In an effort to expedite In-Course Financial Aid applications, we are performing more online decisions without appointments. Learn more about several significant changes to our process聽so that we may best serve you and all students with financial need on a timely basis. Don鈥檛 forget to 鈥楪o back to your app鈥� frequently for important instructions and/or online decisions that will be added to your application. Students can expect updates within 2 weeks from the date of submission.
Students in or from foster care
As of August 1, 2017, the University is piloting a new Youth in/from Care Bursary Guarantee to help current and former foster youth pursue a 平特五不中 undergraduate degree.听
The program is an outcome of Caf茅 Collab, a project funded by the Student Services Innovation Fund and involving the Social Equity and Diversity Education (SEDE) Office, Student Services and the Participatory Cultures Laboratory.听 We also acknowledge 鈥檚 report 鈥淔ostering Post-Secondary Success: Support Programming for Students from Foster Care鈥�, which studied dedicated financial aid opportunities to improve the retention of current and future students from foster care.
Goals of the program
The program intends to:
- Make 平特五不中 a welcoming and accessible place for students from a range of backgrounds
- Assist with education costs for students who are living or have lived as youth in/from care in Canada
- Increase the number of current or former foster care youth enrolled in and graduating with a 平特五不中 degree
- Overcome financial barriers that make it difficult for youth in care to consider and achieve success in higher education
Award amount
A minimum guarantee per year of $5,000 OR the cost of 平特五不中 tuition, whichever is higher, for the length of an undergraduate degree, up to 4 years per recipient. This includes any 平特五不中 entrance or in-course bursary already received in a given year. In addition to this award, students with demonstrated financial need will be considered for additional aid.
Eligibility for the Youth From Care award:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be enrolled full time in an undergraduate degree program.听Exceptions are granted when students are 鈥榙eemed full-time鈥�, for example, due to a documented disability requiring academic accommodation as confirmed by when students are registered with the Student Accessibility & Achievement, or as recognized by government aid programs due to young dependent child(ren).
- Not have previously acquired an undergraduate degree
- Provide supporting documentation demonstrating involvement in a child welfare/protection system within Canada. This can be provided to the Student Accessibility and Achievement Office or with our office.
Examples include:- a letter from any Ministry of Children and Family Development equivalent, delegated agency or social worker stating you are a current or former youth in care.
- or a copy of your custody/non-care/extended/after-care agreement.
Eligibility for additional need based aid:
- In additional to the points outlined above;
- Apply for and accept the maximum available government student aid and/or Indigenous Band Support Funding. Note: We strongly encourage students to complete a government aid application by June 30 for the upcoming academic year, as this will allow us to provide 平特五不中鈥檚 bursary as early as possible.
- Demonstrate financial need by submitting an In-Course Financial Aid application using the Financial Aid/Awards menu in Minerva
Renewing the award
Students may continue to receive the award each year for the duration of their degree, to a maximum of four years by:
- maintaining good academic standing
- applying for and accepting the maximum available government student aid聽and/or Indigenous Band Support Funding for which you are eligible (preferably by June 30 for the upcoming academic year)
- submitting an In-Course Financial Aid application in Minerva聽using the Financial Aid/Awards menu
When to apply
If you are a registered student, the In-Course Financial Aid application is open from August 1 to July 31 for any given academic year. You may apply any time when the need arises.
How to apply
- Log in to and click on the following:
- Financial Aid/Awards tab
- Financial Aid Menu
- Apply for 平特五不中 Financial Aid
- Apply next to In-Course Financial Aid
- Update your Financial Aid Profile and complete the form鈥攑lease identify your youth in care status in the 鈥榮pecial circumstances鈥� section
- Submit
- Go back to your app鈥� frequently! Important instructions and/or online decisions will be added to your application. An appointment may or may not be required. Visit our important information for students applying for in-course financial aid page for more details. During this meeting, not only will you have an opportunity to discuss your budget, but you will also have your in-course application reviewed in detail. Find out how you can聽
optimize your financial aid appointment.
Supporting documentation
Scholarships and Student Aid reserves the right to verify the information provided on the application. Inconsistencies may result in a reassessment or cancellation of your award.
Decision times
The decision is posted on the Financial Aid/Awards tab on Minerva, usually within one week of your appointment. You are alerted by email once the aid is processed.
It is your responsibility to read and act upon this information in a timely fashion. Awardees are encouraged to pay special attention to the email as it contains important information about the award.
Payment methods
Payment methods are determined by the Financial Aid Counsellor and are based on the applicant鈥檚 financial situation. Accordingly, award payments may be disbursed:
- to a student鈥檚 fee account in one sum or divided up by semester
- to the student by聽direct deposit* to assist with living expenses
- as a payment towards a 平特五不中 student loan
*Students must set up Direct Deposit Banking with a聽颁补苍补诲颈补苍听banking institution via聽.听Please ensure all banking information is entered correctly. Student Accounts聽will issue an聽administrative fine聽for transactions returned to the University due to faulty banking information.
Other financial aid services
Scholarships and Student Aid also offers these aid-related services:
- Tuition Payment Deferrals: defer your tuition fee payment without interest or penalty鈥攗seful for government aid recipients experiencing delays in transferring funds
- Government student aid programs: information and administration
- Work Study Program: on-campus job opportunities for full-time degree students in financial need
- Emergency loans: for unforeseen circumstances
- Frugal Scholar Money Management Program: financial planning and debt management