SUFA Initiative (2002)

Post-Secondary Education (PSE) Program

General Information
Department	Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Partners	First Nations and Inuit communities and/or regional representative organizations, and several post-secondary institutions.
Effective Date	Introduced in 1977 as the Post-Secondary Education Assistance Program and revised in 1989 as the Post-Secondary Education Program.
Expiry Date	N/A - Program is ongoing
Web Site	http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/edu/ense_e.html
Purpose	To increase access to and enrolment in post-secondary studies for status Indian and Inuit students and thereby increasing employment and economic self-reliance and contributing to the achievement of self-government. Includes: Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP): Financial support to eligible students to pursue university and college studies. University and College Entrance Program (UCEP): One year financial support to eligible students to ensure readiness in meeting entrance requirements to pursue college or university studies. Indian Studies Support Program (ISSP): Financial support to post-secondary institutions to develop and deliver college and university level studies for Indian and Inuit students. Financial support to the development and delivery of programs to First Nation students attending the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College.
Roles and Contributions	Funded entirely by the Government of Canada and administered almost entirely by First Nation and Inuit communities or their regional representative organizations (e.g., Tribal Councils). The department does not track public understanding and recognition.

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Resources
Funding	$298 million in 2002-2003 (Estimates) $292 million (2001-2002 Report on Plans and Priorities) $284 million (2000-2001 Departmental Performance Reports) $280 million (1999-2000 Departmental Performance Reports)
Tracking and Reporting	Publically available reports on the following departmental web sites http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/pub/index_e.html. Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Labour Market Outcomes Canada, 1996. First Nations National Reporting Guide http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/est/index_e.html. Expenditures are reported in the Main Estimates. Report on Plans and Priorities. Departmental Performance Report http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/sts/index_e.html. Basic Departmental Data. Overview of INAC Program Data - Education. Periodic reports such as "Socio-Economic Indicators in Indian Reserves and Comparable Communities: 1971-1991". Register of Post-Secondary Students and Register of Post-Secondary / Graduates / Funded Students. Tracing of the retention / progress of INAC funded students is being developed to better determine outcomes.

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Measurement and Reporting
Outcomes	Increased post-secondary educational attainment of eligible First Nation students, with associated gains in employment and income. In accordance with Treasury Board policy, LEHD is developing a Results-Based Management Accountability Framework (RMAF) as a foundation for future monitoring and measurement.
Indicators	Annual number of graduates funded through the program, labour force activity of graduates, and earnings associated with post-secondary attainment.
Comparable Indicators	INAC continues to follow the CMEC Pan-Canadian Education Indicators Program model as closely as possible to achieve comparable reporting. Census-based analysis allows for comparison to the non-Aboriginal population from 1986 to 1996. Monitoring and analysis of trends in (i) number of graduates recorded in the PSE data base, and (ii) key census variables-educational attainment, labour force activity, income.
Evaluation / Thrid Party Assessments	First Nation communities and organizations undertake periodic program evaluations or reviews and provide information. Some information is collected through the Census of Canada and post-census surveys, which involve Statistics Canada and a consortium of governments and Aboriginal organizations. The Departmental Audit and Evaluation Branch of INAC is currently conducting an Evaluation of the PSE program. The Assembly of First Nations 2001 Report on PSE served as a resource document. INAC’s published report will be available by Fall 2003.
Shared Information and Best Practices	Shared information and best practices are not currently shared.
Public Reporting	Departmental Performance Report and other departmental publications: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/sts/index_e.html. Basic Departmental Data. Highlights of Aboriginal Conditions. Facts from Stats. Overview of INAC Program Data - Education. Comparison of Social Conditions: 1991 and 1996 http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/pub/iprt/index_e.html. Departmental Kiosk http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/lib/index_e.html. Library Services.

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Involving Canadians
Provisions for Citizens to Participate in Developing Social Priorities and Reviewing Outcomes	Headquarter’s Learning, Employment and Human Development (LEHD) Directorate works closely with the AFN; INAC regions work closely with regional First Nation and Inuit organizations. An Advisory Committee consisting of representatives from the AFN, the National Association of Indigenous Institutes of Higher Learning (NAIIHL), the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA) and post-secondary specialists from First Nation communities across the country is providing technical advice and guidance to DAEB and LEHD during the planning and implementation phases of the PSE Evaluation.
Feedback Mechanisms to the Public	Some anecdotal / qualitative reporting in the Departmental Performance Report.

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Service Commitments
Public Availability of Eligibility Criteria	No specific service commitments. http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/edu/ense_e.html. INAC provides funding to First Nations or their education authority organizations who administer the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) for status First Nation members residing on reserve and off reserve. Under the government guidelines, administering organizations have the flexibility to determine their own funding and selection criteria to meet local community priorities. Applicants must contact their First Nation council office or administering organization for information on eligibility and application procedures.
Existence and Availability of Service Commitments	Ensure funding availability to support First Nations and Inuit students and institutions.
Measurement and Public Reporting	In accordance with Treasury Board policy, LEHD is developing a Results-based Management Accountability Framework (RMAF) as a foundation for future reporting.

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Appeals and Complaints
Existence, Availability and Communication of Mechanisms	First Nations must comply with the First Nation National Reporting requirements and terms and conditions of their funding agreements. First Nation / Inuit administering organizations must make guidelines / policies available to members. Administrative decisions are subject to appeal through an established process, established by administering organizations, to ensure equitable management of the program.
Tracking and Public Reporting	Some INAC regions have staff designated to receive and respond to appeals / allegations. There is no national registry of appeals / complaints. There are no national guidelines for outreach to community members; that is left principally to the band councils. When individuals contact the department directly, program officers in Headquarters/regions will explain the generally applied practice and refer them to their band council / administering organization.

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Mobility

Existence of Measure

The program design, reflecting INAC-based program delivery has been adapted to devolved First Nation delivery. The program itself does not have systemic barriers to mobility. S.9 of policy directives allows First Nations to develop community-based guidelines, within the program framework, for the administration of this program. There may be instances where priority is given to applicants residing in the local community or there is weighing based on the location of PSE institutions. The following actions are envisioned: Compliance issues will continue to be addressed on a case-by-case basis with the First Nation administering organization. Requests for ministerial or departmental intervention will be referred to the First Nation administering authority for review under the appeal processes that are required in the program guidelines.