Post-Secondary
The Walpole Island First Nation Post-Secondary Department is committed to empowering community members by providing access to higher education opportunities and essential support services. It offers financial assistance for tuition, textbooks, and living expenses. The department fosters both academic and personal growth by promoting leadership, cultural pride, and community development. By ensuring that students have the resources they need to succeed in their post-secondary journeys, the department helps to build a strong future for Walpole Island First Nation Membership seeking Higher Learning education.
UPDATE: The WIFN Education Department is very pleased to welcome Kristin Kewaquom as the new Post-Secondary Education Coordinator. Kristin brings a strong background in Indigenous education, program management, and student support services. As a member of Bkejwanong, Kristin is especially passionate about contributing to her community and supporting students as they pursue their post-secondary goals.
Kristin is looking forward to supporting students through their post-secondary journeys. She can be reached through email at postsecondary.general@wifn.org and by phone at (519)627-0708 x 3231.
Post Secondary Application
If you would like to apply for post secondary education funding, please fill out the Application linked below.
Application deadline:
Fall/Winter
May 31 (For courses that begin in September OR January)
Spring/Summer
April 1 (For courses that begin in the May OR July)
Application Instructions
New Students:
● Complete the online application (link above). You create your account in the portal, using your current email address.
● After you have completed your online application, submit the following documents by email to postsecondary.general@wifn.org:
○ Acceptance letter from college or university
○ Most recent transcript
○ Copy of band card (front and back)
○ Your banking “direct deposit form”
○ Acceptance for residence (if applying for residence)
Continuing Students:
● Complete the online application (link above). You must apply every year, as approvals are only for one year at a time..
● After you have completed your online application, submit the following documents by email to postsecondary.general@wifn.org:
○ Official marks from most recent term
○ Acceptance for residence (if applying for residence)
○ Direct deposit form (only if banking information has changed)
Important Information for All Applicants:
● All applications for Fall and Winter Terms will be reviewed in June.
● Decisions will be made using a priority ranking as per the current Post-Secondary Policy. Note that students applying out of high school and students continuing in their current post-secondary program will have the highest priority. Students living on Walpole Island (or in the immediate vicinity) will have higher ranking than those in other parts of Canada or those living outside of Canada.
● Students will be notified in late June or early July if they have been approved for sponsorship. Please note that there is no guarantee that students will be approved just because they apply. There is limited funding available, so students with a lower priority ranking may not be sponsored.
● All students should also apply for any scholarships/bursaries available through their high school, post-secondary institution, Indspire (https://indspire.ca/programs/students/bursaries-scholarships/), and OSAP.
● If approved, you may be asked for your employment status, as students working full time will not receive full time living allowances.
● Fully online programs may be funded differently than in-person programs.
● Students who have dropped out of programs in previous years will not likely qualify for further funding.
Contact
Email: postsecondary.general@wifn.org
WIFN Post-Secondary Education Program
521 Tecumseh Rd.,
Walpole Island, ON, N8A 4K9
Phone: (519) 627-0708