Education Voucher Application Form

Complete Your Application Online

Phases*K-12 SchoolsPost-Secondary Institutions
October 7, 2022 to January 31, 2023 (Phase 1)Remote and/or underserved, with high enrollment from low socio-economic status groups, Indigenous and/or new Canadians≤ 5,000 FTE students
February 1, 2023 to March 21, 2023 (Phase 2)All publicly funded≤10,000 FTE students
March 22, 2023 to August 31, 2023 (Phase 3)All publicly and privately fundedAll publicly funded
September 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 (Phase 4)All schoolsAll privately funded

* K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions eligible to apply in an earlier phase may continue to do so in any subsequent phase(s).

Note: K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions that are remote, underserved, with high enrollment from low socio-economic status groups, Indigenous and/or new Canadians may apply for an education voucher through January 31, 2024.

Application Guide

Introduction

In 2018, Canadian courts approved a settlement in the case of Pro-sys et al. v. Microsoft Corporation et al. The first part of the settlement was for consumers and purchasers of volume licenses, such as large businesses. Thousands of Canadian businesses and individual consumers have participated in that claims process through a settlement website URL called https://www.ThatSuiteMoney.ca/.

A portion of the remaining settlement funds is available to K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions to support students across Canada with access to new computer hardware, software, and related training. This part of the settlement will be handled through Claim’s Administrator, Epiq Class Action Services Canada Inc. (Epiq), upon recommendations from an Oversight Committee.

Some educational institutions may have received vouchers through the first stage of the settlement. These institutions may apply for and receive additional hardware and/or software vouchers through the next stage of the settlement distribution.

The voucher distribution is aimed at improving facility with devices and software and improving overall educational outcomes for students, teachers, and post-secondary faculty.

K-12 schools which are underserved and/or remote were prioritized in receiving hardware and software vouchers.

Similarly, the distribution of software vouchers to post-secondary institutions prioritized institutions under 5,000 full-time equivalent students and those located in rural and/or remote areas across Canada.

Professional Development

Both hardware and software vouchers may also be redeemed for professional development services.

Key Steps

Step 1: Complete an online Education Voucher Application Form and apply for a voucher here:

Step 2: The Oversight Committee and Epiq will review the applications.

Step 3: Get your voucher.

  • Approved K-12 schools that applied on or after March 22, 2023 will get vouchers for software only.
  • Approved post-secondary institutions get vouchers for software only.

Step 4: Purchase new hardware or software from a list of Approved Products (see below).

Step 5: Get reimbursed by submitting a redemption request and proof-of-purchase to Epiq, which will approve and then provide the reimbursement.

FAQs

1. What proof of purchase is needed?

The proof of purchase must consist of a copy of the original invoice listing the Approved Products you have purchased and a copy of the corresponding original receipt or other proof of payment for those approved products. Institutions are not required to present a technology plan to use their vouchers.

2. Does the full voucher have to be used all at once?

No. If the valid proof-of-purchase for approved products is less than the full voucher amount, Epiq, will reimburse for the purchases and issue a new voucher for the balance.

3. What’s on the list of approved products?

After March 22, 2023, K-12 schools may apply for vouchers for software only.

Post-secondary institutions may apply for vouchers for software only.

Vouchers can be used to receive reimbursement for any of these Approved Products:

K-12:

K-12 Hardware Vouchers:

K-12 Software Vouchers:

K-12 Hardware or Software Vouchers:

Post-secondary institutions:

* Microsoft may add more products to these lists.

** Hardware that runs on Apple/iOS or Google/Android operating systems and any non-PC are not eligible.

4. Can vouchers be used for professional development?

Educational institutions can use some of the voucher amount toward professional development directly related to the new hardware and/or software they are purchasing.

The following Microsoft-certified trainers are approved to provide training (remotely or in-person where possible) for K-12 schools:

  • CCI Learning (Computer Science, STEM, Microsoft Certifications);
  • Compugen Inc (Minecraft: Education Edition, Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Windows 10/11, Devices for Learning);
  • Fair Chance Learning (Azure for Faculty/Students, Computer Science, STEM, Education Transformation Framework, Microsoft Certifications, Microsoft Imagine Academy, Microsoft Learn, Minecraft: Education Edition, Office 365);
  • GRICS (Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Windows 10/11, Devices for Learning);
  • Logics Academy (Minecraft: Education Edition);
  • Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Azure for Faculty/Students, Computer Science, STEM, Education Transformation Framework, Microsoft Certifications, Microsoft Imagine Academy, Microsoft Learn, Minecraft: Education Edition, Office 365);
  • University of Calgary (Azure for Faculty/Students, Computer Science, STEM, Microsoft Certifications, Microsoft Imagine Academy, Microsoft Learn, Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams);
  • Stem Minds Corp (Computer Science, STEM, Minecraft: Education Edition); and
  • The Cobblestone Collective Ltd (Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Minecraft Education Edition, Coding and STEM, Microsoft Imagine Academy, Microsoft Curriculum, Microsoft Education Transformation Framework).

The following Microsoft-certified trainers are available to provide training (remotely or in-person where possible) for post-secondary institutions:

  • Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Azure for Faculty/Students, Computer Science, STEM, Education Transformation Framework, Microsoft Certifications, Microsoft Imagine Academy, Microsoft Learn, Minecraft: Education Edition, Office 365); and
  • University of Calgary (Azure for Faculty/Students, Computer Science, STEM, Microsoft Certifications, Microsoft Imagine Academy, Microsoft Learn, Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams).

These Microsoft-certified trainers will provide the educational institutions with an itemized invoice that the institutions can submit for reimbursement to Epiq.

For more information on trainers, visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/education/training-and-events/trainers#/trainers?country=Canada

To ensure accessibility for all students, Microsoft software includes adaptive features and functionality for those with special needs.

5. Can vouchers be used for certification exams for students?

For the post-secondary institutions, software vouchers may be used to receive reimbursement for the cost of Microsoft software certification exams for students provided by Microsoft approved resellers, such as CCI Learning, Compugen Inc., Insight, etc. These resellers will provide the educational institutions with an itemized invoice that the institutions can submit for reimbursement to Epiq.

For more information on the process, please contact Epiq, at: Education@ThatSuiteMoney.ca

6. Vouchers cannot be used:

  • to cover the cost of substitute teachers;
  • to expand and/or enhance internet and bandwidth;
  • for Apple/iOS or Google/Android hardware or software;
  • to cover the cost of product installation fees, warranties, extended care warranties, additional coverage plans, accident protection plans, insurance, maintenance, or repairs.
  • to cover purchases outside of the voucher redemption period
    • for schools who received vouchers before October 30, 2022, the voucher redemption period is June 10, 2022 to June 30, 2028; and
    • for schools who received vouchers after October 30, 2022, the voucher redemption period is June 30, 2022 to June 30, 2028.
  • vouchers cannot be sold or transferred.

7. If the educational institution received vouchers from the first stage of the settlement distribution because the institution was a volume licensee of Microsoft, can it apply for additional educational vouchers?

Some educational institutions may have received vouchers through the first part of the settlement for being volume licensees of Microsoft. They may apply and be considered for Education Vouchers.

8. If the educational institution has already received education vouchers, can it apply for additional educational vouchers?

Yes. Both K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions may apply for additional Education Vouchers. Their application will be considered, and they will receive additional Education Vouchers if their application is approved.

9. What is the redemption period for the education vouchers?

If you received an education voucher before October 30, 2022, you can use your voucher for eligible products purchased between June 10, 2022 and June 30, 2028.

If you received a voucher after October 30, 2022, you can use your voucher for eligible products purchased between June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2028.

10. Can an institution redeem eligible products that were not pre-approved before purchase?

The Claims Administrator has the discretion to approve reimbursements for Approved Products that were not pre-approved. Ineligible products will not be reimbursed.

11. Can an institution submit a list of intended purchases to the Claims Administrator for pre-approval all at once?

Yes. It is recommended that institutions submit a proposed list of intended purchases to the Claims Administrator for review before purchasing any products to be redeemed against their voucher, but it is not mandatory.

12. How can an institution submit their pre-approval request?

If you intend to purchase a product, but you are unsure if it is eligible for reimbursement, please contact the Claims Administrator at Education@ThatSuiteMoney.ca.

13. Can an institution submit more than one pre-approval request?

Yes. You may submit several pre-approval requests for products not referenced in the list of Approved Products to the Claims Administrator for review.

14. Is there a deadline for an institution to submit a pre-approval request?

Pre-approval requests for products not referenced in the list of Approved Products may be submitted to the Claims Administrator for review at Education@ThatSuiteMoney.ca. Schools who opt to submit a pre-approval request are encouraged to do so well in advance of the redemption deadline, June 30, 2028.

15. Who is responsible for completing the Application Form for K-12 Schools on behalf of the school?

The voucher application must be completed by the principal of the school. Note: If the principal is replaced by another individual, they must ensure to pass on the details of the application to their successor.

16. Who is responsible for completing the Application Form for Post-Secondary Institutions on behalf of the institution?

The voucher application must be completed by an authorized representative who oversees software license purchases for the institution. Note: If the authorized representative is replaced by another individual, they must ensure to pass on the details of the application to their successor.

Program Timeline

The settlement funds will be distributed to educational institutions in three stages.

1. Preliminary Stage

The preliminary stage was activated in the Summer of 2022. Ten million dollars was distributed to a small number of selected institutions across Canada.

They were chosen based on region, language of instruction, and populations such as students that are low socioeconomic status, Indigenous, or new Canadians:

  • $5 million was distributed to 40 K-12 schools across Canada (including 12 in Quebec).
  • $5 million was distributed to 28 post-secondary institutions.

2. Stage 1

K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions are invited to complete an application form for an Education Voucher.

Phases*K-12 SchoolsPost-Secondary Institutions
October 7, 2022 to January 31, 2023 (Phase 1)Remote and/or underserved, with high enrollment from low socio-economic status groups, Indigenous and/or new Canadians≤ 5,000 FTE students
February 1, 2023 to March 21, 2023 (Phase 2)All publicly funded≤10,000 FTE students
March 22, 2023 to August 31, 2023 (Phase 3)All publicly and privately fundedAll publicly funded
September 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 (Phase 4)All schoolsAll privately funded

* K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions eligible to apply in an earlier phase may continue to do so in any subsequent phase(s).

3. Stage 2

By July 2025, there will potentially be a further amount of settlement funds to distribute to K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions.

Further Information

For further information, please visit the settlement website at:

https://www.ThatSuiteMoney.ca/

Inquiries can be directed to the Claims Administrator:

Epiq Class Action Services Canada Inc.
P.O. Box 507 STN B
Ottawa ON K1P 5P6
Email: Education@ThatSuiteMoney.ca