Secondary Student Support Program and the University and College Entrance Preparation Program, scholarships and awards and other PSE issues.
Phone: 1-877-280-4151 Email: pse@fnesc.ca
Upcoming PSE Events
The annual series of Post-Secondary Education Coordinator Workshops is intended to support professional development of PSE Coordinators and engagement on key post-secondary initiatives. In spring of 2026, the workshops will be offered in Prince Rupert, Prince George, Kamloops, Nanaimo and Vancouver. Details coming soon!
Resources
The following collection of resources are intended to support PSE Coordinators and they have been categorized in accordance with the four pillars of the BC First Nations Tripartite Post-Secondary Education Model.
First Nations Learners
Aboriginal Learning Links lists resources for Aboriginal post-secondary learners
The PSSSP/UCEPP provides non-repayable financial support for First Nations students to access education opportunities at the post-secondary level, or to support them in obtaining the academic level required for entrance into post-secondary programs. Funding for PSSSP/UCEPP is administered by First Nations. Depending on the nature of the First Nation’s funding agreement, they may be required to administer the funding in accordance with the National Program Guidelines, their Local Operating Guidelines (if they have them) and their available budget.
- The 2025-26 PSSSP/UCEPP National Program Guidelines set out the requirements for the administration of this funding.
- FNESC Draft Local Operating Guidelines Toolkit: This template was created by FNESC to support First Nations communities in developing local operating guidelines and meeting the requirements under the National Guidelines. It includes draft template language, suggestions and considerations that First Nations may choose to incorporate in their local operating guidelines.
- ISC BC Region Approved Definitions of the Grade 12 or Equivalent Entrance Requirement: This document provides clarity on the program admission requirements that ISC BC Region recognizes as equivalent to the completion of secondary school.
StudentAidBC administers student loans, grants and scholarships in BC to support students in funding their post-secondary education.
- StudentAidBC – Student Loans provides information on how students can apply to the student loans in BC
- StudentAidBC – Grants and Scholarships provides information on scholarships and grants available to students through StudentAidBC, including supports for students with disabilities
- The StudentAidBC – Student Living Allowance Rates 2024/2025 funding maximums for students receiving student loans in BC. Coordinators may refer to this as a guide for determining funding maximums under PSSSP/UCEPP, but they are not required to do so.
The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program waives tuition and eligible fees for current and former children or youth in care who are studying full or part-time below the graduate level in one of BC’s public post-secondary institutions, the Native Education College, or an approved trades training provider. Information on the eligibility criteria and application process can be found on the website hyperlinked above.
Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment (SAJE) Program replaces the Ministry of Children and Family Development Agreements with Young Adults (AYA) Program and the Youth Transitions Program. SAJE provides supports to former youth in care between the ages of 19 to 27 who meet the eligibility criteria. Information on the supports available, eligibility criteria and application process can be found on the website hyperlinked above.
The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program is administered by Employment and Social Development Canada and “provides funding to Indigenous service delivery organizations that design and deliver job training services to First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban/non affiliated Indigenous people in their communities”. ISET delivery organizations provide funding and training opportunities for Indigenous people, and there are various ISET Delivery Organizations in BC
BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) offers resources and services for students with disabilities.
EducationPlannerBC provides information to students to support them in navigating the post-secondary education system in BC. Post-Secondary Coordinators can use EducationPlannerBC to gather information on program requirements and alternative financial resources to support their students.
The BC Transfer Guide lists courses and programs where transfer agreements have been established between post-secondary institutes that are members of the BC Transfer System. This is a helpful tool for students to see which institutions will grant them credit for a course or program taken at another. Please note that not all transfer agreements are necessarily reflected in the Transfer Guide.
SkilledTradesBC (formerly Industry Training Authority) coordinates B.C.’s skilled trades system by working with employers, employees, industry, labour, training providers and government to issue credentials, support apprenticeships and fund programs in the trades.
The Canada Learning Bond (CLB) is money that the Government of Canada deposits directly into a child’s Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) account to help parents get a head start on saving for their child’s education after high school.
First Nations-Mandated Institutes
The Indigenous and Adult Higher Learning Association (IAHLA) is the representative organization for a wide variety of Aboriginal controlled adult and post-secondary educational institutes across British Columbia. Visit the IAHLA website for a list of Indigenous and Adult Higher Learning Association Member Institutes
Community-Based Programming
BC First Nations Post-Secondary Partnerships Program (PSPP) supports First Nations and First Nations-mandated post-secondary institutes in delivering community-based programming, with the overall aim of increasing the number of First Nation students pursuing post-secondary education. For a list of the kinds of projects that have been funded coordinators can refer to the List of 2024-25 PSPP projects.
Coming soon!
Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP) funding is allocated to community organizations, Indigenous-controlled organizations, and public post-secondary institutions to deliver adult, family and Indigenous literacy programming across British Columbia. The Community Adult Literacy Program 2024/25 Contact List contains the names and contact information for organizations offering these programs.
Responsive Public Education System
The Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Partnership Agreement Toolkit (2011) provides background information, suggestions, and sample wording for the creation of agreements that reflect equitable and collaborative partnerships between post‐secondary institutions, including Aboriginal, public and private institutions, and also including private industry organizations involved with training.
Aboriginal Service Plan Initiative was established in 2007 and provides funding to BC public post-secondary institutions to improve the post-secondary educational experiences and outcomes of Aboriginal learners. For information on programming and services being offer to your students through this initiative, please contact their institution’s Indigenous Student Services Centre.
The BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit and Union of BC Indian Chiefs passed resolutions calling upon governments to adopt a distinctions-based approach to ensure the recognition and implementation of the distinct rights of First Nations in BC. Coordinators may want to refer to the resolutions in conversations with school districts or public post-secondary institutions.
The Aboriginal Data Report compares the experiences and outcomes of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal domestic learners in the post-secondary system in British Columbia.
The BC Ombudsperson can investigate complaints related to public colleges and universities in BC. Coordinators may direct students to this resource for complaints that could not be resolved directly with the institution.
