What’s your transition plan?Planning & financing post-secondary education for students with permanent disabilities

Why post-secondary?

What do you expect from your post-secondary experience

Improve your chances of getting a job?

Increase your earning potential?

Enhance your job opportunities?

Increase your knowledge and skills?

What do you want to do after you finish your education?

Pick a program that you will find interesting

You need a career plan

Planning doesn’t mean deciding what to do for the rest of your life

If you’re in high school, the sooner you start planning, the more options you’ll have after graduation

Do some research - contact the educational institution you are interested in and talk to a counselor

Tap into resources such as OCCinfo, Edinfo and/or the booklet This is Your Life – a Career and Education Planning Guide – all available on the ALIS website www.alis.alberta.ca

Making the transition

You’re not alone!

The jump to post-secondary studies can be tough, but there is help. An excellent reference is the “Transition Planning Guide for Students with Disabilities and their Families” available for download at www.alis.alberta.ca/disabilities

Did you know?

Students with permanent disabilities can take 40% or more of a full course load and be considered a full-time student

Where to Go?

You have lots of post-secondary education options to consider

Public Colleges

Private Colleges

Universities

Apprenticeship Programs

Technical Schools

Private Vocational Schools

Explore your interests and passions

These could possibly turn into a career like the videos seen at www.alis.alberta.ca/disabilities

Where to Go?Technical Institutes

Offer a variety of 1-2 year certificate and diploma programs and 4 year applied degrees

Co-ordinate most apprenticeship programs in Alberta

Work with businesses to tailor programs to meet labour market demands

Private Vocational Schools

Short-term diploma programs that offer job-specific training

Often focus on one sector (e.g. technology or administration)

May provide extra job search support to graduating student

Funded through student tuition

Where to Go?Apprentice Programs

60 designated trades and occupations in Alberta

Programs range from 1 to 4 years in length

Apprentices earn an income while learning a trade

80% on-the-job training and 20% classroom training

You can begin apprenticeship in high school through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)

Scholarships and financial assistance available for eligible apprentices

Go to www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca for more information

Savings

Family contributions / RESP

Scholarships and Bursaries

Jobs: part-time and summer

Apprenticeship/Fellowship Programs

Government Student Assistance

Student Loan Products from lending institutions

How will I pay for it?

Jobs

It is expected that you work the summer before starting post-secondary and save about $360 a month – but, in special circumstances this requirement may be waived if you are unable to work because of a documented medical condition

Part-time work during post-secondary may help cover some expenses

Apprenticeship or Fellowship Programs

Go to www.tradesecrets.org for more information

Scholarships & Bursaries

Scholarships are usually based on grades or other achievements

Bursaries are usually based on demonstrated financial need

Sources include government, your post-secondary school, community groups, and corporations

Scholarship Connections www.alis.gov.ab.ca/scholarships

Banks have financial programs for students, but there are key differences from government – sponsored loans

The bank’s interest rate is not regulated and may be higher

The loan is not interest-free while in school

The loan may require a co-signer

You will not have access to government's debt management tools if there is difficulty with repayment

Bank Student Loans

Student Assistance

How much can I borrow?

Your assistance can include loans and grants

Maximum loan for single student: $13,300/year(2 semesters – for 2010/2011 loan year)

AllowableExpenses

Resources Available

Your Assistance– =

More financial assistance is available for students with special circumstances like permanent disabilities

Do I get any breaks?Alberta Loan Relief Completion Payment: Alberta government may pay back part of larger loans, visit www.alis.alberta.ca for more information

Tax CreditsIncome tax credit of 17% on interest paid on student loans

Interest ReliefPayments on student loans can be suspended for a short time

Debt Reduction: Government of Canada announced new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) for Canada Student Loans in August, 2009 visit www.can.learn for more information

Alberta Student Loan Relief Program

All students will be considered for Loan Relief Completion Payment at the completion of studies

Go to www.alis.alberta.ca or call the Student Funding Contact Centre or more information

Having a learning

disability or

psychiatric illness

makes it hard to

deal with the

stresses of

school. Learn to

manage the

challenges by

creating a

transition

planning team.

Case Study: LeeNAIT

Culinary Arts Program

$ 6,380 Tuition, instruments and books

$ 7,728 Rent, food, personal expenses, travel

$ 6,155 Disability-related equipment/services

School:

Program:

Cost:

$ 1,500 Savings

$ 820 Parental Contribution

$ 5,070 Canada Student Loan

$ 4,715 Alberta Student Loan

$ 2,000 Canada Grant-Permanent Disability

$ 6,155 Canada Grant-Services/Equipment

Financing:

4,590590

1,2007,728

14,108

Tuition Mandatory feesBooks, supplies, instruments Living allowance (941 x 8 mo) + 200 travel

Total Costs

Breakdown of Case Study Lee Cost

$$$$

$

1500820

2,320

11,7856,155

17,940

Savings (exceeds expected contribution)

Expected Contribution from parentsTotal Resources

Calculated NeedDisability related equipment/services

Total Award

Resources:

$$$

$

$

$

From

administrative

assistant in a clinic

to working in a

research

laboratory – yes

it’s possible!

School:

Program:

Cost:

Financing:

Case Study: JillUniversity of Alberta

General Sciences

$ 6,290 Tuition, fees and books

$ 7,728 Rent, food, personal expenses

$ 450 Learning Assessment Fee

$ 3,860 Savings

$ 4,065 Alberta Student Loan

$ 4,090 Canada Student Loan

$ 2,000 Canada Student Grant

for Students with Permanent

Disabilities

$ 335 Canada Student Grant

for Services and Equipment for Persons

with Disabilities (covers 75% of learning

assessment fee)

3,860

3,860

10,158

10,155355

10, 510

4,820470

1,0007,728

14,018

Tuition Mandatory feesBooks, supplies, instruments Living allowance

Total Costs

Student contribution

Total Resources

Calculated need

Calculated Need (Rounded)Learning Assessment (75%)

Total Award

Breakdown of Case Study Jill Cost:

Resources:

$$$$

$

$

$

$

$$

$

Norquest College

Accounting Technician

$ 6,380 Tuition, instruments and books

$ 7,728 Rent, food, personal expenses, travel

$ 7,500 Disability-related equipment/

services

School:

Program:

Cost:

$ 8,000 AISH

$ 2,000 Canada Student Grant for Students

with Permanent Disabilities

$ 1,825 Canada Student Loan

$ 2,555 Alberta Student Loan

$ 7,500 Canada Student Grant for Services

and Equipment for Students with Permanent

Disabilities

Financing:

Case Study PeteDream

big!

8,000

8,000

5,7566,380

6,3807,500

13,880

4,590590

1,2007,728

13,756

Tuition Mandatory feesBooks, supplies, instruments Living allowance

Total Costs

AISH

Total Resources

Calculated needTuition, fees, books

Total AwardDisability related equipment/services

Total

Breakdown of Case Study PeteCost

Resources

$$$$

$

$

$

$$

$$

$

www.alis.alberta.ca, click on Students Finance

www.canlearn.ca

Student Funding Contact Centrein Edmonton 427–3722 or toll free in Canada 1-800-222-6485

Career Information Hotline: 1-800-661-3753

Alberta Service Centres/Canada-Alberta Service Centres

High School Guidance Counsellors, disability service coordinator, or financial aid office at post-secondary educational institutions

Getting Help

Thank you!

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS??