Background
The Division recognizes that independent students will have all the rights, benefits, and responsibilities of parents as outlined in the Education Act.
Definitions
An Independent Student is one who:
- is eighteen years of age or older; or
- is sixteen or seventeen years of age and living independently; or
- is sixteen years of age or older and is provided assistance from the Department of Family and Social Services to live independently of his/her parents; and
- is entitled to exercise all the rights and powers and to receive all the benefits under the Education Act with respect to himself that his parent would have otherwise been entitled to exercise or receive, and his parents shall not exercise those rights and powers or receive those benefits.
Living independently shall mean that the student contributes substantially to his own maintenance or earns his own living, and is responsible for making his own decisions with respect to his day-to-day living.
Procedures
- Students shall be accorded independent status at their school once age is confirmed by the Principal or designate of their having turned eighteen years of age.
- Students over the age of sixteen years shall be accorded independent status at their school when they:
- Present a statutory declaration of the parents and/or the student that the student is independent;
- Provide proof that the student contributes substantially to his own maintenance; and
- Are responsible for making their own decisions with respect to day-to-day living.
- Students shall be accorded independent status at their school should the student present documentation under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act verifying their independent status provided that they are over sixteen years of age.
- Independent students residing within the boundaries of the Division shall be considered resident students.