SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: GRANT PROGRAM IMPACTED BY GLOBAL FINANCIAL TURMOIL (Posted December 23, 2008)
LPNs can expect fewer approvals of Grant Applications, except for courses leading to specializations such as Operating Room, Orthopaedics, and Immunization.
Due to recent economic downturn, the endowment for the Grant Program of the Fredrickson-McGregor Education Foundation for LPNs has declined in value and the interest from which Grant funds are distributed has diminished. Beginning with the October 31, 2008 Application period, the Foundation suspended approval on courses in the categories of Event Funding (non-credit courses) and Long Term Funding (Bachelor-degree courses) pending the growth of the endowment.
Members are invited to continue applying for Short Term Funding, especially for courses such as Operating Room, Orthopaedics, Leadership, Mental Health, Gerontology, Immunization, IM/ID, Infusion Therapy, Chronic Diseases and Foot Care. Funding is also available for the CLPNA's 2009 Spring Conference.
NEW - Can I receive a Grant for the CLPNA Spring Conference?
The Foundation has pre-approved grants of a maximum of $100 towards the registration fee for eligible applicants registering for both days (two days) of CLPNA's Spring Conference.
Applicants must meet the Grant Guidelines eligibility requirements and apply for the Grant using a Grant Application Form. For the convenience of LPNs registering for the Conference online at www.clpnaconference.com, an online Grant Application Form is included as part of the registration process.
Who can apply for a Grant?
Education Grants are available to LPNs residing in Alberta who have an Active Practice Permit from the CLPNA. Submission of an Application does not guarantee approval.
What courses qualify for a Grant?
Beginning with the October 31, 2008 Application period, funding has been suspended for Event Funding (with the exception of Applications for CLPNA Spring Conference), and Long Term Funding pending the growth of our endowment. Members are invited to continue applying for Short Term Funding, especially for courses such as Operating Room, Orthopaedics, Leadership, Mental Health, Gerontology, Immunization, IM/ID, Infusion Therapy, Chronic Diseases and Foot Care.
Grant funds are intended to support courses and conferences which have specific impact on both nursing skill and knowledge within the LPN profession. Courses and conferences must be applied for individually, and the course/conference outline(s) or description must be included with the Grant Application to allow the Selections Committee to determine if the course qualifies.
Funding will be distributed in three key areas. Based on identified need, CLPNA prioritized spending in the following order:
- Short Term Funding – Educational programs leading to obtainment of advanced nursing certification or enhanced specialty knowledge. (ie. Operating Room, Orthopaedics, Leadership, Mental Health, Gerontology, Immunization, IM/ID, Infusion Therapy, Chronic Diseases, Foot Care, etc.)
- Event Funding – Non-credit educational programs including participation in conferences, workshops and seminars related to nursing.
- Long Term Funding – Educational programs at the baccalaureate level in fields that complement and enhance the evolving role of LPNs.
Note: Training that is a condition of employment will not be funded (ex. CPR, WHMIS, back care, etc.).
Can I receive a Grant for courses taken while enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees?
Grant funding is intended to support LPNs to develop additional knowledge and skills within the profession of practical nursing and is not intended for development of LPNs to another category of professional nurse.
What expenses qualify for Grant funding?
The goal of CLPNA is to ensure eligible applicants have the opportunity to receive some level of Grant funding. Grants are intended to help with the cost of tuition for education intended to enhance knowledge and skills of the LPN within the profession.
Transportation and accommodation requests must meet Grant Guideline criteria and are pre-determined amounts based on the distance from the LPN’s residence to the education location.
Reimbursement requests for additional expenses such as books, materials, or lost wages will not be considered.
Applications will be reviewed on an individual basis and must be for a minimum of $100.00.
Additional funding may be available to approved applicants whose employer has formally partnered with the Foundation for this purpose. Funding Partners are identified on the Grant Application Form.
When should I apply? How do I know which Application Deadline to apply for?
There are four Application Deadlines each year:
- January 30
- April 30
- July 30
- October 30
For the course to be eligible for a certain Application Deadline, the date of course completion must fall in a period that extends from six months before the Application Deadline to six months after the Application Deadline. See the below list of Application Deadlines.
- Determine the date you will finish your course. This is your “date of course completion”.
- Compare the “date of course completion” against the upcoming Application Deadlines to determine when to apply:
Upcoming Application Deadline Dates
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The date of course completion is between:
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Application Deadline
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February 1, 2010 and January 31, 2011
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July 31, 2010
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May 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011
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October 31, 2010
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August 1, 2010 and July 31, 2011
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January 31, 2011
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November 1, 2010 and October 31, 2011
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April 30, 2011
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February 1, 2011 and January 31, 2012
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July 31, 2011
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May 1, 2011 and April 30, 2012
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October 31, 2011
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Future Application Deadlines occur every three months.
For example, if your course completion date is September 15, 2010, the course is eligible for the following Application Deadlines: April 30, 2010; October 30, 2010; or January 30, 2011.
Can I apply for a Grant before completing the course?
Yes. See "When should I apply?" above.
How often may I apply for a Grant?
Applicants may apply for funding once per Application Deadline and priority may be given to first time applicants.
Starting with the October 31, 2008 Application period, the Selections Committee will only consider one Application during the calendar year (January 1 - December 31), with the exception of Applications for CLPNA Spring Conference.
When will I be notified if I've been approved for a Grant?
The Selections Committee of the Foundation reviews each application individually and will notify applicants in writing within six (6) weeks after the Application Deadline. The Selections Committee will approve, deny, or may require more information. Information regarding application status will not be released over the phone. Decisions of the Selections Committee are final.
Do I need my Supervisor to sign the Addendum: Funding Partnership section of the Grant Application Form? What are the Funding Partnerships?
Currently, ONLY employees of The Capital Care Group Foundation should have their Supervisor fill out and sign this section of the Grant Application Form to be considered for additional funding (if eligible or applicable).
The Education Foundation is exploring funding partnerships with Alberta's LPN Employers and Health Regions to share the financial burden of valuable continuing education between LPNs, the Foundation, and LPN employers. Currently, we have one partnership established with "The Capital Care Group Foundation". As new funding partnerships are established, details will be posted here.
How do I receive my Grant cheque?
In the letter from the Selections Committee, approved applicants will receive a list of required items that must be submitted before a grant cheque is disbursed. Total grant funds are not distributed until the Foundation receives original tuition receipts and proof of successful course completion and any other items the Foundation requests from the applicant. DO NOT send these items with your Application Form.
Applicants approved for grants over $1000 may receive partial funding before course completion by submitting verification of enrollment and original tuition receipt(s).
The required items must be received by the Foundation before the date indicated on the letter or your grant will be forfeit.
Grant awards are non-transferable to any other individual or course.
How do I apply for a Grant?
Before applying, please review the Grant Guidelines and the above Frequently Asked Questions to ensure you and your course(s) qualify. Then print a Grant Application, fill in all requested information, and mail or fax it to the Foundation. Only complete and eligible applications will be considered.
Click here for the current Grant Application
Need help?
First, please carefully read these FAQ's and the Grant Guidelines. We've found that most questions are answered in these documents.
If you still require assistance, contact the Foundation's Grant Administrator, Nicolle Blondheim, at EducationFoundation@clpna.com or (780) 484-8886.