The Nominal Roll is the registry of all eligible elementary and secondary students federally funded to attend a First Nation, public, or independent (private) school. It serves as an annual student census which is used to calculate education funding for students ordinarily living on reserve.
For First Nations that have students attending public school(s), the Joint Verification Process (JVP) is an opportunity for First Nations and school districts to meet and confirm that information on the Nominal Roll is consistent with school districts’ information.
- First Nations are responsible for completing and submitting Nominal Roll to ISC.
- School districts are responsible for completing the 1701 Form and submitting the information to the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
ISC BC Region 2025-2026 Nominal Roll Instructions
The ISC BC Region 2025-2026 Nominal Roll Instructions is now available to assist First Nations in completing the Nominal Roll for submission to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). This document includes eligibility requirements and federal policies related to the inclusion of students on the Nominal Roll.
Joint Verification Process (JVP) Form
The Joint Verification Process Form is completed to confirm the First Nation and school district’s agreement on the student enrollment data values (including full-time equivalent [FTE] values) for students attending public schools in the 2025-2026 school year. As in prior school years, First Nations are asked to include the signed JVP Form with their Nominal Roll report submission to ISC.
New in the 2025-2026 school year
- The BC Tripartite Education Agreement: Supporting First Nation Student Success (BCTEA) signed by the Government of Canada, Government of British Columbia, and the First Nations Education Steering Committee has been extended to June 30, 2026 in support of renewal discussions.
- For the 2025-2026 school year, the Nominal Roll appeal period ends on January 23, 2026.
- The updated JVP Form includes a section where both First Nations and school districts can enter their initial student totals, including FTE and head count, for students enrolled in a specific school district. These figures are then reviewed and finalized together during the joint verification meeting.
- A list of commonly asked questions and answers related to the Nominal Roll and Joint Verification Process is now available under Appendix 5 of ISC BC Region 2025-26 Nominal Roll Instructions. First Nations are encouraged to refer to this information for any questions that arise while completing the Nominal Roll this year.
Key Dates
- August 14, 2025 – Education Information System (EIS) opens for Nominal Roll report data entry.
- September 29, 2025 – Nominal Roll count date.
- October 10 – Joint Verification due date.
- October 10 – Reciprocal Tuition due date for First Nations who operate an eligible First Nation school(s).
- October 15 – The Nominal Roll is due for submission.
- January 23, 2026 – Deadline for revisions to Nominal Roll.
- January 31, 2026 – Deadline for addition to grades (and programs) applications for 2026-2027.
- February 1, 2026 – Nominal Roll finalized by ISC.
NR and JVP Resources
- 2025-2026 Indigenous Services Canada BC Region 2025-26 Nominal Roll Instructions
- 2025-2026 Joint Verification Process (JVP) Form
- Indigenous Services Canada 2024/25 BC Region Program Guide – Education
Inquiries
- If you have questions related to Education Program Policy and Joint Verification Process, you may contact Indigenous Services Canada’s Education Programs Team at BCEducation@sac-isc.gc.ca.
- For questions/concerns about Nominal Roll Report Entry Support and Verification, you may contact Indigenous Services Canada’s Agreement Services Team at BCFundingservicescbservicesdefinancement@sac-isc.gc.ca