Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Through our SFA Program in the NWT, our jurisdiction has one of the best benefits programs that we offer to students. In comparison to other jurisdictions, we are ahead of them. I can just give you some examples. We did some research in our neighbouring Alberta Education Trust Fund as a prime example with the First Nation. Through the SFA rates determined the number of courses enrolled approximately $5,000 to students overall to complete the degree, $1,000 per year. So above and beyond, the student would have to pitch in from their own pocket. Not only that, we have off-reserve individuals, one person, $1,200 per month, and on-reserve individuals are capped at $1,200 per month.
There is also a deduction that’s made on these; there are conditions for absenteeism that are monitored through universities; two-day grace period, doctors’ notes required for sick leave. With our SFA Program we do not monitor those types of absenteeism or sick notes. We are above and beyond them.
There is a limitation on $50,000 for their loan limit. Ours is at $60,000 and we did increase that from $47,000 to $60,000 so we can service master’s students and so forth. So there are certain caps on southern programs that our..I think with our
program we have the strength of delivering even more than other jurisdictions.