Adult Learning and Frequently Asked Questions
Vista Virtual School students can work at any time, and in any place. This means that you, as an adult student, will have the flexibility to get the education you deserve!
We help students of all ages achieve success in their academic careers. Registering with Vista Virtual School gives you access to a variety of courses to complete your high school diploma, improve your high school marks, learn a new skill, or fulfill post-secondary requirements.
If you have questions or difficulties filling out our registration form, please contact Vista Virtual School Support via email at vvsadults@phrd.ab.ca, or by phoning 1-855-974-5333 Ext. 5317.
Ready to register? Click here!
Below are Frequently Asked Questions for adult learners, including Skills Investment Bursary (SIB) information. Additional common questions (and answers) are found under Student & Parent Info in our Common Questions section.
To register with Vista Virtual School, you must be:
- A resident of Alberta. (Though you may temporarily reside elsewhere.); and
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
You will need to provide official documentation proving your citizenship upon registration. This might include your Canadian birth certificate, passport, citizenship card, or landed immigrant card. You may also be asked to provide documentation proving your Alberta residency.
Alberta Education defines an adult student as any student who is 20 years of age or older on September 1, of the current school year.
Vista Virtual School courses are accessed online, with students working through content and assignments on their own schedule—it is a very independent way of learning, with teachers available by phone or email during regular school hours to answer specific questions about the course content.
Teachers are very happy to answer your questions, and may have additional videos or other resources to help you understand the course content; however, we do not undertake individual instruction or tutorials with students.
Yes, you can register to upgrade with Vista Virtual School as long as you are now a resident of Alberta. In your registration application, please upload a copy of your high school transcript and/or applicable post-secondary marks for review by our Academic Counselors.
It is also helpful for you to create an Alberta Student Number (ASN) and include it in your registration. Any course you complete with Vista Virtual School will be reported on your Alberta high school transcript.
As an adult student, you do not require prerequisite courses, but you need to demonstrate that you have the prerequisite skills. Especially if you have completed upgrading in a college program or a high school outside of Alberta. All transcripts from your academic work should be included with your registration.
You may be asked to show your prerequisite skills through a placement exercise. By placing you in the best course for your skill level as demonstrated through a placement exercise, we are better able to help you succeed in your course.
If you do not have the recommended prerequisite for a course, please contact our Academic Counselors at vvsadults@phrd.ab.ca to discuss your options and to assist you in selecting the best course for your current skill level.
Adult students upgrading by distance education may be eligible for the Alberta Works Skills Investment Bursary (SIB). The Skills Investment Bursary is administered by the Alberta Students Finance Board and Alberta Human Services. A key goal of this program is to increase opportunities for Albertans to gain the knowledge and skills needed to obtain sustainable employment, increase their incomes, and reduce the need for government support.
- Eligible students may receive up to $5,000 per year and, as this is a bursary not a loan—you do not pay it back.
- Applications can take 8-12 weeks for approval through Alberta Works and students cannot start the course(s) until the funding is received by Vista Virtual School (i.e., the Session Start Date).
- Students are only allowed to enrol in one SIB-funded course at a time; however, students can apply for two courses with consecutive session dates on one SIB Application.
- Students are given 20 weeks to complete the course(s) and must submit assignments according to a set timeline. Please review the Attendance Practice for Alberta Works Funded Students.
More information can be accessed on the Alberta Human Services website.
Skills Investment Bursary (SIB) Application Instructions:
- Register online with Vista Virtual School:
- Answer Yes to Are you applying for financial assistance through the Skills Investment Bursary with Alberta Works?
- Once your registration is confirmed, Vista Virtual School will email you the information you require to complete your SIB Application Form.
- Note: You can only be enrolled in one SIB-funded course at a time; however, you can apply for two courses with consecutive session dates on one SIB Application. If you are applying for more than one course, you will be asked to specify which course you wish to start with.
- Complete the SIB Application form and email it to vvsupport@phrd.ab.ca.
- You can download the Skills Investment Bursary Application via the Alberta Works website. We recommend you complete the PDF Application (Skills Investment Bursary Application for Part-Time Study (EMP5571).
- Vista Virtual School will complete the Training Provider Information (TPI) form and email it you. You will be required to print the TPI form to add to your SIB Application.
- Submit your bursary application to the Learner Income Support Office (LISO). This can be done by either:
- Mailing the application and supporting documents to:
Learner Income Support Office
Box 17000, Station Main
Edmonton, AB T5J 4R4; or - Applying online Note: If you apply online, you will be required to print and mail the signed Declaration and Acknowledgement Form (from the My Applications page of your myAlbertaSupports account), along with your Training Provider Information form.
- Note: You need to submit your completed SIB Application to LISO as soon as possible, to ensure funding is received in time for your session start date.
- Mailing the application and supporting documents to:
- Await a decision. Alberta Works will review your application and notify you of its decision. This review may take up to 12 weeks. Once you have been approved for funding, you will receive a Funding Decision letter from Alberta Works
- Email a copy of this letter to vvsupport@phrd.ab.ca.
- After you are approved for funding, Vista Virtual School will enrol you in your course(s) on your approved session start date, and ship your required course materials.
Skills Investment Bursary (SIB) Session Dates
To inquire about the status of your SIB Application, please contact the Learner Income Support Office (LISO).
Students funded through the Part-Time Skills Investment Bursary (SIB) through Alberta Works
must meet Alberta Human Services’ minimum policy requirements for attendance. In order to
meet attendance requirements in a distance learning environment, Alberta Works funded
students are expected to complete and submit coursework on a regular basis in order to
indicate attendance.
Vista Virtual School (VVS) students funded through Alberta Works are expected to complete
courses within 20 weeks. In order to indicate attendance, work must be submitted in each
course each week. Timelines for assignment submission will be provided upon enrollment;
students are expected to adhere to their timeline. Medical documentation is required to
substantiate missed deadlines.
To keep students informed, VVS will provide a progress report to funded adult students each
week to show their work to date in a course.
If a student falls behind in expected submission of their coursework, disciplinary actions will be
taken according to the following schedule:
- 20% behind expected course completion – 1st warning
- 30% behind expected course completion – 2nd warning
- 40% behind expected course completion – Expulsion from the course and SIB program.
If a student is withdrawn from a course due to lack of progress, they will be required to re-apply
to Alberta Works for re-enrollment.
To help mitigate the risk of students being withdrawn from courses, all funded adult students will be
advised of and must agree to the Attendance Policy for Funded Adult Students prior to being
accepted to a VVS course.
Reference:
Alberta Works Attendance Policy Requirements
Alberta Works Part-Time Training (Skills Investment Bursary)
If a third party (WCB, Band, etc.) is paying for your course, please register online and answer Yes to Will a third party be paying for this registration?, Vista Virtual School will email you an authorization of payment letter for you to forward to your third party contact. Some third parties have accounts that Vista Virtual School can invoice, while others will need to send us the funding by cheque or credit card. Once the third party authorization and funding is received, we will enrol you in your course(s).
As an adult student, Vista Virtual School provides you the option to purchase textbooks and materials directly through us. If you choose this option, the cost of textbooks may be less than other sources because the cost is averaged out between used and new textbooks; but as such, you may receive a used textbook in reusable condition. You can choose to purchase textbooks and other materials from any available source.
Please note: there are no refunds for any adult textbook or materials purchased through Vista Virtual School. See the Refund Policy for more information.
Refunds for Adult Students |
|
|---|---|
| Registration Fees | |
| Application declined by VVS | Full refund |
| Application cancelled at student’s request before the registration is processed and any course materials are shipped | Full refund |
| Registration withdrawn within 45 days of enrolment date with zero to three lessons or assignments submitted | Refund less $50 processing fee |
| Registration withdrawn within 45 days of enrolment date, but with more than three lessons or assignments submitted (to a maximum of five lessons or assignments) | Refund less 50% of registration fee |
| Registration withdrawn after 45 days of enrolment | No refund |
| Required Instructional Materials | |
| Application declined by VVS | Full refund |
| Application cancelled at student’s request before the registration is processed and any course materials are shipped | Full refund |
| Textbooks and materials (unused and in resealable condition) returned after registration cancelled or withdrawn within 45 days of enrolment | Refund less 10% restocking fee |
| Textbooks (if registration is not withdrawn within 45 days enrolment) | No refund for adult students |
For more information, see our Policies & Procedures section or our Common Questions section; you can also contact us at vvsadults@phrd.ab.ca, or give us a call at 1-855-974-5333 Ext. 5317.