General Discussions

Our Financial Aid and Awards team is responsible for disbursing awards, while the Alumni and Development Office coordinates and hosts the annual awards ceremony in March each year (usually in the gymnasium), which provides an opportunity for donors and recipients to connect in person. Most awards are presented at the annual ceremony - a small number of graduate awards (college-funded) are presented during convocation ceremonies, but most donor-funded awards are recognized at this event. (FAOs help with student check-ins and general assistance, and we have one award that we present at a table.)

Recipients are invited to attend and RSVP in advance through an online form, including guest info. Donors are also invited. Attendance is usually strong with most recipients participating unless they are on placement or have other unavoidable commitments.

At the event, donors who attend are assigned numbered tables at check-in, and given envelopes with the awards/certificates. Students who have received multiple awards may receive several table numbers. Recipients are encouraged to visit each donor table to introduce themselves, chat with the donor, and be formally presented with their award envelope from the donor. Our awards are given by cheque with the paper certificate, and students must attend to receive it. If a recipient is experiencing financial hardship, arrangements can be made to release the cheque in advance (depending on the award). Recipients who are unable to attend the ceremony may receive their cheque afterward, either by mail or through in-person pickup (no direct deposit or e-transfer).

 A formal presentation happens at the event, featuring a short video showcasing recipient stories and highlighting the positive impact donor support has on students’ educational journeys. A professional photographer is present, along with a backdrop where recipients, donors, and family members can take photos together.

(The Athletics Department hosts its own awards banquet to recognize student-athlete achievements. As this is a department-specific event, the Financial Aid and Awards team is not involved in its planning or administration. We assist by processing the awards and providing award cheques to Athletics for distribution. I have not attended an Athletics awards banquet, as it operates separately from the donor-funded awards ceremony coordinated by Alumni and Development. Recruitment and Alumni and Development also host events throughout the year, and our team handles the disbursements after day 10 of classes each term – either by cheque or directly onto student’s account – depending on the award).

Hi - just a quick follow up on this. So our initial message is to have students apply, and see what the assessment looks like. We're directing students with concerns to connect with an advisor to discuss. We expect to have three types of conversation: a) for students with federal funding only, there's no change; we can address any other concerns they have and assure them that next year will be comparable to last year.

b) for students with provincial funding, where they see a moderate (up to say, $3-$4k increase in provincial loan funding) - we will remind the student that it is probably still worth it for them to complete their program; we will remind the student of campus work opportunities and encourage them to find ways to save money during the school year; we will talk about the importance of avoiding course withdrawal charges, and generally just provide planning support.

c) for students with high need and a very serious increase in provincial loan funding - we will have a frank conversation about life after graduation; will discuss things like repayment assistance, adjusting repayment duration. We expect that students in year 3 or 4 will be likely to continue, but can see that some first and second year students may reconsider their choice when looking at $100,000 in repayable debt for a four year undergraduate (presuming they finish in 4). These will be tough conversations.

Anik

Does anyone have an standard wording that they are providing to students who come forward with concerns about their assessment for 26-27 compared to last year? Just wondering if you can share?

I think the policy changed in 2024-25. The 2025-26 PT OSAP manual has info on page 31: "Note: As of 2024-25, students will no longer be able to receive further part-time (federal) financial assistance (loans, grants, or in-study payment-free and interest-free status) once they complete a period of studies in which they reach/exceed their maximum of 340 weeks of financial assistance over the entire course of their post

secondary education. This maximum includes all weeks of full-time study for which a loan, grant, or interest-free or payment-free status was granted.

Part-time study does not contribute to the maximum number of weeks. However, the maximum part-time loan limit is $10,000, excluding interest. Nevertheless, students who reach the $10,000 part-time loan limit remain eligible to receive Canada Student Grants."