The next phase of the Residential School Compensation Agreement is here.

Since 2007, nearly 80,000 former students have received common experience payments.

Now, the government says recipients can apply for non-cash personal credits of up to $3,000 for themselves or family members for educational opportunities.

The credits can only be used for universities, colleges, training schools or similar programs.

This includes programs and services related to Aboriginal identity, history and language along with traditional university classes and trade schools.

Former students can expect to get forms in the mail about the program before February.

The forms need to be returned no later than Halloween of this year.

The government also stresses that the personal credits are not money, they are intended for programs and services.