If you are Métis and attending NorQuest College,
you may be eligible for a Métis Education
Foundation Métis Student Award. These awards
vary from $1,500 to $3,000 and are payable in two
equal instalments.

Criteria

• Must be enrolled full-time (taking a minimum of 60 per cent of a program
  load) in any certificate, diploma, or university transition program offered
  at NorQuest College;
  
• Must provide proof of Métis heritage; *
  
• Must demonstrate financial need;
  
• Must be a Canadian citizen;
  
• To qualify for the second disbursement of the award students must provide
  a statement of marks from their first term of study and have a minimum
  mark of 65 per cent in their current program at NorQuest College;
  
• Must include a letter of recommendation from an instructor evaluating
  the student’s academic abilities, dedication and commitment to studies,
  including class participation and attendance;
  
• Students must submit a letter to the Selection Committee outlining their
  career goals and objectives;
  
• Must not be receiving an MNA Labour Market Development
  sponsorship; and
  
• Must not be a registered or treaty Indian.
  

* Must provide at least one of the following:

1. Photocopy of MNA membership card, or a membership card in any one of the following Métis organizations: Métis Settlements of Alberta, Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, Métis Nation British Columbia
2. Proof of Métis genealogy
   
3. Photocopy of parent(s)/grandparent(s), aunts/uncles or siblings membership card in any of the above-named Métis organization.

For more information contact:

The NorQuest College Scholarship and Awards Office at 780-644-6130 or visit www.albertametis.com.

Application forms are also available online at NorQuest College and any Métis Nation of Alberta Office or Métis Employment Services Centre.

Metis Student Award

On August 12, 2008 the Métis Nation of Alberta Métis Education Foundation a donation of $375,000 toward the creation of the Métis Student Awards endowment fund at NorQuest College. The gift will also generate an additional $375,000 in matching funds from the Alberta Government Access to the Future Fund bringing the total value of the Métis Student Awards endowment to $750,000.

Starting in September of 2008, the Métis Student Awards will provide financial assistance to Métis students attending NorQuest College, eligible for undergraduate bursaries and awards ranging from $1,500 to $3,000. Priority will be given to students enrolled in NorQuest’s University Transition Program. The partnership will also develop an Essential Skills Initiative for Métis clients as part of the MNA’s labour market development program.

“The partnership with the Métis Nation of Alberta will make it easier for Métis students to access our various skills training and career programs,” said NorQuest College President and CEO Dr. Wayne Shillington. “The endowment fund will help to ensure Métis students take those important steps toward achieving their educational and career goals.”

 “This endowment fund opens opportunities to education for Métis people,” said Métis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras. “It is important for students to complete their programs with as little debt as possible and the Métis Student Awards will help achieve this. I want to thank NorQuest College for partnering with the MNA.”

Sixteen per cent of the student population at NorQuest College is Aboriginal, nearly one quarter of which are Métis.

NorQuest College serves around 10,000 students each year through full-time, part-time and regional programs in communities across Alberta. In addition to health care, allied health, human services, business and industry career programs, NorQuest offers expertise in adult literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), intercultural education, Aboriginal education, academic upgrading, and learner supports for students with disabilities. For more information, visit www.norquest.ca.

The Métis Nation of Alberta Métis Education Foundation was created to encourage and assist Métis students in financial need to achieve their highest academic potential. The Métis Education Foundation’s NorQuest College endowment is the second partnership for the Métis Nation of Alberta. The Métis Nation of Alberta is a non-profit organization that exists to advocate on behalf of, and the meet the needs and aspirations of Métis people in Alberta. For more information on the awards or how to apply, visit Metis Nation of Alberta Website (www.albertametis.ca).