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Tag: tuition

  • Covering the Cost of University

    Covering the Cost of University

    University tuition is a huge expense that leaves many students deep in debt by the time they graduate – especially if they choose to live on their own, either in residence or near campus. Income from summer jobs is difficult to stretch out through the school year. That’s why many students work part-time on or near campus to offset the costs of school.

    But even before you begin to peruse employment options, don’t forget to apply for as many scholarships and bursaries you can find for which you are eligible. Search your school’s website for scholarship and bursary information and ask someone at the finance offices for advice. There is often more money available to students through these awards than there are students who apply for them. So don’t let competition dissuade you from applying. You have nothing to lose and money to gain! (Remember that the most important thing to do with any application for scholarships and bursaries is to have someone edit your work before you submit it).

    On-campus jobs provide another fantastic source of income to help you pay for the school year. There are a lot more options for work than you might think! Some students with disabilities, for instance, require extra assistance reading journal articles or writing down their thoughts. Look for a resource centre on your campus and ask if you could be hired to help out. The work, which is government-funded, pays relatively well. Check out your university’s administration offices to see what else may be available and ask all of your professors what they recommend.

    Off-campus jobs are another alternative means to acquire income as you go to school, but there are things to consider before you apply:

    1. How long will it take me to get to and from the job?
    2. Will my boss allow flexibility so that I can prioritize my schoolwork?
    3. Does what I learn at the job compliment my degree?
    4. Can I get something from the job for free that I would otherwise have to pay for, like a gym membership, food or clothes?
    5. Will I be able to manage my time effectively enough to juggle a job and school?

    It may be a good idea to settle into your classes and develop a homework and study routine before you seek employment. Prioritize your goals and decide how much time you need to commit to your education compared how much time you need to spend earning money.

  • Are Scholarships Just for Brainiacs?

    Are Scholarships Just for Brainiacs?

    You often hear about all of the scholarships received by the students who are at the top of the class or all-stars on their team. Entrance scholarships, academic excellence scholarships, and Dean’s list/Honour Roll Awards are prevalent in conversations surrounding student awards. What many post-secondary applicants do not know is that there are a numerous awards available for the average student. There are awards that recognize skills and accomplishments beyond athletics and academics. Examples of these include scholarships based on financial need, volunteer work or extra-curricular activities. Just because you do not consider yourself a “brainiac” does not mean there are not grants and scholarships out there for you!

    You should always start your scholarship search with the college or university you plan on attending. The financial aid office or the school’s Awards and Financial Aid website are good places to start looking for internal scholarships. While you are searching for scholarships, consider looking into bursary opportunities as well. Applying for many of these scholarships and bursaries is as simple as filling out an application form and submitting it to your financial aid office (in-person or online). However, some applications require more time and thought. For example, some may ask you to provide references, a writing sample, or a letter explaining why you are a great candidate for this scholarship/bursary. Many students are not willing to put in the extra effort to apply to these scholarships, but if you are willing to put in the time it could greatly pay off.

    In addition to scholarships through your school, be sure to research scholarships within your community and/or through your parents’ or guardians’ workplaces. Many community organizations or clubs in your area may have scholarships that go unadvertised and you did not even know about. For example, 4-H Ontario has a webpage designated to grants and scholarships available for 4-H members and the general public, so check out your local associations’ websites or talk to someone you know within the club. Many workplaces also offer grants or scholarships to children of their employees. Just ask your parent or guardian to check their newsletter or their company’s website to see if there may be scholarships available to assist you with paying for your education. Every little bit helps!

    After you look at your internal school scholarships and community clubs and organizations, consider looking into more general scholarship websites. Some scholarship websites offer a wide variety of general scholarships from private donors looking to make a difference. Websites such as studentawards.com provide many different scholarship opportunities relevant to your interests, program or location. It is important to remember that the more time and effort you are willing to put into the application, the easier it will be for the donor to get to know you as a person – not just an applicant. There is a scholarship somewhere suited to you, even if you are not a brainiac. Talk to your guidance counsellor or financial aid office for more specific information about scholarships.

  • Scholarships for Aboriginal Students

    Scholarships for Aboriginal Students

    Bursaries and Scholarships
    The Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada is dedicated to helping Aboriginals reach the highest standard of excellence in finance and management. AFOA’s initiatives in the development of Awards and Scholarships are examples of that commitment.

    See link below for scholarships and bursaries.
    http://www.metisnation.org/programs/education–training/education/bursaries–scholarships

  • April Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    April Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    With April upon us, your applications for college and university have officially been sent off. In some cases, you may have even already heard that you’ve been accepted (congratulations!). Now it’s time to sort out your financials. While student loans are a great option, free money from scholarships and bursaries are a worry-free way to fund your education without having to worry about debt. Take the time to apply for a few – you’ll be glad you did! Here are the latest scholarships that JobsPeopleDo.com found for the month of April and beyond:

    1. AIA and the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Program – Open to students enrolled full-time in a college-level, university or an accredited automotive technical program in Canada. Amount: $1000. Deadline: June 15, 2014.

    2. Alberta Arborists Annual Scholarship – Open to students pursuing higher education with an emphasis in natural or applied sciences. Amount: $1000. Deadline: July 30, 2014.

    3. Output Links Communications Group Scholarship – open to students across Canada who MUST be nominated by an employee of one of the companies that sponsors OutputLink’ Communication Group’s services. Amount: $2500. Deadline: May 1, 2014.

    4. Society for the History of Discoveries Essay Contest – Open to students across Canada who submit an original essay of approximately 6,000 words. Amount: $600. Deadline: May 15, 2014.

    5. Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarship – Open to students from rural communities who are pursuing higher education. Amount: $1500. Deadline: May 15, 2014.

    6. Workers Health & Safety Centre Scholarships – Open to residents of Ontario who submit a 600-1,000 word essay, poster or video on “How would you raise the profile of workplace health and safety among young and new workers in your community?”. Amount: $1200. Deadline: June 13, 2014.

    7. Excellence Award for Agricultural Students – Open to students across Canada enrolled in an agricultural program who submit a 3-5 minute video on: What key skills has your educational institution taught you about farm management that will be most useful in your career? Please explain why these are important?. Amount: $1000. Deadline: May 9, 2014.

  • Living Without a Salary – and Student Loans

    Living Without a Salary – and Student Loans

    Today my grandmother gave me a thick book entitled “How to Survive Without a Salary” by Charles Long.  The truth is that I’m employed, both as a writer and a barista at a coffee shop. With a career as a student and jobs that pivot around an education’s schedule, it’s pretty much impossible to predict long term income or complete financial stability anyway. My grandmother knows that despite the state of a person’s finances, tips on how to adopt what Long calls the “conserver lifestyle” are always good to consider.

    So let’s consider them. Long defines the term conserver lifestyle as “a means of coping better with what (one) already has.” Chapter one of his novel deals with internal factors preventing you from finding success in that regard. Chapter two is ‘Assessing Yourself: Making a Budget,’ which is definitely worth a look. You never want to be spending more than your wallet can handle, especially when, as students, there are some costs that can’t be evaded.

    According to Statistics Canada, Canadian student tuition fees alone averaged $5,777 in 2008-09, with Quebec’s $2,488 average the lowest and Ontario the highest at $8,797. But there are also “ancillary fees,” those compulsory extra charges over and above tuition to cover things like athletic programs, health services and student associations. These fees added an average of $695 more to the demands on a full-time Canadian undergrad in 2008-09, ranging from a low of $423 in New Brunswick to a high of $827 in Nova Scotia. Ancillary fees are usually unregulated, but you can often look into them on school websites and find opportunities to opt out of what you don’t need.

    We can all survive without a salary while we are students if we keep watch on costs and budget ourselves accordingly. Long claims that, “Costs are always more important than earnings – there is nearly always more advantage in reducing costs than in increasing earnings.”

    In order to be able to sustain yourself while you get an education with an unstable salary and all of these subsidiary costs to student life, several banks like RBC and TD Canada Trust have places for you to create your own budget lists on their websites. At the time the book was written, without widespread use of the Internet it was a bit tougher to budget. Today many student budget list templates can be found online as well. The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada’s student budget section is a good resource, at http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/bsf-osb.nsf/eng/br01399.html.

    After the section on budgeting, Long gives eleven more chapters of detailed analyses on financial strategies, many of them useful. He says, “A penny saved is not a penny earned. A penny saved is a hell of a lot more than a penny earned today.” We know that simply by keeping our savings in the bank, they grow with interest. That can apply to scholarship money or bursaries that may be extractable for personal holding (OSAP, for example).

    Chapter six, on ‘The Second-Hand Market’, is my personal favourite, advocating the benefits of getting everything and anything used or pre-owned. Shopping in thrift stores doesn’t only help your wallet, but choosing to reuse can help our planet, too.

    I’m glad to have been given this book, and I’m now prepared to become more money-conscious. With sky high tuition costs and the absence of established careers at this point in our lives, it’s smart to consider advice from anyone.

    And where did my grandmother find this yellowing treasure? At Value Village, naturally.

  • What Is the Canada Student Loans Program?

    What Is the Canada Student Loans Program?

    The Canada Student Loans Program provides financial assistance in the form of loans and grants to post-secondary students who demonstrate financial need.

    Application Information
    – Students must first apply for a provincial or territorial student loan. Students are automatically considered for a Canada Student Loan when they apply for a provincial or territorial student loan.
    – Loan application forms are available from provincial and territorial student assistance offices and at financial aid offices in educational institutions.
    – Students must apply every year in order to receive funding.

    Important Information
    – Students must give loan providers proof of enrolment within six months of finishing their last study period in order to maintain interest-free status while studying. Confirmation of Enrolment forms are issued by educational institutions.
    – The governments of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Quebec do not participate in the Canada Student Loans Program but offer their own financial assistance programs for students.

    Student Loans
    Government student loans are a great way to help you pay for your post-secondary education at a designated college, university or other post-secondary institution.

    The Government of Canada and most provincial or territorial governments work together to deliver federal and provincial student loan and grant programs. This makes things simpler for you.

    – In Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Canada and the provincial governments work together to provide financial assistance through Integrated Student Loans.
    – In Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada Student Loans and Grants are available alongside provincial or territorial student financial assistance.
    – In Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Quebec, Canada Student Loans are not available. These jurisdictions have their own student loan programs.
    – In Yukon, only Canada Student Loans and territorial Grants are available to permanent residents of the Yukon.

  • Aboriginal Students: Scholarships and Bursaries

    Aboriginal Students: Scholarships and Bursaries

    Bursaries and Scholarships
    The Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada is dedicated to helping Aboriginals reach the highest standard of excellence in finance and management. AFOA’s initiatives in the development of Awards and Scholarships are examples of that commitment.

    See link below for scholarships and bursaries.
    http://www.metisnation.org/programs/education–training/education/bursaries–scholarships

  • March Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    March Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    March is here and that means exams are, too. Why not take some time between studying to ensure you can get some free money secured for your first year of college or university in the fall? You’ll be glad you did! Check out the latest scholarships and bursaries we’ve found for this month.

    1. OutputLinks Communications Group Sponsors Scholarships – Open to all students who are nominated by an employee of one of the companies that sponsor OutputLink Communication Group’s services. Amount: 3 prizes of $2000 (USD). Deadline: May 1, 2014.

    2.  Society for the History of Discoveries Essay Contest – Open to all students who submit an essay (no more than 6000 words) on the topic of the history of discoveries, such as voyages, travels or cartography. Amount: $600. Deadline: May 15, 2014.

    3. Progressive Economics Forum Essay Contest – Open to Canadian students enrolled in post-secondary education who submit an essay based on political economics or economic theories. Amount: $1000. Deadline: May 5, 2014.

    4. Workers Health and Safety Centre Scholarships – Open to residents of Ontario beginning their first year of college or university in the fall of 2014. Must submit 600-1000 word essay on the subject of health and safety in the workplace. Amount: $1200. Deadline: June 13, 2014.

    5. Scotiabank Sikh Foundation Scholarship – Open to Canadian students who are entering their first year of college or university in the fall of 2014. Amount: $5000. Deadline: March 20, 2014.

    6. Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest – Open to students in high school, undergraduate and graduate programs who submit an essay on the topic of capitalism. Amount: $1500, $1000 and $500 at each education level. Deadline: May 30, 2014.

    7. SOS Children’s Safety Scholarship – Open to Canadian students who submit an essay based on preventing social issues like bullying. Amount: $5000. Deadline: July 31, 2014.

  • What Is the Student Loans Process?

    What Is the Student Loans Process?

    As an Ontario resident, you have two different types of student loans you can apply for. The first is federally mandated (Canada Student Loan) and the second is from the provincial government itself (Ontario Student Assistance Program – OSAP). You can also apply for both at the same time using the Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan program, which is accessed via the National Student Loans Service Centre.

    Sounds good – but where do I go to apply?

    The best way to apply is online via the OSAP website. You will need to register to use the site by providing some personal information, including your social insurance number.

     https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPSecurityWeb/public/login.xhtml?lang=en

     I’ve registered – now what?

    Gather information about your financial situation. You will be asked to provide an overview of your expenses for the school year (rent, utilities, food, etc.). The more information you can provide the better. You will be asked to print out and sign a declaration indicating that the information you have provided is true and accurate. If a parent or guardian will be helping you out financially during the school year, this information needs to be included on your application and they will need to sign their own separate declaration form.

    How much money will I get?

    The amount you get will depend on your unique financial situation. This is why it is important to provide as much information as possible during the application process. The maximum amount you can receive per week is $210 from the Canada student loan portion and $150 per week for the Ontario portion. It is important to note that you will not be given money weekly – it will be paid out to you in a lump sum at the beginning of your semester. This means budgeting is extremely important!

    When can I apply?

    If you are going to be attending school in September 2012, you can apply as early as May 2012. The latest you can apply is 90 days before the end of your study period. It is recommend to apply as soon as you are able to prevent any delays in receiving your funding.

    My application was accepted – when do I get my loan?

    Shortly before the academic year commences, you will be either sent a cheque or a funding certificate. Most students will receive a funding certificate. This certificate is a legal form that authorizes the release of a loan to the student via the National Student Loans Service Centre. This certificate must be taken to a designated Canada Post outlet to be converted into your student loan (you can find a designated outlet by visiting the following link: http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/onlinetools/canadapost/cp_clf/on.shtml)

    You will need to provide a void cheque with your funding certificate so the funds can be electronically deposited into your bank account. You can arrange to have a cheque mailed to you if you prefer.

    Your student loan will then be dispersed to you twice – the first at the beginning of your studies in September (generally, 60% of your total loan amount) and the second at the beginning of January.

    You can always get help and more information by visiting the OSAP website directly. The following link will help you get the answers to the majority of your questions:

    https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/PostsecondaryEducation/OSAP/GettingOSAP/HowtoApply/OSAP004031.html

    Good luck and happy studying!

     

  • Tips on Student Finances

    Tips on Student Finances

    1. Start planning your finances early. Figure out how much money you’ll need as soon as possible (tuition, ancillary fees, books and supplies, living expenses) so you’ll know how much financial support you’ll need. Include a realistic monthly budget for transportation, laundry, groceries, toiletries, entertainment, rent, etc.

    2. Use free money first if you have access to it (money from parents, money saved for your education including RESPs, scholarships and bursaries, etc.). If you need to borrow money, use low interest or no-interest options first, with OSAP being the best example. If you need to borrow money on top of that, try and get a cheap student loan. Stay away from credit cards if you can.

    3. Check out the OSAP Access Window at http://osap.gov.on.ca. The OSAP Access Window was developed by the Ontario government to help students make informed decisions when planning for their post-secondary education. It provides approximate costs by post-secondary institution, OSAP funding estimators, repayment tools and lots of other useful information.

    4. Explore early the scholarships, awards and bursaries offered by the university. There may be some program-specific or special interest awards that you may be eligible for. Many scholarships, awards and bursaries have deadlines and require applications.

    5. Don’t miss an application deadline. Include deadlines for financial support applications in your calendar and make sure you apply in time to be considered.

    6. Investigate getting a job as a source of income. If you need to work, work as much as possible in the summer period, rather than during the school year. If you need to work during the school year, try to avoid working a great deal in your first semester or in any semester that you expect to be particularly challenging. If you expect to be pressed for cash, consider postponing your studies for a year and saving some money, or consider reducing your course load from five or six courses to three or four courses per semester.

    7. Look into various means of saving money:
    • Brown bag it. Packing your own lunch is cheaper and healthier.
    • Buy new to you. Whether it’s used books, secondhand clothing or garage sale furniture, you can find what you need at a fraction of the cost.
    • Shop online to browse, create budgets, compare prices and take advantage of online savings.
    • Take advantage of student discounts. Be sure to flash your student ID at entertainment venues, on public transportation and anywhere else that will take it. Check out special deals through your student union.
    • Pick up the free weeklies to see what entertainment is going on in the city for free. Also check out free events hosted by the university.
    •Maximize public and active transportation (walking, cycling) to keep commuting costs down.
    • Avoid the latte effect and buy a coffeemaker or a kettle to make your own.

    8. Resist the temptation to sign up for a student credit card. If you end up falling into the “this-is-my-only-credit-card” crowd, make sure you get one with a low interest rate and ask them to fix the credit level at $500. Then be sure to use it only for emergencies. When credit cards are the only accepted methods of payment, as in online transactions, save the money you will need before you make the purchase. Then pay off your credit card immediately after charging it.

    9. A line of credit typically has a much lower interest rate than credit cards. A line of credit can be a cost-effective, convenient way to borrow money for a short period of time. Most financial institutions have a student line of credit that offers a lower interest rate, no annual fee and fairly lenient terms and conditions.

    10. Monitor your expenses. Keep all your receipts and track your expenses. This will force you to write down how much you’re spending, prompting you to think about whether you really need to spend that money or not. This will also definitely let you know if you need to change your spending habits and/or increase your income before it’s too late.

    11. If you find you’re running into financial difficulties, immediately speak to a student financial assistance advisor on campus or at your bank. They will look at your budget and give you some good advice before you get in over your head.