FAQs - For Students

Last Updated (Friday, 30 January 2009 16:35) Monday, 05 January 2009 06:47

Q. Which students are eligible to apply for Edmonton Community Foundation awards?

A. The Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards are open to Métis students from across the province. Most other awards are open to students from Edmonton and area. Please check the specific application packages for details on each award.

Q. Generally, what award dollar amounts are given out?

A. Awards generally range from $1,500 to $9,000 depending on the award. Awards are, in general, intended to be used toward tuition. Please check details of the specific award you’re interested in for further information.

Q. What school and programs are eligible?

A. Most awards can be used at any public university, college or technical institute in Alberta. Generally, graduate programs are not eligible. Academic upgrading may be eligible. The Winspear Fund Scholarships operate differently from most awards; for these scholarships, graduate study is eligible and study can take place anywhere outside the local Edmonton area.

Q. Can Edmonton Community Foundation staff help in completing the application?

A. Foundation staff will certainly offer advice but the student is responsible for completing the required forms.

Q. What criteria does Foundation staff use in determining the award recipients?

A. Most of the Foundation’s awards are based on financial need and community involvement – not on academic performance. The Winspear Fund Scholarships are the exceptions. They are based on musical performance. Please check the specific application packages for detailed criteria for each award.

Q. If I receive an award, how will it be paid?

A. Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) will notify your school about the sponsorship and the school will invoice ECF directly. In general, no payments will be issued before you start class. It is your responsibility to meet all fee payment deadlines, but in general, schools will waive deadlines for sponsorships. If you know of a deadline which will not be waived, notify us and we’ll try to meet it.

Q. What about the tuition deposit I’ve already paid?

A. If your award will cover full tuition, we will have ask your school to invoice ECF for the full amount of your tuition and to refund the deposit to you. If they don’t, let us know, and we’ll find another solution.

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Q. What about buying books?

A. If you are awarded book and supply costs, your school will be notified about the sponsorship. Each bookstore should give you the supplies and invoice us for the cost. In general, sponsorships run through your entire year, so you can buy books at the beginning of each semester. In some cases, when certain supplies are not available through the bookstore, you may be asked to purchase the item(s), submit receipts and be reimbursed. However, this is the exception, and should be discussed with ECF prior to purchase.

Q. What about my award for transportation and/or childcare?

A. If you are awarded these costs, that money will come directly to you. It will not be released until after we receive confirmation from your school that you have started classes. Larger awards for these costs may be split into payments throughout the year, again subject to confirmation of continuing attendance.

Q. I’d like to take an extra course, but my sponsorship won’t cover it. Can I get help?

A. In some cases, actual award amounts are based on the official cost assessments you provided. If there are changes to those costs, let us know and we’ll see if we can increase your award. Most commonly, this will occur if you wish to take extra courses in the spring or summer sessions or if your book costs exceed the preliminary estimates.

Q. Can I get help with my outstanding balance with my school from last year?

A. No. Your sponsorship is for the current year, and all charges must be for the current year. ECF will also not pay any application, late, registration, or re-registration fees. It is your responsibility to ensure all deadlines are met.

Q. Can award monies be deferred for a year?

A. Under certain circumstances, yes. Please contact Foundation staff for more information.

Q. Will I be issued a T4A?

A. In general, ECF will issue you a T4A for tax purposes. It is important you advise us of any change of address so we can send these to you. Remember that you may receive a T4A both this year and next, depending on when payments are made.

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