1. Q: What does this program provide for paramedic students?

A: The Paramedic Tuition Bursary Program provides up to $11,500 to paramedic students who enroll in and complete an eligible paramedic training program and commit to working full time in Nova Scotia as a Primary Care Paramedic for three (3) years following graduation.

 

2. Q: Who qualifies for the Paramedic Tuition Bursary Program?

A: The following criteria must be met to qualify for the bursary:
– Students enrolled in an eligible PCP program
– Students must be eligible to gain licensure with the College of Paramedics of Nova Scotia upon completion of their academic requirement – see College of Paramedics of Nova Scotia: Home (cpns.ca)
– Students must sign a three (3) year Return of Service agreement to work within the ground ambulance service in Nova Scotia
– Nova Scotia resident (Nova Scotia health card, drivers license or other form of government issued ID)

• If a student is not yet a Nova Scotia resident but they are enrolled in an eligible full-time PCP program delivered within Nova Scotia and sign a 3 year Return of Service agreement they may qualify to receive the tuition bursary prior to having government issued ID if all other requirements are met.

 

3. Q: What “eligible paramedic training programs” qualify for this funding?

A: Any Primary Care Paramedic program offered within Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or PEI that is approved by the College of Paramedics of Nova Scotia – see College of Paramedics of Nova Scotia: Home (cpns.ca) Non-PCP paramedic training programs are NOT eligible.

 

4. Q: What do you consider full time employment? Does this mean 40 hours a week? Do I have to work in the same location?

A: A 35–40-hour work week is generally considered full time. You do not have to work in the same location or area to achieve the qualifying hours.

 

5. Q: Do current paramedic students qualify to receive the paramedic tuition bursary?

A: All eligible students who are Nova Scotia residents who are or were enrolled and participating in an eligible active Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) training program on January 1, 2023 are eligible to receive this bursary.

 

6. Q: If I commit to work as a paramedic for an employer that is not EMCI (e.g., NSHA, operator outside of Nova Scotia), do I still qualify to receive the paramedic tuition bursary?

A: No. The current Paramedic Tuition Bursary Program is designed to only support PCP students who commit to work full-time for Nova Scotia’s ground ambulance paramedic workforce operated by EMCI.
Students who want to work as paramedics for other employers within and outside of Nova Scotia will not be eligible to receive this funding or may be required to pay some or all of the bursary funding already received.

 

7. Q: I graduated from paramedic training in 2022, am I eligible for this funding?

A: No. Only students enrolled in an eligible program on or after January 1, 2023 are eligible to receive this tuition bursary.

 

8. Q: When will funding be disbursed for current students?

A: Current eligible students who have paid their tuition in full and sign a return of service agreement with EMCI will receive the incentive following the completion of the onboarding process with EMCI.
Current eligible students who not yet paid their tuition in full and sign return
of service agreement with EMCI may receive the bursary at the time of their next tuition installment.

 

9. Q: Does the tuition bursary make tuition free for paramedic training?

A: No. The initial Paramedic Tuition Bursary Program will provide up to $11,500 toward a student’s completion of an eligible paramedic training program. This amount will cover more than 50% total PCP training program costs.
Students are responsible for seeking and providing other funding resources
to cover the remainder of program costs.

 

10. Q: What are the requirements of the three (3) year ROS Agreement?

A: Students who qualify and want to receive this bursary will be required to sign a Return of Service Agreement with Emergency Medical Care, Inc.
(EMCI) committing to work full-time as a PCP in Nova Scotia for EMCI for 3 years following graduation from their eligible program.

 

11. Q: Where will I be stationed to work after I graduate?

A:You will be stationed at a mutually agreed upon (yourself and EMCI) location. This decision will be made shortly before your employment start date.

 

12. Q: Is the Return of Service (ROS) agreement with the employer (EMCI) or with the Province of Nova Scotia?

A:The ROS Agreement is with the employer.

 

13. Q: What happens if a student does not complete the 3 years of Full-Time work as required by the ROS agreement?

A: Students who do not complete the 3-year ROS agreement may be required to repay some or all of their tuition bursary. However exceptional circumstances may be considered and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.