WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg’s Post-Secondary Education Community Outreach Program (PSECOP) is pleased to announce the Future Starts Now education investment partnership with The Sagkeeng First Nation Economic Development Department, the first of its kind in Manitoba.
Investment Strategy
The Future Starts Now Program is an education investment strategy that utilizes the Federal Government’s Canada Education Saving Grant and the Canada Learning Bond to supplement a Registered Education Savings Plan that the Sagkeeng Economic Development Department will open in the name of each Sagkeeng child born since December 31, 2003. This partnership will assist Sagkeeng First Nation families to save for a child’s future education through Sagkeeng funding and government incentives.
Investment in Education
“We want to support the Sagkeeng First Nation as the community invests in their children’s post-secondary education. We can do this by sharing information about RESPs and the incentives the Federal government has to offer, to ensure families have the tools they need to save for their children’s future education,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. “We want these young people to know post-secondary education is an option for them. We are proud to support this initiative led by Chief Donavan Fontaine and Economic Development Officer Mike Fontaine, who have made RESPs a priority in their community. The funding to attend a post-secondary institution will now be there when it is needed.”
An Educated Nation
“The vibrancy and vitality of our people is dependant on how well we prepare for the future,” says Donavan Fontaine, Chief of the Sagkeeng First Nation. ”I am a staunch believer that a prosperous nation is an educated nation and this program is a solid step in providing our child citizens with a chance to further their education if that is the path they choose.”
Sagkeeng First Nation recognizes that the 860 children citizens born in Sagkeeng since December 31, 2003 will experience funding challenges when it is their time to attend a post-secondary institution. This program will help close this gap.
The Post-Secondary Education Community Outreach Program (PSECOP) led by University of Winnipeg is a term project funded until May 31, 2011 by the Government of Canada through its Education Savings Community Outreach Contribution Program. The PSECOP’s purpose is to offer support and information to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit as well as new immigrant families on the Canadian government’s saving incentives. The University of Winnipeg wants to ensure that everyone, regardless of background or socio-economic status, has access to higher education opportunities.
Led by Coordinator Wendy McNab, PSECOP has partnered with 25 local organizations to share information with over 800 parents living in communities throughout Winnipeg. The PSECOP is assisting families through all stages of the RESP application process. Additionally, financial resources for parents attending the RESP information sessions is provided through “In Charge” Money Management workshops, covering a range of topics from debts and savings to goal planning and scholarship information.
The Government of Canada is committed to helping Canadian families save for their children’s education after high school by offering special education savings incentives, including the Canada Learning Bond and the Canada Education Savings Grant, through RESPs. For more information on these incentives, please visit CanLearn.ca.
