Student Learning Funds – | The Grove Open Learning

What is a Student Learning Fund (SLF)?

A Student Learning Fund, also called 3rd party funding, is an allocated amount of funds for each online student made available to support student learning. Fulltime K-9 students that are enrolled by September 30 of the calendar year will be offered access to $600 (for the school year).

What is the Student Learning Fund approval process?

British Columbia’s Ministry of Education regulations do not permit the School District to reimburse parents directly, therefore, all public schools (including Grove) are required make all Student Learning Fund-related purchases on behalf of each family/learner.

If the purchase (or service) requested meets a requirement of the individual Student Learning Plan and is not a capital cost (i.e., a desk, laptop or musical instrument) the school administrator or teacher will consider approving the purchase.

Once approved, the school district will pay the vendor (or service provider) directly.

NOTE: Parents/guardians are responsible for submitting the appropriate forms as well as an invoice for the materials or activity that is being requested in order to have it covered by a student learning fund.

Important Details:

Funds are only available for active K-9 students from mid-October until May 15
Students have access to $300 in term 1 and $300 in term 2
Term 1 funds must be used by January 15 and cannot be carried forward to term 2
All activities must connect directly to the BC Curriculum non-core subjects and must be linked to the student’s education program, as outlined in the Student Learning Plan
All activities must be pre-approved by the classroom teacher
Cowichan Valley School District must pay the vendor directly. Reimbursement will not be provided to the family.
Activities must occur during the school year (September-June)

How do I access my child’s Student Learning Fund?

To access a Student Learning Fund, we require that a parent/guardian set up an appointment with their appropriate Grove liaison teacher to review the requested activities and/or resources to ensure that they support the individual Student Learning Plan.

What can Student Learning Funds be used for?

The SLF may be used for (but not limited to):

Dance classes*
Swimming lessons*
Memberships/passes (e.g. Royal BC Museum, Science World, Raptors, Aquatic Centre)
Music lessons*
Horseback riding*
Woodworking/welding*
Gymnastics classes*
Sports registration fees (hockey, soccer, etc.)

* Registration and fees only (no equipment, materials, costumes, etc.)

The SLF may not be used for:

Internet costs
Computer/technology (tablets, computers, etc.)
Transportation costs (travel, fuel, ferry, etc.)
Books or consumable resources (workbooks, pencils, paper, etc.)
Tutoring fees in core subject areas (math, language arts, science, social studies)
Purchases that are not approved by the Ministry of Education (e.g. faith-based items)
Play-based activities not directly connected to the curriculum (e.g. Kiwi Crates, little Passports)

IMPORTANT: In general, Student Learning Funds are intended to be used for instructional purposes of the learner only.

Information for Third-Party Providers

Third-Party providers (aka Community Connections) may be utilized by families in order to support student learning. In order for Grove to submit invoices for payment for services in a prompt manner, all invoices must include these important details:

Personal name and/or business.
Complete mailing address.
Phone number.
Business Number or SIN.
Banking EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) information (or a voided cheque if the vendor prefers payment in the form of a cheque).

Information of the Services Provided :

Clearly written details about the service provided.
Duration, date, and/or period of the service provided.
Name of the student receiving the service provided.

NOTE: Third-party service provider must also, if not already done so, complete and submit a Vendor Application Form before payment can be remitted.