Aboriginal students who experience a short-term financial crisis will now have access to emergency financial relief while they are attending school.
The $2-million Aboriginal Emergency Assistance fund is part of government's renewed commitment to improve post-secondary opportunities and outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples through the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Policy Framework and Action Plan.
The emergency fund was created when results from the University of Victoria's LE,NONET research project showed that having access to emergency funds can help Aboriginal students stay in school and complete their studies.
"The Aboriginal Emergency Assistance program is having a profound effect on Aboriginal students at Camosun College” said Janice Simcoe, chair, Aboriginal Education & Community Connections at Camosun College. This program has enabled us to provide small, but crucial, supports as well as major assistance, such as enabling students to keep roofs over their heads despite family emergencies. So far, we have assisted over 20 students in need. For most of them, this program has been the difference between staying in school and leaving."
"We are working to ensure Aboriginal people in B.C. get the post-secondary education and training they need to get good jobs, support their families, and meet B.C.'s labour requirements. By supporting their needs while they are in school-including providing access to emergency funds while they are attending post-secondary-we are supporting Aboriginal learners to succeed as students, as well as down the road."
