Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

1. What is the Mathematics Bursary Program?

2. What is the purpose of the Mathematics Bursary Program?

3. How long do I have to successfully complete a pre-approved course?

4. What are the eligibility criteria for a mathematics bursary?

5. May I apply for more than one bursary?

6. What is the value of the mathematics bursary?

7. When are applications to the Mathematics Bursary Program due?

8. Which mathematics courses are eligible for the bursary?

9. I would like to do a course that is not on the current list. What do I do?

10. How do I apply for a mathematics bursary?

11. When do I receive the mathematics bursary payment?

12. How is the personal information in the application used?

13. Do I have to declare the amount of my mathematics bursary on my income tax?

14. What does the bursary cover?

15. Who do I contact if I have questions regarding the Mathematics Bursary Program?

16. A group of colleagues would like to take a course together. Can we do that?

17. I am a(n) administrator/guidance counsellor/Physical Education/Music teacher/IRT in a K-6 school. May I apply for the bursary?

18. Can I apply for the bursary if I am working toward my second degree or master's degree?

19. There is a course on the list and it is not being offered by the university. What should I do?

20. How can I find out if the course I'm taking can have credit toward my certification?

21. What happens if I take a course similar to one I have already completed?

 

 

 

 

 

1. What is the Mathematics Bursary Program?

The Mathematics Bursary Program provides funding for eligible current K-6 teachers and administrators to take a mathematics pedagogy course or a mathematics content course. The intent of the Mathematics Bursary Program is to build capacity among K-6 teachers and enhance mathematics pedagogy in Newfoundland and Labrador.<Back to FAQs>

 

2. What is the purpose of the Mathematics Bursary Program?

The purpose of the bursary is to strengthen teachers’ knowledge of material, and enhance their skills and confidence in teaching mathematics by facilitating access to mathematics education and professional development for K-6 teachers and administrators in Newfoundland and Labrador.  <Back to FAQs>

 

3. How long do I have to successfully complete a pre-approved course?

Applicants who receive pre-approval of a bursary will have to complete the course during the semester for which pre-approval was granted. The deadline to submit verification will be specified in the notice of pre-approval.  <Back to FAQs>

 

4. What are the eligibility criteria for a mathematics bursary?

To be eligible for a mathematics bursary, you must be:

  • a K-6 teacher or administrator (permanent, replacement or substitute) in the public school system
  • a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
  • a graduate of a B. Ed and/or M. Ed program
  • currently certified to teach in Newfoundland and Labrador. <Back to FAQs>

 

5. May I apply for more than one bursary?

Yes, applicants may apply for more than one bursary. However, you will not be awarded two (2) bursaries concurrently. A separate application form must be submitted for each bursary request. Preference will be given to first-time recipients. Please note: if for any reason you are re-taking a course for which you had previously been awarded a bursary, a second bursary will not be awarded. <Back to FAQs>

 

6. What is the value of the mathematics bursary?

Bursaries will be awarded based on a variety of criteria including, but not limited to, the method of course delivery, required travel, etc. The bursary will be awarded as follows:

  • $500 for an online course
  • $750 for a course taken on campus and a commute of less than 45 km in total is required.
  • $1000 for a course taken on campus and a commute of at least 45 km in total is required.<Back to FAQs>

 

7. When are applications to the Mathematics Bursary Program due?

 

Spring, Intercession & Summer Applications

 

 

Application process closed

 

Fall Applications

 

 

Application process closed

 

Winter Applications

 

 

Application process closed

Opens April 1st

Closes June 30th

Opens August 1st

Closes October 31st

Opens December 1st

Closes February 28th

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

 

 

 

 

 

 


<Back to FAQs>

8. Which mathematics courses are eligible for the bursary?

The list of specific courses which qualify for the bursary may be found here. The list of pre-approved courses may also be found on the Mathematics Bursary Application Form in a drop-down menu.  <Back to FAQs>

 

9. I would like to do a course that is not on the current list. What do I do?

If you are interested in participating in a course not on the current list of choices, please email the Mathematics Bursary Program Coordinator at mathbursary@gov.nl.ca with the course name and number, and the institution at which the course is offered. EDU welcomes the opportunity to add eligible courses to the list of pre-approved courses. Once a decision is made, you will be notified by email. <Back to FAQs>

 

10. How do I apply for a mathematics bursary?

(a) You will be required to complete the Mathematics Bursary Application Form.

(b) From the list of pre-approved courses, identify the course you intend to complete during the upcoming semester.

(c) You will be notified via email, if you have been pre-approved to receive a bursary. The pre-approval letter will include the instructions on the steps to take once you have successfully completed your course.

(d) Register for the course specified and complete the course within the semester indicated on your application. 

(e) When you complete the steps included in the instructions outlined in the pre-approval, a bursary payment will then be made to you.  <Back to FAQs>

 

11. When do I receive the mathematics bursary payment?

(a) In your pre-approval notice, a date for verification of course completion will be specified.

(b) Upon successful completion of the pre-approved course, you must complete and submit the Mathematics Bursary Verification Form.

(c) Submit, via email, a transcript that includes your final grade in the mathematics bursary-eligible course or an official certificate of completion. During Covid-19 restrictions, some post-secondary institutes state on their website that, at your request, they will email unofficial transcripts to third parties along with an official signed letter. Please request this through your post-secondary’s self-serve account. You will be asked to supply our mailing address, which is:

Math Bursary Program, Programs and Services Division

Department of Education 

PO Box 8700, St. John's NL  A1B 4J6

(d) Upon completion of the verification form, please forward TWO emails to mathbursary@gov.nl.ca:

  • First email - your date of birth
  • Second email - your employee number (found on your pay stub)

We are requesting your information be shared in two separate emails for your protection.

Documents must be submitted by the deadline specified in your pre-approval notice. The bursary payment will be issued within four (4) weeks of receiving the complete documentation.<Back to FAQs>

 

12. How is the personal information in the application used?

The personal information provided in the application will be used for three purposes:

(a) to determine your eligibility for a mathematics bursary,

(b) to issue a T4A tax form as required by the Canada Revenue Agency, and

(c) to contact you for program evaluation purposes.<Back to FAQs>

 

13. Do I have to declare the amount of my mathematics bursary on my income tax?

If the mathematics bursary is more than $500 you will receive a T4A from EDU. The amount is printed in Box 105 of the T4A and must be declared on your tax return.<Back to FAQs>

 

14. What does the bursary cover?

The mathematics bursary is a financial award that recipients may use at their discretion to recover course costs and related expenses for successfully completing a pre-approved bursary-eligible course. Recipients will not be asked to repay any unspent funding and additional funds are not available if the bursary does not cover all course expenses incurred.<Back to FAQs>

 

15. Who do I contact if I have questions regarding the Mathematics Bursary Program?

You can contact the Mathematics Bursary Program Coordinator at:

Email: mathbursary@gov.nl.ca 

<Back to FAQs>

 

16. A group of colleagues would like to take a course together. Can we do that?

Sure!  Each teacher must apply individually to the university which offers the course. Each teacher must also apply separately for the mathematics bursary and indicate on the application form that you are taking the course with a group. <Back to FAQs>

 

17. I am a(n) administrator/guidance counsellor/Physical Education/Music teacher/IRT in a K-6 school. May I apply for the bursary?

Absolutely! As more professionals within a school expand their mathematics knowledge, the overall mathematics capacity of the staff grows. EDU welcomes applications from administrators and teachers who work with K-6 students. <Back to FAQs>

 

18. Can I apply for the bursary if I am working toward my second degree or master's degree?

Yes, the bursary is meant to strengthen a teacher's knowledge, skills, and confidence in teaching mathematics in K-6.<Back to FAQs>

 

19. There is a course on the list and it is not being offered by the university. What should I do?

Some courses are only offered in certain semesters or times of the year. Please contact the university directly to inquire when next the course will be offered.<Back to FAQs>

 

20. How can I find out if the course I'm taking will have credit toward my certification?

You will have to contact Teacher Certification at teachercertification@gov.nl.ca and discuss your course selection with them.<Back to FAQs>

 

21. What happens if I take a course similar to one I have already completed?

If you feel it is beneficial and the course is approved under the bursary, then it is fine. If you plan to use the course for certification, you will have to contact Teacher Certification at teachercertification@gov.nl.ca to discuss it further.<Back to FAQs>