Education Savings Incentives Pan-Canadian Community Outreach - Frequently Asked Questions

 

---

What is the Education Savings Incentives Pan-Canadian Community Outreach?

The Education Savings Incentives Pan-Canadian Community Outreach will support community organizations in the development and delivery of outreach activities among lower and middle income individuals and families.  These activities will inform and help eligible individuals and families access the benefits available to their children, such as the enhanced Canada Education Savings Grant and the Canada Learning Bond. HRSDC will also be working with the Government of Alberta, where appropriate, to provide information and assistance to those eligible for the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan.

How long does it take for funding applications to be processed and reviewed?

It may take up to 6 months for a proposal to be processed and reviewed following the closing of the call for proposals.

How are proposals assessed?

Proposals are assessed based on their relevance to the Education Savings Incentives Pan-Canadian Community Outreach objectives. The complete selection criteria and a description of the review process are provided in the guidelines.

Will there be other, future opportunities for funding?

Please visit the Web site regularly for updates.

What conditions are attached to this funding?

Funding is provided to organizations through contribution agreements, which are contracts that spell out the mutual obligations of the parties.  Funding is not provided as a grant.  Funding recipients are required to provide HRSDC with financial and activity reports at specified intervals.

What is evaluation?

Evaluation is a project management tool that identifies the impact and outcomes of the project in order to learn from it and to improve upon it.  It is a tool for project success. It offers an objective analysis of the progress of a project and ensures an optimal relationship between the goals to be achieved and the resources (human, technical and financial) that are used.

How are projects to be evaluated?

HRSDC-funded projects must be evaluated by a third party individual or organization that is not associated with the project or the project staff.  It is estimated that this can cost up to 10% of the total project cost.  Applicants should include the expenses associated with evaluation in their budget.

What is the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan?

The Government of Alberta has marked the province's centennial by making an investment in its future. The new Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan will contribute $500 to the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) of every child born to Alberta residents in 2005 and beyond. The program is designed to give parents an incentive to start planning and saving for their child’s post-secondary education as early as possible.

Where can I find more information on Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP),  the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) and the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan?

For information on each of these savings incentives, visit the HRSDC Web site, http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/cesg.shtml, or the Alberta Advanced Education Web site, http://www.advancededucation.gov.ab.ca/aces.