Post-Secondary Education Funding

Rupertsland Institute (RLI) provides post-secondary financial aid to Métis students to reduce the overall cost of education and the financial burden it can have. Rupertsland Institute seeks to increase the number of Métis students who successfully complete post-secondary studies and to bring parity between Métis post-secondary participation to that of other Albertans.

The Rupertsland Institute Post-Secondary Education (PSE) program is made possible by a funding agreement between the Government of Canada and the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA).

Post-Secondary Education funding will be available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Program Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements; Rupertsland Institute will verify all information provided:

1. Must be a member of the Rupertsland Métis Students Association.
2. Must show proof of Métis citizenship by submitting a current Métis Nation of Alberta citizenship card.
3. Proof of Alberta residency.
4. Must be enrolled in a recognized post-secondary program in Alberta or elsewhere in Canada.
5. Must work with an Rupertsland Institute Student Advisor and commit to a Student Action Plan.
6. Must sign a disclosure citing all sources of funding that the student is receiving or applying to receive including any financial support from another Métis National Council member (Métis Nation British Columbia, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, and Métis Nation of Ontario), the Manitoba Métis Federation, or Alberta Métis Settlements.

Please be aware of the following when applying for funding with Rupertsland Institute’s Post-Secondary Education Program:

• Students attending full-time will be prioritized before part-time students
• The Post-Secondary Education program does not fund open studies, upgrading, or preparation courses
• Returning students must reapply for each new school year and supply new supporting documentation including recent official transcripts, a confirmation of enrolment and a course schedule
• The application site opened on May 15th, 2024 however it may close without notice due to high volumes of applicants
• Funding is limited and is not guaranteed
• All applications for Post Secondary Education funding must be submitted online at: https://rlioas.ca
• All funding paid to students or on behalf of a student is taxable income.
• Students will receive a T4A for all funding paid to and on their behalf within the calendar year in which they have received funds.

Training funding for clients are approved on a case-by-case basis based on actual expenses, clients are eligible for:

• Up to $9,000 in tuition and fees for year 1 of full-time study
• Up to $10,000 in tuition and fees for year 2 of full-time study
• Up to $11,000 in tuition and fees for year 3 of full-time study
• Up to $15,000 in tuition and fees for year 4 of full-time study with a hold-back of $1,000 until receipt of documentation to demonstrate successful completion of the program of study
• Up to $12,000 total for any programs of study above a bachelor’s degree with a holdback of $1,000 until receipt of documentation to demonstrate successful completion of the program of study
• Up to $750 per course to a maximum of 30 credits for part-time studies in degree programs
• Childcare support on a case-by-case basis for student enrolled in three (3) or more courses per semester to a maximum of three (3) dependents ages twelve (12) and under of $15 per training day up to $75 per week, per child