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To be considered for In-Course Financial Aid, you must:

• be currently enrolled in a full-time degree program at the University. Exceptions are granted when students are ‘deemed full-time’, for example, due to a documented disability requiring academic accommodation as confirmed by the Student Accessibility & Achievement, or as recognized by government aid programs due to young dependent child(ren).
• apply for and accept the maximum available government student aid and/or Indigenous Band Support Funding for which they are eligible
• be in satisfactory academic standing
• demonstrate financial need

First-year international students are generally not eligible for need-based aid from ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ. To obtain authorization to study in Canada, first-year International students must be able to demonstrate the financial capacity to do so.

Special, Visiting, Qualifying, Continuing Studies, Diploma, Certificate, ²¹²Ô»åÌýPrivate Program students (i.e. Master of Management, and Master of Business Administration) and Medical residents are also generally not eligible for aid from our office.

Master of Public Policy students can apply for In-Course Financial Aid any day of their academic year for modest, interest-free loans while in full-time studies on the basis of demonstrated financial need.

Changing course load

Reducing your course load by withdrawing from studies or dropping a course(s) may result in a reassessment or cancellation of an award. We strongly advise consulting with our office before making these decisions.

The application becomes available in August for the academic year starting in September.

You may apply for In-Course Financial Aid as the need arises at any time during the academic year.

First, apply through :

1. Go to the application form by clicking on the following:
   1. Financial Aid/Awards tab
   2. Financial Aid Menu
   3. Apply for ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Financial Aid
   4. Apply for In-Course Financial Aid
   5. Update your financial aid profile
2. Complete the form
3. Submit your application

‘Go back to your app’ 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.

Students who are living/have lived under youth in care in Canada: you may be eligible for the Youth in Care Bursary Guarantee. You will need to identify your youth in care status on your in-course aid application and provide supporting documentation. Find out more about how to apply.

Students with a disability: if you require help completing online applications, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Scholarships and Student Aid office reserves the right to verify the information provided on your application. Inconsistencies may result in a reassessment or cancellation of your award.

You will find out about the outcome of your application usually within 2 weeks (to 3 weeks during peak periods) of your appointment with a Financial Aid Counsellor. The decision is posted on the Financial Aid/Awards tab on Minerva and, if your application is successful, it is followed by an email.

This email will contain important information about your award—including what you need to do to accept it and any deadlines. Make sure you carefully read and follow the instructions in this email, otherwise you may miss out on your award!

The value of awards depends on the level of funding available each year, the number of applicants and the relative need of other candidates.

Awards may be offered as a loan or a bursary—a bursary you get to keep, while a loan you have to pay back. The type of award is determined by the Financial Aid Counsellor.

Payment methods are determined by the Financial Aid Counsellor and are based on the applicant’s financial situation.

Award payments may be disbursed:

• to your fee account in one sum or divided up by term
• to your bank account by direct deposit
• as a payment towards a ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ student loan

Direct deposit

If the award is being paid to your bank account, you must set up Direct Deposit Banking with a Canadian banking institution via .

Once logged in:

• Go to the Student Menu
• Click on the Student Accounts menu option
• Click on the Direct Deposit Bank Account menu option
• Fill in all required information
• Click on Submit

Please ensure all banking information is entered correctly. ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Student Accounts will issue an administrative fine for transactions returned to the University due to faulty banking information.

Your financial aid assessment may result in the granting of a ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ loan (repayable award). These loans are interest-free until the due date specified in the loan contract. Once a loan is due, it is subject to low-rate interest charges comparable to those of government student loans. Be sure to review the eligibility requirements as outlined above.

Loan Extensions

If you are unable to repay a ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ loan by the due date you may request a loan extension provided you still meet the eligibility requirements.

A loan extension is offered as a new loan contract with a new due date. It will pay off your old loan, so the amount you owe will remain the same and you avoid interest charges on the old loan.

Loan extensions may be granted without meeting a Financial Aid Counsellor.

To apply for a loan extension, log in to :

1. Go to the application form by clicking on the following
   1. Financial Aid/Awards tab
   2. Financial Aid Menu
   3. Apply for ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Loan Extension
   4. Update your financial aid profile
2. Complete the form
3. Submit your application

It is recommended that you apply 30 to 60 days before your loan is due. Example: if a loan is due August 31, you should apply after July 1 but no later than August 30.

Repayments

Student Accounts provides detailed information on how to repay a ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ loan.

TIP: Be sure to check out their handy Student Loan Calculator to calculate your repayment amounts!

Students who submit an In-Course Financial Aid application are automatically considered for the SSMU Access Bursary.

The Student Society of ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ (SSMU) created the SSMU Access Bursary Fund through a student referendum held in 1999 to provide bursaries for undergraduate students in financial need.

With matching funds from the University, this is one of the most significant bursary funds offered by the University and is a wonderful example of students helping students. Scholarships and Student Aid is pleased to administer this bursary program in collaboration with SSMU.

If awarded this bursary, you will be notified upon disbursement of funds.