Resources and Supports for PSE Coordinators

Consistent with the direction of First Nations, FNESC undertakes a number of initiatives that build the capacity of First Nations in regard to post-secondary education, including the development and sharing of relevant post-secondary resources and supports for PSE Coordinators.

PSE Resource Line

FNESC’s Post-Secondary Education Resource Line is a phone and email service available to the PSE Coordinators of First Nations in BC. Through this service, Coordinators can ask questions about administering the Post-Secondary Student Support Program and the University and College Entrance Preparation Program (PSSSP/UCEPP).

Our staff can answer questions about student, program, or institution eligibility, how to set up effective local operating guidelines, and reporting/record keeping.

Coordinators can reach the helpline at pse@fnesc.ca or 1-877-280-4151.

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. See our events calendar for upcoming sessions.

Resources

The following collection of resources is intended to support PSE Coordinators and have been categorized in accordance with the four pillars of the BC PSE 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.

StudentAidBC administers student loans, grants and scholarships in BC to support students in funding their post-secondary education.

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 Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a type of savings account aimed at helping people to save for a child’s post-secondary education. For more information on the RESP and its advantages, visit the website hyperlinked above.

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.

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.

The Indigenous Pathways and Partnerships Program, formerly the Aboriginal Service Plan, was launched in 2007 and provides funding to BC public post-secondary institutions to improve the post-secondary educational experiences and outcomes of Indigenous learners. For information on programming and services being offered 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.