黑料不打烊.CA / Office of Indigenous Initiatives

Indigenous Tuition Initiative

Beadwork done by Shannon Cross

Background

黑料不打烊 University is moving forward with one of its key reconciliation commitments outlined in the institution鈥檚 52 Calls to Action. Specifically Call # 13 calls on the university to:鈥���

鈥淚mplement a student funding model similar to the Haudenosaunee Promise at Syracuse University, which provides tuition and mandatory fee waivers for Indigenous learners from proximate territories.鈥濃���

Commencing in the Fall of the 2024/2025 academic year, 黑料不打烊 will be providing the equivalent of the cost of tuition and mandatory student fees to eligible students identified below. This initiative is an expression of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 desire to engage in relationship-building, partnership and collaboration with Indigenous communities. 鈥�

The Objectives of the Tuition Initiative:鈥��

  • Support Indigenous students鈥� educational choices鈥�

  • Remove financial barriers to education for students鈥�

  • Increase the number of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit graduates鈥�

  • Support Indigenous community strategy through offsetting tuition costs鈥��

  • To act upon 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, outlined in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 52 Calls to Action.

  • Measure Indigenous student success听to inform future policy decisions鈥�

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Advancement of this initiative is facilitated by 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Office of Indigenous Initiatives in partnership with Student Accounts and the respective academic units with community partnerships engaged in this initiative. Our intention is to implement this initiative in stages.听Later stages will work towards extending this initiative to other Indigenous students enrolled at 黑料不打烊.鈥�

Learn More About the Initiatives听

For Students听

Student Guidelines (EN)

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Student Guidelines (FR)

Who is eligible?

  1. Students who are registered members of the following communities are eligible to have their tuition and mandatory fees covered
  • 碍补丑苍补飞脿:办别
  • Kanehsatake (QC)
  • Ahkwesasne/St. Regis (QC, ON, USA)
  • Six Nations of the Grand River (ON)
  • Additional Note:
    • The Kanehsat脿:ke Mohawk Language Custodian Association and 碍补丑苍补飞脿:办别 have partnerships with 黑料不打烊. Students in these partnerships are still eligible through Category A.
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  1. First Nations, Inuit, and Metis students who are taking courses through a formal education partnership between the following groups and 黑料不打烊 University:
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  • Cree Nation of Mistissini (QC)
  • Cree Nation of Eastmain (QC)
  • Cree Nation Government (QC)
  • Cree Nation of Chisasibi (QC)
  • Cree Eeyou Resource and Research Institute (QC)
  • Ouje-Bougoumou Cree Nation (QC)
  • Makivvik (QC)
  • Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (QC)
  • Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (QC)
  • Cree School Board (QC)
  • Naskapi Education Committee (QC)
  • Listuguj Education Directorate (QC)
  • Micmacs of Gesgapegiag (QC)
  • Mamu Tshishkutamashutau Innu Education (NL)
  • Nunavik (QC)

If you are a student from one of these communities but are currently enrolled in a regular program at 黑料不打烊 outside of a formal partnership, Phase 1 of the tuition initiative does not apply to you at this time.

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What is covered?

Tuition charges and mandatory student fees for credit courses

Mandatory DFE (departmental) and AFE (academic) fees up to $200.00 (example of such fees are the nursing clinical skills kit)

Mandatory field trips, up to $300

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What is not covered?

  • Tuition and fees for non-credit courses
  • (Opt-outable) health and dental fees
  • Housing/rent or transportation costs
  • Living allowances and textbooks
  • uPrint charges (for printing). First Peoples鈥� House offers free printing to Indigenous students
  • Meal Plans
  • Fees for optional field trips
  • OneCard charges (food and dining service)
  • Fines, interest charges, and late registration fees
  • Based on 黑料不打烊 Senate Regulations, International students (St. Regis Mohawk Tribe) will still need to purchase health insurance through International Students Services through Blue Cross.
  • Any other fees that are non-mandatory opt-outable

If your program鈥檚 department fees exceed $200, you must get approval for coverage. All email requests can be sent to indigenoustuition [at] mcgill.ca.

Because of the funding structure for these programs, special approval for the tuition initiative is required if students wish to take:

  • Master of Public Policy (Faculty of Arts)
  • 黑料不打烊 HEC Montreal Executive MBA
  • MBA/Law Program
  • Master of Management and Analytics
  • Master in Management in Finance
  • Master of Management in Retailing
  • Master of Business Administration
  • International Masters for Health Leadership
  • International Master Program for Managers
  • Masters of Global Manufacturing. And Supply Chain Management
  • Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management
  • Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting
  • Joint Executive MBA
  • Any other existing or future self-funded program (except for those offered through partnerships listed in Category B)
  • Any non-credit activity within the School of Continuing Studies, the Executive Institute, or other 黑料不打烊 Faculties

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How Students Access this Opportunity

  1. Accept your offer of admission from 黑料不打烊.
  2. Apply for funding through your education center. 黑料不打烊鈥檚 tuition initiative does not cover books or living allowances.
  3. Your education center will determine your eligibility and provide 黑料不打烊 with your name on an exemption list if you qualify. You don鈥檛 have to apply directly to 黑料不打烊 for the tuition initiative.
  4. If you are federally recognized and do not receive funding from the community, you may apply directly to 黑料不打烊 at听
  5. From the list of identified partners with the School of Continuing Studies, Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, and School of Social Work, the respective education authorities/partners must confirm the eligibility of their students for this initiative, ensuring that they are First Nations, Metis, or Inuit members and are part of their partnership program.

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Financial Implications for Students

This initiative will be technically considered an award not based on merit or financial need, which means it will be taxable, and a T4A will be issued to the student. Students are advised to consult with a tax expert on their particular circumstances and inform their education authority if they cannot participate in this initiative.

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Deadlines

If the student in Category A is not on their community鈥檚 band list and is therefore applying through the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, they must fill out the application form by:

  • For Fall- July 7th
  • For Winter- November 7th
  • For Summer- March 7th

Assessment is based on documented affiliation with a community in Category A.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do eligible students apply for the tuition initiative?

Category A:听Students from one of the five identified communities in Category A will apply through their community鈥檚 education authority using the organization鈥檚 existing documentation, as they regularly do when they apply for post-secondary funding. Students are strongly encouraged to continue to apply for living allowances and books, as this initiative excludes those expenses. The education authority will confirm the student meets their existing membership/citizenship eligibility criteria for funding. The community will provide 黑料不打烊 with a list of students eligible for the initiative automatically. The student does not need to apply directly to 黑料不打烊.听听

Indigenous students who are not enrolled on their community鈥檚 registry, but who are federally recognized as members of the eligible communities must apply through the Office of Indigenous Initiatives using the听application form. Eligibility criteria from Indspire will be applied. Students not able to access funding for living allowances and books through their community must continue to apply for those through the听. 听
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Category B:听From the list of identified educational partnerships with the School of Continuing Studies, Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, and School of Social Work, the respective education authorities/partners must confirm the eligibility of their students for this initiative: that they are First Nations, Metis, or Inuit members and are part of their partnership program. The list of eligible students will be given to 黑料不打烊.

Why is 黑料不打烊 using Indspire鈥檚 criteria to determine eligibility of Indigenous persons for the tuition initiative?

黑料不打烊 does not currently have a student-focused Indigenous citizenship/membership policy in place (this work is in progress) but did not wish to delay this important financial initiative aimed at supporting Indigenous students. For this reason, 黑料不打烊 is adopting a partnership model, working with Indigenous communities and groups identified in Category A and Category B to identify eligibility. 听
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Until a student-focused Indigenous citizenship/membership policy is in place at 黑料不打烊, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives will apply Indspire鈥檚 criteria to determining eligibility for Category A communities, which the institution already uses to determine eligibility for the 黑料不打烊 Ok貌n:ra Undergraduate Award.听听

Indspire鈥檚 eligibility criteria for Indigenous persons includes:听Inuit Beneficiary, M茅tis Nation, Non-Status First Nation, Status First Nation.听

Status:听means a person who is registered as an Indian on the Registrar of the Federal Government鈥檚 Indian Register.听
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Indigenous:听means a person who is recognized as 鈥渙ne of the aboriginal peoples of Canada鈥� within the meaning of section 35 the Constitution Act, 1982, which further states that for the purposes of the Constitution, the 鈥渁boriginal peoples of Canada includes the Indian, Inuit, and M茅tis peoples of Canada鈥�. This policy (consistent with general Canadian practices) understands the term 鈥淚ndians鈥� in the Constitution to now be replaced by the term 鈥淔irst Nations鈥�.听

Non-Status:听means a person who identifies as an Indian or First Nations and is not registered on the Government of Canada鈥檚 Indian Register but who: 1) is a direct descendant of a parent or grandparent who is/was a Registered Indian on the Government of Canada鈥檚 Indian Register and holds/held a valid Status Card; 2) is on a Band membership list where the Band has control of its membership list; or 3) is on the enrolment, citizenship, registry or membership list of an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement.听

First Nations:听means a person who self-identifies as an Indian or as First Nations, whether Status or Non-Status. Applicants are required to provide proof of First Nation identity by providing a valid Certificate of Indian Status (a 鈥淪tatus Card鈥�) or a citizenship, membership, registration or enrolment card issued by: 1) the Registrar of the Federal Government鈥檚 Indian Register; 2) a Band within the meaning of the Indian Act that has control of its membership list; or 3) by an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement.听

Inuit:听means a person who self-identifies as Inuit. Applicants are required to provide proof of Inuit identity by providing a valid Inuit identity card issued by: 1) an Inuit organization that is recognized by the Government of Canada, 2) an Inuit organization that is recognized by the Government of Nunavut; or 3) an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement.听

惭茅迟颈蝉:听means a person who self-identifies as M茅tis. Applicants are required to provide proof of M茅tis identity by providing a valid M茅tis citizenship, membership, registration or enrolment card issued by: 1) one of the M茅tis Settlements in Alberta, 2) a provincial organization that is a member of the M茅tis National Council, which includes the M茅tis Nation British Columbia, the M茅tis Nation of Alberta, the M茅tis Nation Saskatchewan, the Manitoba M茅tis Federation and the M茅tis Nation of Ontario; 3) an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement; or 4) a M茅tis organization that is recognized by the Government of Canada.

What is the process for validating student eligibility?

Category A.听Community education centers will review an applicant鈥檚 eligibility based on the community鈥檚 internal citizenship/membership eligibility for post-secondary funding. Once reviewed and approved, education authorities will send the "Tuition Initiative List" to the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at 黑料不打烊. The Office of Indigenous Initiatives will work with Student Accounts to process the "Tuition Initiative List". 听
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Indigenous students who are not enrolled on their community鈥檚 registry, but who are federally recognized as members of the eligible communities must apply through the Office of Indigenous Initiatives using the听application form.听

Category B.听Student eligibility, based on these guidelines and the community criteria, is verified by the partnership community/group. The student must be a First Nations, Metis, Inuit person and taking courses through a partnership program.鈥淭uition Initiative Lists鈥漺ill be provided to the Office of Indigenous Initiatives directly or through the liaison in School of Continuing Studies, Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, or Social Work.听听

I am a member of one of the Category B communities, but am not in a program offered through a partnership with the School of Continuing Studies (SCS), Office of First Nations and Inuit Education (OFNIE) or School of Social Work (SW). Am I eligible for the tuition initiative?

No. At this time, Phase 1 of this initiative does not include all citizens of the Nation/community initiating the partnership. It only includes members who are taking course offerings through partnerships with School of Continuing Studies, Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, or Social Work.

Will my application for this coverage impact my ability to receive other 黑料不打烊 scholarships, fellowships, aid, or awards?

No, this application is independent of students being considered for other 黑料不打烊 financial aid and awards (whether based on academic merit or financial need). For more information about the other funding opportunities dedicated to Indigenous students:听/studentaid/special-funding/indigenous-student-funding)

Will I be eligible for the 黑料不打烊 Ok貌n:ra Undergraduate Award, and other opportunities, if I receive the tuition and fee initiative?

Yes. This initiative does not take away other opportunities for scholarships, bursaries, awards, or incentives offered through the Scholarships and Student Aid Office. The Ok貌n:ra $5,000 Award is allocated annually to every Indigenous student in any undergraduate degree program, including on-campus Bachelors, Law (BCL&JD), Medicine (MDCM), and Dentistry (DMD), with a complete application and confirmed Indigenous affiliation. Students must carry a full-time course load, unless approved by the 黑料不打烊.)

Will my application for this waiver impact my ability to receive other 黑料不打烊 scholarships, fellowships, aid or awards?

No, this application is independent of students being considered for other 黑料不打烊 financial aid and awards (whether based on academic merit or financial need). For more information about the other funding opportunities dedicated to Indigenous students: /studentaid/special-funding/indigenous-student-funding.

Will I be taxed if I receive benefits from this initiative?

Students who benefit from this initiative will receive a T4A and a RL1 slip for the amount of the payment to their fee account. Students are advised to consult with a tax specialist about the tax implications of the payment. We are not able to give tax advice to individuals. If you are unable to benefit from this due to your tax circumstances, inform your education authority.

What happens if my student account shows an outstanding balance, but I鈥檓 supposed to be eligible for the tuition initiative?

Review your Account Summary by Term in Minerva. Look down the right-hand 鈥楤alance鈥� column to see on which charges the balance is resting. If you have a balance on charges that should be covered by the tuition initiative reach out to the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. The OII office will review your eligibility and ask Student Accounts to add you to the 鈥渢uition Initiative List鈥� if appropriate. If the balance is resting on charges not covered by the 鈥淭uition Initiative List鈥� then you (the student) are responsible for clearing your balance by the due date on your most recent e-bill. You can find the accepted payment methods on the Student Accounts website.

I have a hold on my account and cannot register for classes because my account shows an outstanding balance, but I'm supposed to be exempt. What should I do?

Look at your Advising Transcript in Minerva. If you have anything other than an 鈥楢R鈥� hold (Fees owing >= $100), look at the Help text to find out the reason for the hold, and how to clear it. If you have an 鈥楢R鈥� hold, review your Account Summary by Term in Minerva. Look down the right-hand 鈥楤alance鈥� column to see on which charges the balance is resting. If you have a balance on charges that should be covered by the 鈥淭uition Initiative List鈥� reach out to the OII office. The OII office will review your eligibility and ask Student Accounts to add you to the 鈥淭uition Initiative List鈥� if appropriate. If this clears your balance the hold will lift. If the balance is resting on charges not covered by the 鈥淭uition Initiative List鈥� then you (the student) are responsible for clearing your balance by the due date on your most recent e-bill. You can find the accepted payment methods on the Student Accounts website. Once the payment is received, the hold on your account will lift. If you are unsure about what is covered or not covered under the 鈥楾uition Initiative List鈥� please refer to the first and second questions in this FAQ list.

What if a student fails a course, or multiple courses? Will they have to pay back the tuition?

Students are responsible for remaining in satisfactory academic standing (CGPA of 2.00 or greater). 黑料不打烊 has a number of resources to support students, including subsidized tutoring through First Peoples鈥� House and academic advising within their faculty. If a student fails a course or two, they will not be required to pay back the tuition and fees.

What if a student falls into academic difficulty?

If there are extenuating circumstances which cause a student to fall into academic difficulty or they are no longer attending class, students are encouraged to consult with their education body or sponsor. In addition to that, students must comply with department and faculty requirements to remain in good standing. Education centers within the student鈥檚 community provide academic counselling and have their own performance criteria which students must adhere to. Students are encouraged to work with their education body to develop a plan that will ensure their academic success, and/or determine when it is necessary, for whatever reason, to pause their studies.

Will students need to give the Office of Indigenous Initiatives their transcripts?

Students are responsible for reporting their grades to the relevant educational authority in their community, as per education authority funding policies. The Office of Indigenous Initiatives will not ask students for copies of their transcripts. 黑料不打烊 will only confirm with the education authority that the student has been covered by the tuition initiative.

How long will 黑料不打烊 cover my tuition and fees?

Students in Category A are covered until the completion of their course/program/degree. Students are permitted to re-apply for subsequent degrees. Students in programs delivered through specified partnership agreements through the Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, School of Continuing Studies, and School of Social Work (Category B) are eligible for this initiative up to the completion of the degree, certificate, or diploma offered as part of the partnership. Partnership agreements are renewable.

If a student eligible through Category A completes a course/certificate/degree under this initiative, can they apply again?

Yes. A student in Category A will be eligible for this initiative following the completion of their course, certificate/diploma, degree, or program; however, they will be required to apply again.

What documents will be needed if I am applying directly to the Office of Indigenous Initiatives because I鈥檓 from one of the five identified communities but not on my band鈥檚 list?

The application form on the OII website and one of the following:

  • A copy of an Indian status card
  • A Haudenosaunee Passport
  • A certified copy of an enrolment card or written confirmation of membership/enrollment from a US or Canadian federally recognized band/tribal authority.
  • Other documents to support the criteria for eligibility will be accepted and reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All documentation provided will be reviewed by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.

Will I lose coverage through this initiative if I drop one of my courses?

The tuition initiative will cover the total tuition cost for an approved program of study. The tuition initiative coverage will be applied to your student account after the last day to add or drop a course for the term.

For Community Education Boards & Authorities

Summary Guidelines (EN)

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Summary Guidelines (FR)

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Full Guidelines

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Overview

The 黑料不打烊 Indigenous Tuition Initiative is available to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis students from the following groups:

Category A (Communities)

First Nations students who are citizens/members of: 碍补丑苍补飞脿:办别, Kanehsatake (QC), Akwesasne/St. Regis (QC, ON, USA), Six Nations of the Grand River (ON)

Category B (Partnerships)

First Nations, Inuit, and Metis students who are taking courses as part of a program developed through an educational partnership agreement between 黑料不打烊 and the School of Continuing Studies, the Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, and the School of Social Work including:

  • Cree Nation of Mistissini (QC)
  • Cree Nation of Eastmain (QC)
  • Cree Nation Government (QC)
  • Cree Nation of Chisasibi (QC)
  • Cree Eeyou Resource and Research Institute (QC)
  • Ouje-Bougoumou Cree Nation (QC)
  • Makivvik (QC)
  • Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (QC)
  • Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (QC)
  • Cree School Board (QC)
  • Naskapi Education Committee (QC)
  • Listuguj Education Directorate (QC)
  • Micmacs of Gesgapegiag (QC)
  • Mamu Tshishkutamashutau Innu Education (NL)
  • Nunavik (QC)
  • Kanehsat脿:ke Mohawk Language Custodian Association (partnerships)
  • Kahnawake (partnerships)

Eligibility

  • Must be First Nations, Inuit, Metis
  • Must have documentation (either a status card, or for non-status students, they must provide the status card of a parent, along with documentation identifying their connection to the parent). will apply for documentation.
  • Education centers/authorities must attest to their student鈥檚 eligibility/verify their documentation.
  • Students can be enrolled in full-time or part-time students
  • Must be enrolled in credit courses (non-credit courses are not eligible)

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What is covered?

  • Tuition charges and mandatory student fees for credit courses
  • Course/program specific fees up to a maximum of $200.00/term (example of such fees is the nursing clinical skills kit)
  • Other charges for core fees associated with a program will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Requests for amounts above $200 can be sent to indigenoustuition [at] mcgill.ca ()

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What is not covered?

  • Tuition and mandatory fees for non-credit courses
  • (Opt-outable) health and dental fees
  • Housing/rent or transportation costs
  • Living allowances and textbooks
  • uPrint charges (for printing). First Peoples鈥� House offers free printing to Indigenous students
  • Meal Plans
  • Fees for optional field trips
  • OneCard charges (food and dining service)
  • Fines and late registration fees
  • Interest charges
  • Any other non-mandatory fees that are opt-outable

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Because of the funding structure for these programs, special approval for the tuition initiative is required if students wish to take:

  • Master of Public Policy (Faculty of Arts)
  • 黑料不打烊 HEC Montreal Executive MBA
  • MBA/Law Program
  • Master of Management and Analytics
  • Master in Management in Finance
  • Master of Management in Retailing
  • Master of Business Administration
  • International Masters for Health Leadership
  • International Master Program for Managers
  • Masters of Global Manufacturing. And Supply Chain Management
  • Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management
  • Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting
  • Joint Executive MBA
  • Any other existing or future self-funded program (except for those offered through partnerships listed in Category B)
  • Any non-credit activity within the School of Continuing Studies, the Executive Institute, or other 黑料不打烊 Faculties

Email requests can be sent to indigenoustuition [at] mcgill.ca ()

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How Students Receive the Exemption

  • Education centers/authorities must send an exemption letter identifying their eligible students directly to indigenoustuition [at] mcgill.ca and indicate the following:
  1. Confirmation that students are First Nations, Inuit, Metis and are citizens/members of their community
  2. Student names and ID numbers
  3. For fees that are not covered by the tuition initiative, to whom the charges should be sent (either to the student or the education center/sponsor)
  4. A statement acknowledging that the education authority agrees that they will not receive an invoice for their list of students
  5. For partnership programs, the start and expiration date of the program.
  6. 碍补丑苍补飞脿:办别, Kanehsatake, Akwesasne, and Six Nations of the Grand River do not need to indicate expiration dates for the students. Information will be renewed with each subsequent letter.
  7. A contact person associated with the education center/authority

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Notes

  • First Nations, Metis, Inuit students in partnerships are eligible for this initiative up to the completion of their degree, certificate, or diploma offered as part of the partnership. Partnerships are renewable.
  • If you have a student in your partnership cohort who is First Nations, Metis, or Inuit, but is not on your community registry, they may be included if the partner/education authority verifies their documentation and attests to their eligibility.
  • For students who are federally recognized as part of 碍补丑苍补飞脿:办别, Kanehsatake, Akwesasne, and Six Nations of the Grand River, but who are not enrolled on the community registry, they must apply here.

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Deadlines for Letters

For Fall: July 24
For Winter: November 24
For Summer: March 24

*We recognize that the timing may not align with the academic calendar for partnership programs. We request that the list be sent to indigenoustuition [at] mcgill.ca as soon as possible before the start of the program.

  • Exemption lists are valid for the period indicated on the exemption letter (the start and end date of the program). Education centers do not need to send a duplicate list every semester unless there are changes to the exemption list.
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  • If there is a minor change to the list (a student added or dropped) during the semester, an email from the community partner/education center will suffice if it contains the same information as a letter.
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  • NEW LISTS are only required when the period expires, or if there are significant changes made to the exemption list (program date change, multiple students being added or dropped.

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  • Communities may also choose not to participate in this initiative and prefer to sponsor (pay for) their students鈥� tuition and fees. In this case, the education authority would continue to send their sponsorship letters to sponsorshipadmin.finserv [at] mcgill.ca (.)
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  • Communities/Partnerships also have the option to participate in the exemption for only some of their students, and can, therefore, send both a sponsorship letter (you will receive an invoice) and an exemption letter (you will not receive an invoice).
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  • First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students who are not registered with your community but
    are part of your cohort of students are eligible with confirmation their documentation has been verified.
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      • Example scenario: Your community is partnering with 黑料不打烊 to run an in-community program that consists primarily of members who are registered with your community. There are other students in that cohort who are First Nations, Metis, or Inuit, but are not eligible for funding through your education center or their education center because they live away from their reserve.
        • Because they are part of your program, you can verify their eligibility and documentation and include them under this tuition exemption.

Reminder

Sponsorship letters should go to sponsorshipadmin.finserv [at] mcgill.ca

Exemption letters should go to indigenoustuition [at] mcgill.ca
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Financial Implications for Students

This initiative will be technically considered an award not based on merit or financial need, which means it will be taxable, and a T4A will be issued to the student. Students are advised to consult with a tax expert on their particular circumstances and inform their education authority if they cannot participate in this initiative.

听

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