Education Programs
Basic Program Description
The Board of the Gwaii Trust Society places a strong priority on assisting high school, post-secondary and mature students in their educational quests. For accredited post secondary institutions please visit http://pctia.bc.ca The Education “bundle of programs” includes high school scholarships, post-secondary education grants, post-secondary tours, and mature students’ bursaries. The Board of Directors noted that trades are as equally valued when pursing post secondary opportunities as the academics and encourage students to apply for the grants.
A separate program category also exists for special education projects that do not fit into the above categories. This separate program is intended to attract applications for new and innovative programs that are not simply augmenting government programs of general application that Haida Gwaii residents already support through their provincial and federal taxes. The Board will look for applications under this category that address the unique educational concerns of Haida Gwaii, in culturally appropriate and pragmatic ways.
Guide to Applicants
The Board will allocate and annual budget for this bundle of educational programs. The budget for fiscal year 2009/2010 is:
| High School Scholarships/Bursary | $ | 40,000.00 |
| Post-Secondary Education Grants | 75,000.00 | |
| Post-Secondary Institution Tours | 30,000.00 | |
| Mature Student Bursary Program | 150,000.00 | |
| Special Initiatives in Education | 50,000.00 | |
| $ | 345,000.00 |
High School Scholarship/Bursary
In 2006, the Gwaii Trust Society made a five-year commitment to the two high schools on-island to establish scholarships/bursaries disbursements on an annual basis. Both George M. Dawson and Queen Charlotte Secondary Schools will allocate $40,000.00 worth of scholarships and/or bursaries to deserving graduating students based on the policies of each school. High school students are encouraged to apply at their respective high school on Haida Gwaii.
Post-Secondary Education Grant Deadline is August 27, 2010.
Once approved you must fill out a Direct Deposit Banking form and submit to the Old Massett office. (Direct Deposit Slip)
(please print the PDF application and follow the instructions at the bottom of the application)
The PSEG was developed to encourage Graduating Grade 12 students to continue their education by providing a financial incentive to assist in offsetting their post-secondary expenses. Graduating Grade 12 students are eligible for a grant of $1,500.00 for the purpose of furthering their post-secondary education. The recognized high schools on Haida Gwaii are: Agnes L. Mathers, Queen Charlotte Secondary School, and George M. Dawson.
The following criteria apply to this program:
- Each graduating student must apply to this program through the Gwaii Trust
- Each student must submit their application by August 28th
- Grant recipients may receive up to five consecutive grants towards their educational studies, and are only eligible for one grant per academic year
- Post-Secondary education must consist of full-time attendance at an accredited post-secondary institution.
- Post-Secondary education must begin within twenty-four (24) months of Grade 12 graduation and prioritization will be given to students who have graduated on Haida Gwaii
- Attach an essay or cover letter with a brief description of your course outline, family history, work history, and your career or academic goals.
- Attach a letter of recommendation for example; teacher/coach/parent
Completed application forms must be submitted to the Gwaii Trust Society office by August 27, 2010.
Post-Secondary Institution Tours
No application form for this program. Please submit a cover letter and proposal requesting access to the Post Secondary Institution Tours funds and attach all supporting documentation as outlined below. Once approved please fill out a direct deposit banking form (direct deposit form).
The Gwaii Trust Society established the Post-Secondary Institution Tours for local high school students on Haida Gwaii to experience post-secondary institutions off-island prior to graduating from grade twelve. The Gwaii Trust has allocated $30,000.00 to this program: $15,000.00 for each high school to assist in travel costs for Grade ten or eleven students to travel to post-secondary institutions in order to become familiar with college lifestyle, and academic requirements once they graduate.This program will fund $750.00 per student, up to a maximum of 20 students for each high school ($15,000.00).
Both high schools must provide a proposal to the Gwaii Trust, which details the following:
- Purpose of the trip
- Travel Itinerary
- Number of students
- Total Budget and source of funds
- Letter of support from the Principal
Mature Student Bursary Program
Online Application Form
(please read the program guidelines attached)
Once your application has been approved please fill out a (Direct Deposit Slip) and send it to Leslie Williams at the Old Massett office.
The Gwaii Trust Society has established a Mature Student Bursary program for eligible students returning to school. Upon application, a Student Bursary will be considered for Haida Gwaii mature students enrolled in accredited post-secondary institutions. There are bursaries available each year in the following categories:
- Environment/Forestry/Fishing
- Professional/Tech/Medical
- Technical/Vocational
- Arts/Fine Arts/Culture
- Administration/Accounting and General Studies (3 credits)
- Mature students are defined as individuals who have been accepted by educational institutions for further study but have not attended a post-secondary institution in the past two years.
- Applicants must be residents of Haida Gwaii. Residency will be defined by living on Haida Gwaii for one 1) full year prior to application to this bursary program.
- Applicants must provide proof of registration in a college or university on a full-time basis (i.e. be registered in a minimum of three full credit courses per term)
- Each recipient must utilize the bursary in the upcoming fall or winter session. The bursary will be awarded to the student in one installment. The payment will be awarded after the student has submitted to the Gwaii Trust Society their acceptance letter (from the Post-secondary institution) and a copy of their first semester courses. Each recipient will be approved for two (2) bursaries, to be utilized in two (2) consecutive years.
- Minimum payable per course to equal the amount paid by the student for registration fees. The student is required to pass or confirm attendance to a minimum of 95%, or return the Bursary funding. Failure to do so may result in the withholding of all future Gwaii Trust Funding.
The following scale will be used for disbursement of bursaries:
1 course = $ 500.00 bursary
2 courses = $1,000.00 bursary
3 or more courses = $1,500.00 bursary
Or minimum payable per course to equal the amount paid by the student.
A student can apply up to three (3) times per year, for a maximum allocation of $1,500.00 per fiscal year. Minimum payable per course to equal the amount paid by the student for registration fees.
Applicants must include the following when applying for assistance:- Completed, signed application form
- Self-written letter on family background, work history and goals for the future
- Any additional information pertaining to the application should be included on a separate page.
Special Initiatives in Education
The Gwaii Trust Society has initiated a program for special education projects on Haida Gwaii. The program will provide funding to schools, communities, and education organizations on Haida Gwaii who are undertaking unique educational programs and/or services. The Gwaii Trust has allocated $50,000.00 for this program in the 209-2010 fiscal year.
This is an open program and available anytime throughout the year. Open program submissions will be reviewed at the next scheduled allocation meeting or within 15 business days of receipt of application.
The program supports applications that focus on funding to schools, communities and educational organizations on Haida Gwaii who are undertaking unique educational programs or services.
Please submit all supporting documentation on the same day, missing information will be considered an incomplete application. Forward all letters of support, proof of income and expense cost quotes to forms@gwaiitrust.com or fax to the Skidegate office at 250-559-8876 attention Debbie Crosby.
- Approved for this fiscal year (2009-2010) $50,000.00
- Open program available throughout the year
- Equity requirement 0%
- Maximum application $10,000.00
- Key test: Merit and Need
- Core funding: Not permitted
- Administrative costs 10% maximum (but not if the persons administrations of a project is a paid element of that persons employment within the organization applying)
- Facilitators' costs maximum $500.00 per day
- Letters of support (preferable 2-from unrelated parities)
- C0st quotes from all suppliers and other verifiable expenses.
- Letters confirming all other income sources.
- Meet at least on Constitutional Goal and Objective of the Gwaii Trust.
- Clear project process description of all aspects of the project from start to finish including final evaluation.
- Funded as 30% upon approval (1st request), balance through invoice matching approved advance, last 10% is held until confirmation of project completion and final evaluation documentation received.
- All advances will be funded upon the receipt of invoice, based on the percentage of the project funding approved.
- All projects approved with an equity component will be funded to the same degree as the equity approved.
- On all projects where funding is outstanding over one year, site visits will be accompanied by a shortened reapplication from the applicant that must be re approved by the Board in order to advance any further funding.
- Projects outstanding for longer than one year will have site visits and accompanying reports forwarded to the Board at least quarterly.
Please take time to fill out the project evaluation form and submit it with your final report click here this evaluation form must be completed and submitted with your letter of request for final payment along with photos and receipts. If you have any questions please call the managing administrator at the Old Massett office.
The Gwaii Trust Board of Directors will not consider any information or supporting documentation received after the allocation deadline in their review of this project.
All applications submitted become the property of the the Gwaii Trust, who may publish the said applications on their website www.gwaiitrut.com or may otherwise utilize their content as the Gwaii Trust sees fit.