K-9 Student Funding 101

What is the SLRF?

The BC Ministry of Education and Child Care acknowledges that there are some aspects of a general education program that are difficult to provide in an online environment. As such, financial support to a maximum of $600 per eligible NIDES student can be provided to enhance student learning through third party educational services, activities, or resources. Student learning using SLRF funding must be tied directly to competencies or content from the BC Curriculum and must be linked to the student’s education program. Teachers may assess student performance related to the service, activity, or resource supported by SLRF funds. Families may also choose to use SLRF to offset Internet access costs.

Student Eligibility:
Full-time NIDES student of record K-9 and the following criteria met:

• • Signed Student Learning Plan prior to September 30th
  • Engagement Activities submitted and assessed by your teacher
  • Regular engagement with your learning program

Examples of acceptable uses of SLRF funding:

• Sports activities with a formal instructional component (no equipment purchases)
• Music instruction, either in person or online (no equipment purchases)
• Dance classes, either in person or online (no equipment purchases)
• Horseback riding (no equipment purchases)
• Membership in an astronomy or photography club (no equipment purchases)
• Fine art instruction, either in person or online, including painting, pottery, knitting, drawing (no equipment purchases)
• Consumable educational products, such as math workbooks (school supplies and computer supplies are NOT eligible)
• Monthly Internet access costs

SLRF is NOT intended for:

• School supplies (including but not limited to paper, writing tools, binders, USB flash drives)
• Art supplies (including but not limited to markers, crayons, arts-and-crafts items)
• Hardware, or other non-consumable items (including but not limited to computers, laptops, printers, sports equipment, etc.)
• Tutors
• Play-based activities or resources not directly connected to the curriculum (including but not limited to LEGO or Playmobil)
• Career/ Technical Centre program courses or Post-secondary transition (dual credit) courses

Criteria for SLRF approval:
Funds for activities or resources must be paid directly to third-party providers. Direct payment or reimbursement to students or families is not possible, except for Internet costs. Additional criteria for activities, services, or resources (to be included on the completed SLRF application form):

• Approval of the activity, service, or resource by the student’s NIDES teacher
• Activity, service, or resource is aligned with curricular outcomes and student learning plan
• Activity, service, or resource must be based in Canada
• Activity must take place during school terms and must be completed by June 30, 2025

Internet access reimbursement:
Families can choose to be reimbursed for Internet costs up to a maximum of $600 per family. To be reimbursed, families must submit proof of payment of Internet bills with parent/guardian listed as the payer. Please note that bills alone are not sufficient. 

Student safety and third-party providers:
Parents and guardians are solely responsible for ensuring all safety related to third-party providers of services and locations of third-party instruction, as well as the use of any equipment therein.

SLRF funding schedule and calendar:
Student Learning Resource Funds (SLRF) are provided to a maximum level of $600 per student, per academic year, when the registration and Student Learning Plan are completed and fully executed (signed off by teacher and parents) between July 1st and September 30th each year.

• Students who are fully registered and active with the school between October 1st and January 31st, will be eligible for  50% of the SLRF ($300).
• Student registrations between February 1st and March 15th will be eligible for 30% of the SLRF ($180).
• No SLRF funding will be available for registration after March 15th each academic year.
• If a student leaves a Navigate (NIDES) program before February 15th, and has utilized SLRF funding, the parents/guardians may be required to refund the school (School Board) any SLRF funds that have been spent in support of the SLP beyond 50% of the total allotment (i.e. beyond $300 for fully executed registrations/SLPs prior to September 30th)

Application Process:

• Parent completes the SLRF Application Form which is automatically forwarded to the student’s NIDES teacher upon submission.
• NIDES teacher approves or denies the activity, service or resource and informs parent.
• NIDES teacher forwards the request to accounts who will process the application and pay the third party vendor.

PLEASE NOTE:

• A maximum of two requests per student for the academic school year

• The deadline to request any annual membership or subscription services (eg. Kiwico or Science World) is December 1.

• All requests must be submitted to your teacher via online request by  March 14

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