from an email i received today from the bursar at the Medical University of the Americas:
The Ministry of Advanced Education, Student Services Branch recently reviewed Medical University of the Americas to be considered as a designated institution for participation in the British Columbia Student Assistance Program (BCSAP). The application has now been reviewed; unfortunately our institution does not meet all of the basic criteria for BCSAP designation at this time.
As of May 2006, MUA does not meet the federal and provincial designation requirement that medical schools located outside of North America be in operation for a minimum of ten years. MUA has been in operation for nine years.
In order to be non-punitive to students currently completing their Medical program, BCSAP will continue to fund those students to the end of their program. No new students will be eligible for BCSAP funding.
since they are continuing to fund students that have already started, and will obviously meet their required “ten years in operation” next year, it’s only the students looking for financial assistance this year that are falling through the cracks.
that includes me.
even though the student loan application packages for courses in 2007-08 don’t come out until June, i was doing a little research into the process last month. i didn’t think there would be an eligibility problem because in February, MUA was approved enough for Canadian government funding to have their own designated institution code. the application review mentioned above must have been “in process” at the time.
i’m guessing that once MUA is in operation for ten years, they will re-apply for participation eligibility in the BCSAP. i’m guessing it will once again take a little time. i’m guessing this means i likely can’t count on government funding next year either.
hrm. that sorta sucks.
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