Nova Scotia Community College
PA-8: Affordability and Access

The NSCC School of Access offers a number of programs that minimizes the cost of attendance for low income students.
1. Adult Learning Program (ALP) is a program designed for students who for a multitude of life circumstances have not had an opportunity to complete their high school education (grade 12) pre-entry level to post-secondary programs. This program is offered at no cost to the learners (tuition and learner resources). The program is funded through a partnership between the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning, the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education and Nova Scotia Community College. NSCC works in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services and Employment Nova Scotia to facilitate access to the program for learners. In this way learners can complete their education while continuing to receive their benefits. The majority (72%) of students who successfully graduate with their Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma continue with post-secondary education.
2. LINK Programming, is a unique program designed for students who have had their high school education interrupted. The majority of students are on income assistance or are the working poor, struggling at minimum wage jobs with no hope of future advancement or improved wages. LINK students are academically assessed for entry into the program at ALP Level 4. In addition, they commit to be enrolled in continuous study for a period of 14-23 months depending on the program. Students work concurrently towards completion of their Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma for Adults (through ALP) and an NSCC certificate. Currently NSCC offers Continuing Care Assistant Certificate (CCA), Information Technology LINK, Construction Trade Labourer LINK and is in the process of creating a Carpentry LINK. LINK programs are designed to address a Labour Market need in a particular community and employment sector. Local employers sign an Employment Commitment Agreement to support students in their work terms. All student costs (tuition, student fees, books, resources and equipment, health and dental and bus pass where applicable) are covered through the funding agreement with the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning and the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education via a Federal Provincial program through the Labour Market Agreement. Similar to ALP, NSCC works in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services and Employment Nova Scotia to facilitate access to the program for students to ensure they can continue to collect their benefits while attending college.
3. English as Another Language for ALP and English for Academic Purposes are offered to support new Canadians with permanent residency, a refugee with protected person status; or a new Canadian citizen who needs to update English language skills to pursue post-secondary studies. English for Academic Purposes (EAP) is a rigorous and challenging program designed to prepare students for the academic demands of post-secondary education. As closely as possible, it reflects the authentic tasks and assignments that students will be required to do when they go on to credit programs in either college or university.

4. Adult ESL Option: English as an Additional Language (EAL) option provides an integrated approach for adult students (19 years of age or older) who need to complete their High School Graduation Diploma and build their English language skills at the same time. Students learn to meet the demand of studying and communicating in English and achieve the requirements needed to demonstrate fluency.

5. An African Canadian Transition Option is a unique program for students who self-identify as being Black/from the African Canadian community (of African descent). Students have an option of starting the Adult Learning Program in the African Canadian Transition option. In the safety of the classroom, students discuss topics such as racism, power, privilege, and politics, and are encouraged to strive for excellence. Using the principles of Africentricity, information is presented through the students’ eyes by validating African knowledge and contributions to society. Students are exposed to African Canadian role models and mentors and become empowered to embrace a positive self-image. After one year, most participants transition into the Adult Learning Program to complete the courses needed for their high school diploma.

6. The NSCC Student Awards program recognizes achievement in the areas of academic performance, leadership, community involvement, and career advancement. Awards are funded by employees, current students, board members, service clubs, corporations, small businesses, foundations, and alumni. The program also mitigates financial barriers by offering many awards which contain a financial need component. For these awards, students are asked to complete a needs assessment detailing their expenses and revenues, allowing for proper and consistent assessment in this area.  For awards that include financial need, the component is weighed differently – some awards are granted based on 100% financial need, while others may include other components outlined above. In 2016, approximately $725,000 was awarded to 700 NSCC students through this program. Below is a listing of the 2016 NSCC student awards that include a financial need component:

Note: Awards supporting non-traditional students are denoted with an * in the list below.
 
Financial Need only:
•             Aramark Canada Entrance Bursary
•             Beth Murray Award
•             Bill & Shirley Squires Award
•             BMO Financial Group Award*
•             Board of Directors Bursary*
•             Bruce DeVenne Memorial Bursary
•             Cape Breton Island Building & Construction Trades Council and Unionized Cape Breton Contractors Entrance Bursary
•             Dexter Construction Award
•             Donna MacKinnon Award for Medical Office Professionalism
•             Gregory W. Dean Memorial Bursary
•             Health Programs Bursary
•             Joyce Foundation Bursaries
•             Kingstec Financial Need Entrance Award
•             Mark, Jeffrey and Susan Reeves Achievement Award
•             NSCC Foundation Bursary
•             NSCC Foundation Tribute Bursary
•             Princess Auto Foundation Entrance Bursary
•             Scotiabank Entrance Award
•             TD Bank Group Bursary*
•             The Risley Family Access to Opportunities Bursary
 
Financial Need + Merit (Academic/Leadership) Combination:
•             AB Mechanical Limited Award
•             Aecon Atlantic Construction Trades & Technology Award
•             Albert Anderson Memorial Bursary*
•             Algoma Central Corporation Marine Engineering Technology Scholarship
•             Algoma Central Corporation Marine Navigation Technology Scholarship
•             Amber Kirwin Memorial Award
•             AMIRIX Systems Inc. Entrance Award
•             Arnold D. Johnson Sr. Award for Water Resources*
•             Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association Award for Heavy Duty Equipment/Truck and Transport Repair Award
•             Atlantica Mechanical Award
•             Avondale Construction Limited Award
•             Bird Construction Award
•             BP Exploration (Canada) Ltd Award*
•             Burridge Campus Tri-County Entrance Scholarship
•             CANS Building Futures for Youth Award
•             Carol Brasok Lifelong Learning Award*
•             Carol Squire Construction Education Award
•             Cherubini Metal Works Award
•             CHF College Entrance Scholarship
•             CHF Culinary Management Scholarship
•             Clarence Hutchison Memorial Award
•             Claude Langley Memorial Scholarship
•             Colin and Ryan MacAskill Memorial Award
•             Conrad Brothers Limited Award
•             Construction Curling Association Scholarship
•             Core Conference Scholarship
•             Country Garden Club Award
•             Credit Union Education Award
•             Danny Tobin Memorial Award for ALP Graduates
•             Danny Tobin Memorial Award for Bridgetown Regional High School Graduates
•             Design & Construction Institute of Nova Scotia Award
•             Digihub Marketing Mastery Award
•             Dr. Joan McArthur-Blair Bursary*
•             Duggan Family Memorial Award
•             Electro-Federation Canada (Atlantic) Scholarship
•             Ernie and Delia Edwards Award in Culinary Excellence
•             Francis David Memorial Bursary
•             Garland Manitowoc 1 Year Culinary Scholarship
•             George MacLean Pathways Award
•             Global Maritimes Media Award
•             Grant E. Crouse Memorial Award
•             Guildfords Group of Companies Award
•             Halifax Broadcasting Award
•             Heather Cruickshanks Women in Trades Award
•             Interface Bursary
•             International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers Local 752 Award
•             J. R. Eisener Contracting Limited Award
•             James Mattatall Memorial Award
•             Jason Connell Memorial Award
•             Jason D. Mason Memorial Award
•             Jeff Todd Memorial Award
•             Jessie Tupper-Munroe Memorial Award
•             Jim & Linda Ross Award
•             jipuktuk etli apatua'timk Award*
•             Joan Penney Leadership Award
•             Joe Gallagher Bursary for Water Resources
•             John J. MacLellan Next Generation Award
•             Kevin Megeney Memorial Award
•             Kingstec Citizenship and Community Service Entrance Award
•             Krista Stewart Memorial Award
•             Laurie-Ann Ellis Memorial Award
•             Lillian Rodgers Memorial Bursary
•             Lindsay Construction Award
•             MacDougall Steel Erectors Inc. Award
•             Marcia Trainor Memorial Scholarship
•             Marid Industries Limited Award
•             Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline Award
•             Maxim Construction Award
•             Merit Nova Scotia Construction Trade Award
•             Natalie Charbonneau Memorial Award
•             Nick Gormley Memorial Award
•             Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association Entrance Award
•             Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association Returning Student Award
•             Nova Scotia Construction Safety Association Award
•             NSCC Alumni Legacy Award
•             NSCC Pictou Campus Learning Commitment Award
•             NSCLRA Unionized Electrical Contractors Scholarship
•             Occupational Health & Safety Award (Northern Region)
•             Ocean Contractors Limited Award
•             Office Interiors “Love the Way You Learn” Award
•             Paralegal Program Support for Excellence Award
•             Part-time Studies Bursary for Women*
•             PCL Constructors Canada Inc. Award
•             Pengrowth Nova Scotia Energy Scholarships
•             Raymond E. Ivany Merit Scholarship
•             RCS Award
•             RKO Steel Award
•             Robert Sampson Memorial Award
•             Robert T. Peacock Achievement Award
•             Roger LeBlanc “Anything is Possible” Award
•             Rogers Radio & Broadcasting Award
•             Rotary Club of Middleton Award
•             Saxton Family Award
•             Shaw Group Limited – Construction Materials Group (CMG) Award
•             Shell Oceans Award*
•             Shirley Ann MacLean Tourism Award
•             Sienna and Leif Labelle Memorial Award
•             Snider Family Educational Opportunities Award*
•             Stephen Sorrey Memorial Award
•             Stevens Group Award
•             Ted Meldrum Citizen in Business Award
•             The Honourable Mayann E. Francis Hope & Inspiration Award*
•             The Horsnell Wade Marine Officer's Award
•             Tom Norwood Award
•             Truefoam Limited Award
•             Walker Wood Foundation Award
•             Wanda & Raymond M. Ivany Merit Scholarship
•             Webster Award
•             Wilcraft Concrete Opportunities Award
•             WINS Bursary*
•             Wood Family Community Leadership Award
•             Zonta Club of Halifax Award
 
Urgent Aid
Urgent Aid funding is available at each campus to help students who find themselves facing unanticipated financial challenges that may affect their ability to remain in college or who have financial need and have nowhere else to turn. Urgent Aid may come in the form of a gift card, cheque, or cash, depending on the individual student's personal circumstance. Students must have demonstrated financial need in a needs assessment to be eligible. While the campus will make every effort to meet the needs of its students, the total value received by a student will not exceed $500 and may normally only be accessed once per academic year.

1. Students enrolled in the School of Access are supported and served through a dedicated and qualified Adult Learning Program Counsellor. The ALP-C works in collaboration with faculty and staff to support each student to ensure each has the resources required to be successful. In addition to counselling services, faculty and staff support and facilitate students with issues related to housing, a food and clothing bank and linking with other agencies on a per student basis. Staff work as a team to ensure that they provide all available and appropriate support to enable each student to focus on academic success.

2. Students also receive professional support through the Disability Resource Facilitator. Funds are provided through the Nova Scotia Labour and Advanced Education Department to ensure students’ access to tutoring, psychological educational testing and other accommodations at no cost to the student as needed.

1. Students in the School of Access Programs have dedicated access to a qualified and dedicated Adult Learning Program Counsellor who supports and facilitates their transition into learning in consultation with faculty and staff.

2. Adult ESL Option: English as an Additional Language (EAL) option provides an integrated approach for adult students (19 years of age or older) who need to complete their High School Graduation Diploma and build their English language skills at the same time. Students learn to meet the demand of studying and communicating in English and achieve the requirements needed to demonstrate fluency.

3. English as Another Language for ALP and English for Academic Purposes are offered to support new Canadians with permanent residency, a refugee with protected person status; or a new Canadian citizen who needs to update English language skills to pursue post-secondary studies. English for Academic Purposes (EAP) is a rigorous and challenging program designed to prepare students for the academic demands of post-secondary education. As closely as possible, it reflects the authentic tasks and assignments that students will be required to do when they go on to credit programs in either college or university.

An extensive college-wide bursary and awards program is available to students.
In addition to upwards of 30 awards designated for APL learners, program tuition and associated costs (text books, Health and Dental) are covered for students enrolled in the ALP and LINK programs.

"Get Started" is an orientation to college for learners and their supporters (parents, guardians, learner's partner, or other family supporters). This workshop introduces supporters to college, workload, stresses and how they can support their learner.

The School of Access staff has extensive relationships with all partners at the community and government level to reach out to students with low-income backgrounds. There are coordinated advertising campaigns and presentations to community-based and government groups. To recruit students for the CCA LINK, Construction Trade Labourer LINK, Information Technology LINK, and Carpentry Link Programs the School of Access collaborated with NSCC Marketing and Communications to develop and action an extensive targeted marketing and recruitment campaign. In addition, numerous community based presentations, open houses and visits were made in each location where the program was being offered. The LINK Program and Adult Learning Program staff collaborate with a wide range of community partners such as the Department of Community Services, Employment Nova Scotia, Community Learning Networks, First Nations Education Councils and African Nova Scotians Services, Chambers of Commerce, Municipal Government Development Officers and sector councils to ensure that all partners and the clients they serve are aware of the learning opportunities available.

ALP and LINK students are guided through the application and admissions process by staff, and the ALP-C. Often students do not have access to a computer to complete the application process. The ALP-C facilitates this process in conjunction with faculty and staff to ensure that the admissions process is not a barrier to participation.

The NSCC Student Awards program also mitigates financial barriers by offering many awards which contain a financial need component. For these awards, students are asked to complete a financial form detailing their expenses and revenues, allowing for proper and consistent assessment in this area.

Students enrolled in the Continuing Care Assistant Link Program have all additional costs such as uniforms, health and dental, and immunizations covered for the duration of the program. In In all LINK Programs (IT, Carpentry, Construction Trade Labour) support learners by covering all fees for the duration of the program. The underlying philosophy of LINK programming is to remove as many barriers as are in our control so that those not currently in the workforce are able to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to embark on a career path.  The goal is for the College to coordinate and order anything needed so that the student is not faced with trying to find funds and dealing with undue hardship.

NSCC Library Services has had a Laptop and iPad Lending Pilot in place at two campus libraries for the past two years. Based on the success of these pilots, in November 2016 this lending program is being rolled out across all NSCC campus libraries. This program provides students who may not be able to afford computers or devices with access to technology to be successful in their studies.

Faculty and staff support food banks, emergency funds and referral for additional supports as required.

This has been identified as a sector of growing need as the number of part-time students increases.

Nine NSCC campuses have a childcare facility as a result of College funding and/or College/community partnership funding. These childcare facilities give preference to NSCC students and staff.

NSCC Pictou Campus further enhances this service by offering a discount to students and staff. Students may also be eligible for a subsidy through the Department of Community Services.