The Bridge
Special Issue 2001/2002
Student Services
Financial Aid & Awards
by Brenda Brisson,
Coordinator, Client Services
Have you been thinking of applying for Financial Aid? Are you interested in working on Campus? The staff of the Financial Aid & Awards Office located in the McConnell Library Building (LB-085) on the Sir George Williams Campus would be glad to help you as a new student in answering all of your questions. The Financial Aid & Awards Office offers various forms of financial aid such as Government loans and bursaries, university undergraduate scholarships and bursaries, and on–campus work through the Work Study Program. As a first year student you may be feeling a little overwhelmed and confused about certain things and may have a lot of questions on your mind regarding the various programs offered through the Financial Aid & Awards Office. The following is a sample of frequently asked questions about Financial Aid. These questions and answers should help in putting some of your concerns into perspective.
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How many courses do I have to take to get Quebec loans and bursaries?
You must be registered as a full–time student to be eligible to receive Financial Aid. For undergraduate students, this means that you must be registered for 12 credits per semester. If you are a graduate student registered in a certificate or diploma program you must take at least 8 credits
per semester. If you are enrolled in a Master or PhD program, your full–time status is determined by the Admissions Office of the School of Graduate Studies.
What is the difference between government loans and bursaries?
“Government loans” refers to money that is to be repaid when you are no longer a full–time student. “Bursaries” is money that is given to you by the government. You do not need to repay a bursary once you have completed your studies.
How is course load percentage calculated for student aid recipients from provinces other than Quebec?
For students who are from out-of-province, course load
percentages are calculated as follows:
100% course load = 15 credits per term
80% course load = 12 credits per term
60% course load = 9 credits per term
Can I apply for Federal loans?
The Federal and Provincial governments cooperate in offering interest–free loans to eligible students. The basis of this program, Canada Student Loans, is supplemented by
the province in which you are classified as a resident. For financial aid purposes, you are considered a resident of the province where you last lived for 12 consecutive months and did not study full-time during those 12 months. The province of Quebec is an exception to the above in that the Federal and Provincial monies for student aid are combined in one program, the Quebec Loan and Bursary
Program. Quebec residents receive one loan and bursary and do not have to apply elsewhere for government aid. Residency is determined in the same manner as other
provinces unless you were born in Quebec, which automatically makes you a Quebec resident.
Can I apply for a Quebec Government bursary without getting a loan?
The application for Quebec student financial aid is for both loan and bursary. You must first be eligible to receive the maximum loan before you will be considered for a bursary. The maximum yearly amount that an undergraduate student can receive as a loan is $2460.00, and $3255.00 for a graduate student.
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When do I have to repay my government loans?
Your government student loans are interest–free as long as you are registered as a full–time student. (See question #1 for details on full-time status.) When you are no longer a
full–time student, meaning not studying at all or studying part–time, you will be required to make arrangements with your financial institution (your bank) regarding the repayment of your loan.
What is my permanent code and where do I find it?
Your permanent code appears on your Quebec secondary school or CEGEP transcript. It is made up of 4 letters followed by 8 numbers. It resembles your medicare card number but it is different. If you do not have a permanent code simply leave it blank on the application form and “L’Aide
Financière aux Etudes” will assign one to you.
Do I have to apply for scholarships?
You do not need to submit an application for the majority of the scholarships. Each year the Undergraduate Scholarships and Awards Committee awards scholarships to the most scholastically deserving students. The selection is usually done in August and students are notified in
September. There are some external scholarships available and usually for these there is an application form to be completed. However, you should consult the Financial Aid & Awards Office for further information on those particular scholarships.
What is an In–course Bursary and how do I apply for one?
An in–course bursary is a bursary offered to undergraduate students through Concordia University. This bursary is based on academic achievement as well as financial need. Students can obtain application forms from the Financial Aid & Awards Office during the fall semester and the deadline to submit the application is normally in December.
What is the Work Study Program?
The Work Study Program is a Financial Aid program designed to assist full–time students with education and living costs when their own resources have been determined as insufficient. It provides paid opportunities for part–time work at Concordia University during the academic year.
How many credits do I have to take to participate in the Work Study Program and where do I get an application form to participate in it?
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To take part in the Work Study Program, you must be registered as a full–time student, meaning a minimum of 12 credits per semester (summer undergraduate students must be registered for at least 6 credits). Disabled students with a disability recognized by the Provincial Government must be registered for 6 credits per semester. Application forms are available at the Financial Aid & Awards Office in LB-085. Please feel free to drop in and visit the Financial Aid & Awards Office for further information.
Financial Aid & Awards Office
1400 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, LB-085
848-3507 (interactive telephone number)
Hours: Monday—Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
