Federally Funded Students in Alberta

Enrollment of a Federally Funded Student Living on Reserve at VVS
*applies to school-aged students

Enrolling a federally-funded Indigenous student (Status Indian) who lives on a reserve into Vista Virtual School involves a specific set of rules. 

As the federal government is responsible for education on-reserve, and the provincial government is responsible for education off-reserve, the funding “follows the student” through specific agreements.

Education Service Agreement (ESA)

To enroll a school-aged student living on a reserve into Vista Virtual School, there must be a formal Education Service Agreement (ESA) in place between the School Division and the First Nation (Band Council).

• The Process: The First Nation sets up the ESA and then registers the student.
• The Requirements: The student must be a resident of the reserve and be “ordinarily resident” there on the September count date.

For more information on Education Services Agreements, please click here.

Adult Upgrading Students

Adult upgrading students can register with Vista Virtual School directly (not through an ESA).

• Age: The student must be 20 years of age or older on September 1 of the school year.
• Fees: Adult upgrading students may pay fees themselves, or VVS can invoice a third-party organization, such as a First Nation (Band Council), to cover the expenses.

For more information on Adult Upgrading, please click here.