Application Criteria
Bursary thresholds and responsibilities
As you plan your post-secondary path, review this page to see if you're eligible for TAB. Our bursary can help fund numerous academic pursuits, from the arts and humanities to business and tech-based programming.
Step 1: Get Accepted Into Your Program
Before being considered for TAB funding, you must first be accepted into one of the certificate, diploma or degree programs offered by our partner institutions.
Each program will have enrolment requirements. Do your research to ensure you've got the grades, credits or credentials needed for acceptance into your field of study.
Step 2: Complete Your TAB Application
To be considered for a bursary, you must submit a TAB application. Please take your time and make sure it's complete and accurate. Important details include:
- Proof of residence within Brazeau County
- Proof of program admission and tuition amounts
- Documentation of all additional funding resources
- An explanation of how TAB funding will help
Once submitted, program administrators will review your application. The Town of Drayton Valley will notify successful applicants and provide further documentation. Bursaries are granted on a first-come, first-served basis until the budgeted TAB funding limit for the given year has been reached.
Step 3: Successfully Finish Your Program
At the end of your program, you must provide proof of completion, such as a transcript, certificate, or letter from the post-secondary institution. You'll have 60 days to do so.
Please note that if you fail to complete your course or your enrollment is revoked, program administrators may require you to pay back all or a portion of the bursary funding.
The TAB program supports two distinct areas of academic focus, each with a different cap.
We strive to help community members achieve their academic goals while strengthening the economic framework of our region.
Primary Focus: Building the Backbone of our Region
TAB funding up to $5,000
Child & Youth Care »
Early Learning & Child Care »
Educational Assistant »
Social Work »
Carpenter »
Electrician »
Welder »
Are you driven to make a difference? TAB's primary focus areas support students pursuing careers essential to the health, safety and well-being of communities across Brazeau County.
These roles include emergency services, health care careers, and human services.
Are you driven to make a difference? TAB's primary focus areas support students pursuing careers essential to the health, safety and well-being of communities across Brazeau County.
These roles include emergency services, health care careers, and human services.
Child & Youth Care »
Early Learning & Child Care »
Educational Assistant »
Social Work »
Carpenter »
Electrician »
Welder »
Please note: TAB program administrators give special consideration and administrative priority to bursary applicants pursuing learning and childcare programs, lifeguarding programs, and academic upgrading courses.
Secondary Focus: Cultivating Vibrant Rural Communities
TAB funding up to $2,500
Do you envision a community rich in experiences, opportunities, and skilled craftsmanship?
TAB's secondary focus supports fields of study that enhance our quality of life, drive economic growth, and build a dynamic and well-rounded environment for all.
Do you envision a community rich in experiences, opportunities, and skilled craftsmanship? TAB's secondary focus areas are dedicated to programs that enhance our quality of life, drive economic growth, and build a well-rounded, dynamic environment for everyone.
TAB's secondary focus supports fields of study that enhance our quality of life, drive economic growth, and build a dynamic and well-rounded environment for all.
Please note: TAB program administrators give special consideration and administrative priority to bursary applicants pursuing learning and childcare programs, lifeguarding programs, and academic upgrading courses.
Tuition Assistance Bursary Policy
The Town of Drayton Valley and Brazeau County are committed to reducing financial barriers for community members to access accredited post-secondary education and training that serves to develop knowledge and skills relevant to their pursuit of professional development in existing careers and/or new vocational opportunities.
This policy ensures that the Town of Drayton Valley has an accountable and transparent process for tuition assistance funding requests through the Tuition Assistance Bursary.
General Policy - Eligibility Requirements
Residency in the Brazeau County Region
To be considered for tuition funding, applicants must provide evidence that they reside within the corporate limits of either the Town of Drayton Valley or Brazeau County. Proof of physical address would include, but is not limited to, a driver’s license, utility bill or a copy of a lease agreement.Spirit and Purpose of TAB Funding
Any course or program through a Post-Secondary Institution Partner is eligible for funding, only after other funding options have been exhausted (federal, provincial, institutional grants / bursaries or scholarships). In the event alternative funding options are available, the Bursary would cover tuition costs not covered by those funding options.Focus Areas of the TAB Program
The TAB program is divided into two focus areas.Primary Focus Areas: This category includes programs that support the essential functions of a community, such as emergency services, healthcare careers, and human services. Students within this area will be eligible to receive up to $5,000.
Secondary Focus Areas: This category encompasses programs that enhance the quality of life and support a thriving community, such as hospitality and tourism, parks and recreation, business and administration, and apprenticeships and trades. Students within this area will be eligible to receive up to $2,500.
Award Contingent on Student Loan
Eligibility is dependent on the student’s ability to secure student loan(s).General Policy - Procedure
The Town of Drayton Valley will serve as the primary administrator of the Tuition Assistance Bursary, responsible for:
- Receiving and processing applications as per the Tuition Assistance Bursary Policy
- Verifying applicant eligibility based on residency, program accreditation, and financial need
- Administering the disbursement of funds either directly to post-secondary institutions or the students upon confirmation of enrolment
- Maintaining accurate records of funding allocations, approvals, and rejections
- Providing periodic reports to Brazeau County on program utilization and impact
- Coordinating outreach and promotional efforts to raise awareness of the program
- Recovering funds from delinquent student accounts
Definitions
Within this Policy the following definitions shall apply:
- “Applicant” refers to an individual applying through the Tuition Assistance Bursary.
- “Financial Need” refers to an individual who has demonstrated their financial need for tuition assistance.
- “Tuition Assistance” refers to the funding of tuition costs only. Non-tuition associated and additional costs (including books, supplies, application, administrative, and technology fees) are not eligible for funding and will be the student's responsibility.
- “Post-Secondary Institution Partner” an accredited institution or program that has gone through a quality assurance review and met territorial post-secondary education standards in Alberta, with a working agreement with the Town.
Responsibilities
Administration will ensure that:
- This policy and the supporting procedures are implemented and maintained and
- All employees and supervisors receive relevant information and instruction on the policy and procedures.
Tuition Assistance Bursary recipients:
- Must submit their application via email, in person, or through an online submission portal.
- Must submit required documentation alongside their application, this would include, but is not limited to, proof of residency, program acceptance letter, documentation on other funding options, evidence of financial need and anything else deemed required by the program administrator.
- While students may be approved for funding of up to $2,500 or $5,000. Disbursement is subject to the availability of funds.
- If approved, the Applicant will be issued a Letter of Credit / Letter of Authorization from the Town, to be sent to a financial institution guaranteeing full payment of the approved funds.
- Agree to provide proof of successful completion (e.g., copy of transcript, certificate, or letter from the Post-Secondary Institution Partner) within 60 days of the program course end date.
- Are responsible for reimbursing the Tuition Assistance Bursary fund in full if they do not successfully complete the program/course within 90 days of the end date, or by a mutually agreed upon extension deadline.
- Must contract with the Town of Drayton Valley.
- Agree and grant permission for the collection, use, and disclosure of their information for research and data collection purposes related to this program. This information may be shared with academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, or other entities conducting research on the program's impact and effectiveness.
Withdrawals and Penalties
The Tuition Assistance Bursary management may require that the student pay back all or a portion of the fees under the following circumstance(s):
- If the student’s enrolment in a course/program is revoked due to academic or non-academic misconduct.
- Failure to complete the course(s)/program due to voluntary withdrawal.
Just three
simple eligibility requirements
to participating in the program
- Reside within Drayton Valley or Brazeau County*
- Enrol in one of the partner institutions
- Successfully complete your program
Respected institutions. More than a hundred sought-after programs.
A big financial boost!
Take Advantage of TAB
Grab your gifted tuition, get your education on track, and grow the career you deserve.
" The TAB program helps remove barriers when it comes to tuition for post-secondary education. What's more, local learners can stay here in the community while they pursue a degree from urban-based institutions."
Nancy DoddsMayor, Town of Drayton Valley" It makes sense for Pembina to partner with the town on the TAB program. It allows our youth to stay right here within the community to get the training that they need. I know if I had had that sort of opportunity, it would've been valuable for me."
Mike KarachSupervisor, Drayton Valley Area, Pembina Pipeline Corporation" The industry advantage of the TAB program is that they have a skilled local labour pool to draw upon. This means they don’t have to look elsewhere to bring good people on board. We're relying on the folks we have here and the skills they bring to the table."
Colin ClarkeCouncillor, Town of Drayton Valley" A TAB candidate could be a single mom, or maybe a dad with a job who’s also taking care of his family. Our program helps alleviate financial hardship for these prospective post-secondary students. They can improve their skillsets to achieve their dream career."
Amilla GammanaCouncillor, Town of Drayton Valley" We've hired a number of healthcare aides thanks to the TAB program. Seven or eight of our healthcare aides have gone through the program and become certified, and we currently have more in the program right now. It really speaks to the success of the program because it's making our team stronger and allowing us to provide the best care."
Emily NicholsHealth and Wellness Manager, Seasons Retirement Community"I was a stay-at-home mom for 27 years and ended up having to go back to work. Without the TAB program, I wouldn't be where I am right now. There was a point where I was going to have to move out of Drayton Valley. I couldn't afford to be where I was. When I found out about this program, my whole world changed."
Tobi SiwiskiHealth Care Aide, Seasons Retirement Community"There's a variety of different training opportunities and educational opportunities that the TAB program could cultivate locally. Everything from trades to technologies to business administration. Having seen some growth within the program, it makes sense now that this is our opportunity to get on board"
Mike KarachSupervisor, Drayton Valley Area, Pembina Pipeline Corporation"We want to see this program grow and to support our local students in achieving their post-secondary goals. Offering these opportunities in Drayton Valley will support our entire community and local industry."
Nancy DoddsMayor, Town of Drayton ValleyGet in Touch With TAB
Do you need to clarify an aspect of the bursary criteria? Have another question about the TAB program? Submit your inquiry here, and we'll respond as soon as we can.
The TAB program facilitates local post-secondary learning opportunities for residents of the Town of Drayton Valley and the Brazeau County region. Administrators reserve the right to periodically review and update the program and its funding criteria. Operation of the TAB program is subject to the availability of funding.