First Nations Adult Secondary Education Program
This program supports the implementation and expansion of secondary programming to adults on reserve.
On this page
About the program
The First Nation Adult Secondary Education (FNASE) program provides funding for the implementation and expansion of programming supporting adults on reserve in accessing, upgrading, or completing their secondary education. The FNASE is part of the Post-Secondary Education Strategy for First Nations who have identified their preference to deliver Budget 2021 adult education implementation and expansion funding through a post-secondary education mechanism.
The overall aim of the program is to support access to, upgrading, or completion of secondary education, including through the provision of resources and services that contribute to student success, in support of First Nations' diverse visions of culturally-appropriate lifelong learning and closing of the education attainment gap.
The FNASE program supports First Nations to establish, promote, or expand programming tailored to adult learners' completion or updating of their secondary education, as well as supporting community-based initiatives that encourage adult enrolment in secondary programming supported by the ISC Elementary and Secondary Education Program.
Who can apply
Eligible recipients to receive funding include the following:
- band council of recognized First Nations bands
- organizations designated by First Nations, including but not limited to:
- band councils
- bands or settlements
- tribal councils
- education organizations
- political or treaty organizations engaged by or on behalf of First Nations
- First Nations established post-secondary education institutions offering programming for the access, upgrading or completion of adult secondary education
Deadline
Contact your ISC regional office to find out when to apply for funding.
How to apply
There is no formal application process for the First Nation Adult Secondary Education Program as funding for FNASE is based on work plans, proposals and other agreed upon process and assessment criteria regionally-determined with First Nations partners. Approved funding amounts will be based on the available regional allocations.
Allocations for FNASE funding are to be determined by ISC regional offices based on support for the eligible components and activities as outlined earlier in the guidelines. To find out more, contact your regional office.
Additional details are available in the current program guidelines: First Nations Adult Secondary Education Program: National Program Guidelines 2025 to 2026.
Previous guidelines
First Nations Adult Secondary Education Program: National Program Guidelines 2024 to 2025.
To find out more, contact Indigenous Services Canada by email at education-education@sac-isc.gc.ca.