Becoming a student
If you think you are ready to come back to school, congratulations! Here are some steps you can take to get the journey started:
- Starting out
- Requesting Band funding for your education
- Admission and registration
- Student identification card
- Do you have a Status card?
- Once you become a college student ...
We encourage you to contact an Aboriginal Advisor to answer any questions you might have.
Starting out
Talk with someone
Meet with a post-secondary education counsellor at your Band or Métis office, or Friendship Centre. See your school counsellor or, contact one of our Aboriginal Advisors.
- Talk about what kind of work you would like to do eventually, or what kind of education you’d like to get.
- Find out what is available to you here and other places. Find out what kinds of qualifications (prerequisites) you need to get into programs that interest you.
- Find out about application deadlines for different programs.
- Seek advice that makes sense to you.
Gather your records
- If you are currently in grade 12 completing the requirements for the program you want to get into, your records will be provided to Camosun College provided you have completed an application to the college. If you aren’t currently in high school and you have completed grade 10 or higher, Camosun College will want to see your academic records. You can go to your former school to request transcripts or records of marks. You may also be able to get your marks through the Ministry of Education.
- If you went to another college, Camosun will want to see those transcripts as well. Contact the institution you attended.
- If you did not complete high school, or if you do not have the English and/or math prerequisites to the program or courses you want to take, you can take an assessment. The assessment will show you where your academic skills are right now, and if you need to upgrade, it will tell you where you can start.
Plan your finances
This is a good time to meet with one of the Aboriginal Advisors to learn what kinds of funding may be available to you, and what you need to do to apply or qualify.
Requesting Band funding for your education
Welcome Pole at Lansdowne Campus
If you are Status Indian or Inuit you may be eligible for post-secondary funding. This funding usually covers tuition, books and supplies, and living allowances, but each Band, Tribal Council, or other funding agency has its own post-secondary policy. Funding is usually available only for post-secondary (not upgrading) education. It is well worth checking to see if you are eligible for Band funding. You will need to contact your Band or Tribal Council directly. The Department of Indian Affairs does not administer post-secondary funding anymore. Our Aboriginal Advisors can help you get started.
Usually, this is the basic process:
- Call your Band office and talk to the Education Coordinator. Ask them to send you their post-secondary education application and policy. You may have it mailed to you, or if you are working with a Aboriginal Advisor, you can have it faxed to you at our office.
- Read the policy and fill out the application. Make sure you pay attention to deadlines. Usually an application will ask you to provide:
- a completed application form
- a self-written letter briefly introducing yourself and outlining your education plans, both short-term (what you want to do the following year) and long-term (what credential and career you want to achieve).
- information about the program you are applying for, including costs and timelines
- high school records, or your most recent transcript (record of grades).
- a copy of your application to the college.
- Your Band will inform you if you have been approved. Meet with an Aboriginal Advisor to get a tuition and a bookstore sponsorship form faxed to the Band. Follow through with any additional requests from the Band. (For example, they may require you to sign a form that allows Camosun College to share educational information about you with them).
Main Entrance to Lansdowne Campus.
Admissions and registration
Aboriginal Education staff are happy to answer your questions about application and registration procedures and timetabling. Make an appointment with an Aboriginal Advisor.
Student identification cards
You will need to get your photo taken for your student identification card. Students on all campuses are required to obtain a Camosun College Student/Library/U Pass card in order to gain access to the following services:
- borrowing privileges at the Library and Audio-Visual Department
- Universal Bus Pass (U Pass)
- photocopy card (to add copy credits to your card take it to the Camosun Bookstore)
- recreation facilities and programs
- access to the Business computer labs and Trades/Technologies areas at Interurban campus (for students currently registered in certain Business/Trades or Tech courses)
- Camosun computer labs
- discount services at local merchants and restaurants
- Camosun pub nights (students must be 19 years of age).
Do you have a Status card?
Opt out of the Camosun College Medical/Dental Plan!
Your Status card offers health and dental coverage similar to that offered by Camosun College.
If you do not opt out of the Camosun College Student Society Benefit Plan (CCSS Benefits Plan) by the opt–out deadline, you will be billed, and will not be able to register for courses for the next semester until this fee is paid. To opt out, bring your Status card to an Aboriginal Advisor or to the CCSS Benefits Plan office, Fisher 101B, Lansdowne Campus or CBA 117, Interurban Campus.
You can save approximately $200 by opting out!
Once you become a college student ...
Stay current by connecting to information useful to Aboriginal students.