Nova Scotia Community College
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

The NSCC School of Access programs in Continuing Care Assistant LINK (CCA LINK), Office Administration LINK (OA LINK), Adult Learning Program (ALP), and English as Another Language (EAL) for ALP are funded via a Federal Provincial program through the Labour Market Agreement.

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 disenfranchised females who 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) and Office Administration (OA) Certificate LINK Programs. The program is designed to address a Labour Market need in a particular community and sector. Local employers sign an Employment Commitment Agreement to support students in their extended work terms. All student costs (tuition, books, uniforms, immunizations, health and dental) 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 financial form 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. Below is a listing of the 2013 NSCC student awards that include a financial need component: Fall Awards (Current Students) Aecon Atlantic Construction Trades & Technology Award Albert Anderson Memorial Bursary Arnold D. Johnson Sr. Award for Water Resources Atlantic Credit Unions Bursary Avondale Construction Limited Award Beth Murray Award Bird Construction Award BMO Financial Group Award Board of Directors Bursary Bread and Roses Bursary C.C. MacDonald Limited Award - In Memory of Charles C. MacDonald Cape Breton Island Building & Construction Trades Council and Unionized Cape Breton Contractors Entrance Bursary Carol Brasok Lifelong Learning Award Carol Squire Construction Education Award Colin and Ryan MacAskill Memorial Award Core Conference Scholarship Design & Construction Institute of Nova Scotia Award Dexter Construction Award Donna MacKinnon Award for Medical Office Professionalism Dr. Daurene E Lewis Memorial Award Dr. Joan McArthur-Blair Bursary Duggan Family Memorial Award Ernie and Delia Edwards Award in Culinary Excellence Floyd Brown Memorial Award Grant E. Crouse Memorial Award Gregory W. Dean Memorial Bursary Health Programs Bursary Ian L. MacDonald Award for Electrical Trades Interface & Workspace by Design Bursary James Mattatall Memorial Award Jason D. Mason Memorial Award Jeff Todd Memorial Award Jessie Tupper-Munroe Memorial Award Joe Gallagher Bursary for Water Resources John J. MacLellan Next Generation Award Kevin Megeney Memorial Award Krista Stewart Memorial Award Lillian Rodgers Memorial Bursary Lindsay Construction Award MacDougall Steel Erectors Inc. Award Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline Award Mark, Jeffrey and Susan Reeves Achievement Award Mark, Jeffrey and Susan Reeves Advanced Diploma Award Natalie Charbonneau Memorial Award Northern Pulp Pictou Landing First Nation Award Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association Entrance Award Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association Returning Student Award NSCC Foundation Bursary NSCLRA Claude Langley Memorial Scholarship Ocean Contractors Limited Award Paralegal Program Support for Excellence Award RBC Award RCS Award RKO Steel Award Robert Sampson Memorial Award Robert T. Peacock Achievement Award Rogers Media Entrance Award Saxton Family Award Scotiabank Entrance Award September 11th Memorial Award Shelburne Campus Community Involvement Award Shell Oceans Award Stephen Sorrey Memorial Award Stevens Group Award The Claude Langley Memorial Scholarship Tom Norwood Award Truefoam Limited Award Truro Business Office Award Truro Campus Fall Bursary Wanda & Raymond M. Ivany Merit Scholarship Waterfront Campus Dedication Award Women in Information Technology Award Women in Trades & Technology Bursary Spring Awards (Future and Current Students) Don & Jean Worsley Music Excellence Award Global Maritimes Media Award Marid Industries Limited Award Raymond E. Ivany Merit Scholarship Construction Association of Nova Scotia Building Futures for Youth Award J. R. Eisener Contracting Limited Award Kingstec Financial Need Entrance Award Webster Award Mechanical Limited Award Burridge Campus Spring Student Success Award

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 (85+ and growing) 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 and OA 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 Program have all additional costs such as uniforms, health and dental, and immunizations covered for the duration of the program. In Office Administration LINK the costs for health and dental are covered for the duration of the program. Faculty and staff support food banks, emergency funds and referral for additional supports as required.