Matawa
Post Secondary
The Matawa Post Secondary Program (MPS) provides financial and support services for eligible students from: Aroland, Ginoogaming, Long Lake #58, Neskantaga and Webequie First Nations. Funding decisions are determined by an Advisory Committee composed of one representative from each participating Matawa First Nation.
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Helping With The Next Step
The MPS team includes three dedicated staff members who work collaboratively to support students in achieving their educational and personal goals.
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Post-Secondary Coordinator
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Post-Secondary Student Support Worker (Students in year 2+)
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Post-Secondary Transition Coach (Grade 12 and First-Year Transition Support)
MPS staff provide a wide range of services to assist post-secondary students throughout their academic journey, these include:
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Assistance with applications to college, university, and sponsorship funding
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Connect students with internal support services such as Matawa Next Steps, Matawa Health Co-operative, and Band Representative Services
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Connect students with external support services in their school community such as Indigenous academic advisors, career counselling, health and wellness, tutoring, housing, etc.
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Update students on scholarship and bursary opportunities including the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), the Ginoogaming Timber Claim Trust Education Program, and the Wyloo Student Bursary
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Organize the annual MPS Transition to Life in Post-Secondary program for new students to plan their education pathway and explore career opportunities
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Track student progress throughout their post-secondary program
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Advocate for students as a liaison between, the MPS Advisory Committee, Matawa First Nation communities, post-secondary institutions, and referral agencies
DEADLINE DATES FOR APPLICATIONS
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May 15th |
Fall Term |
September to December |
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May 15th |
Fall & Winter Terms |
September to April |
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November 1st |
Winter Term |
January to April |
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March 31st |
Spring & Summer Terms |
May to August |
Post-Secondary education is a treaty right for all First Nations peoples in Canada. Each First Nations band is allocated an annual amount of funds from the federal government to support their students with the cost of post-secondary education. It is important to recognize, however, that while this is a treaty right, there are limits to the amounts of financial assistance that can be provided to post-secondary students. This is financial assistance; it is not intended to provide full coverage of a student’s expenses. It is important for students to start saving, apply for additional awards and bursaries, and have a financial plan to help offset the expenses incurred through post-secondary education over and above the limited financial assistance from MPS.
