Adult Learning & 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@pembinahills.ca, or by phoning 1-855-974-5333 x5317.
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.
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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@pembinahills.ca to discuss your options and to assist you in selecting the best course for your current skill level.
If you paid for your course yourself or it is funded through a third party, you have one year to complete a core course, six months to complete a 3- or 5-credit elective course, or three months to complete 1-credit CTS courses.
Extensions may be granted with teacher approval, upon presentation of a reasonable completion plan. There is an additional cost for course extensions.
If your course is funded through the Skills Investment Bursary (SIB), you have 20 weeks to complete your course and must finish by your Session End Date.
Find out if you qualify for funding through Alberta Works called the 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
Adult students can purchase textbooks and materials from Vista Virtual School. There are no refunds for any items purchased, except as noted below.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 gradeables submitted | Refund less $50 processing fee |
| Registration withdrawn within 45 days of enrolment date, but with more than three gradeables 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 returned beyond 45 days from the enrolment date | 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@pembinahills.ca, or give us a call at 1-855-974-5333 x5317.