Education Resources

Education Overview

We help our KFN members achieve their education goals by providing excellent services, relevant information, up-to-date resources, support, encouragement, acknowledgment and direction. We provide services in a fair and consistent manner to all members, through the equitable administration of funding provided by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), the Post-Secondary Student Support Program, and Band Support for Education.

Education Capacity Development Committee

This committee’s mandate is to ensure our KFN students are supported with fair and appropriate programming opportunities in our school district and in post-secondary. We discuss and shape policy, making recommendations in the best interest of our youth.

Committee Members as of May 2025: Kelly Shopland, Lalita Kines, Kimberly Webber, Joshua Cobey, Jason Cobey, Simone Compton, Tami Compton, Pauline Engisch, Ramona Johnson, Donna Mitchell.

Click on the tab on the left to find Education related member resources you may need.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Please contact erin.higginbottom@komoks.ca.

Kindergarten to Grade 12 Support

All K’ómoks youth attending kindergarten to grade 12 (in person or distance learning) living on reserve, must be registered within School District 71 as a status K’ómoks Nominal Roll student. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provides funding for all Nominal Roll students registered annually. Some of the benefits associated with being on the Nominal Roll include September school start school supplies or graduation fee payment.

We have a Local Education Agreement with the Comox Valley School District (SD71) which allows for ISC funding to come to us directly. We then make tuition payments to SD71 as per our Nominal Roll. Our position and mandate give us the unique opportunity to work closely with SD71 to shape Indigenous learning to the highest standards and the future of our youth.

All districts in BC receive Indigenous targeted funding. If you are an off-reserve student and need additional services, please contact your school to find out what support you can apply for and/or are eligible for.

K to 12 Important Dates

  • 25th of each month – School incentive cheques released (grade 8 through 12)
  • Spring – Graduation fees reimbursed with receipts
  • Summer – Graduation/Recognition Ceremony
  • September – Nominal Roll Student supply cheques released

Comox Valley Schools (SD71) Information

Tutoring

KFN provides individual tutoring sessions in our learning centre to all K’ómoks students, in English and/or French. Parents and students must be committed to a one hour session per week. Please contact the Education Coordinator to arrange services.

Learning Links

Post-secondary Education

Please reach out to the KFN Youth and Education Capacity Development Coordinator for more information for all post-secondary education, resources and funding questions.

K’ómoks administers funds it receives from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) through the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) and the University & College Entrance Preparation Program (UCEPP). Both programs provide funding support for tuition, books and supplies, and a living allowance. Living allowances are administered to eligible funded students.

About University and College Entrance Preparation Program (UCEPP)

If you don’t have the courses or the grades you need, to enter the post-secondary program of your choice, you can apply for funding to upgrade through UCEPP. Please contact the KFN Education coordinator to familiarize yourself with the process and funding opportunities. Afterwards, you will need to contact the Indigenous Student Advisor at the educational institution you plan to study at, and obtain documentation that your course upgrades will meet the entrance requirements of your intended post-secondary program.

About Post-Secondary Funding resources

In addition to ISC funds, the Nation also receives the following from contractual private funding sources at present:

  • BC Hydro: trades funding up to $2,000 annually, on approved application
  • NVIATS: up to $10,000, one-time student funding to attend any post-secondary program, on approved application

Scholarship and bursaries available:

  • BC Hydro: $5,000 annual scholarship or $2,000 annual bursary for post-secondary education

Eligibility for Post-secondary Funding

  1. Registered K’ómoks First Nation Status, residing in Canada for 12 consecutive months prior to the date of application for funding
  2. Documentation indicating acceptance at an eligible post-secondary institution into either a degree, diploma or certificate program, or a University and College Entrance Preparation program (UCEPP)
  3. Once studying, maintaining satisfactory academic standing within that institution (as per the institution’s definition of satisfactory academic standing)

Apply for Funding

Please reach out to the KFN Youth and Education Capacity Development Coordinator for more information for all post-secondary education, resources and funding questions.

Application deadlines

  • October 1 for a January program start date
  • February 1 for April or July program start date
  • June 1 for a September program start date

Application process

  1. Review the K’ómoks Post-Secondary Funding Policy provided by KFN
  2. Complete, sign and submit your application package by the above deadline:
  3. The Education Coordinator reviews each package to ensure funding criteria is met.
  4. The Education Capacity Development Committee makes funding recommendations based on funding policy and availability of funds for the academic year as needed. All applicants are contacted on their funding outcome.

Funding resources

We encourage all Post-Secondary applicants to apply for alternate funding as well:

Additional Links