Welcome to the McMaster University

Financial Aid & Scholarship Overview

Revised: March 7, 2011

Overview of Presentation

• Government Assistance– OSAP, Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top

Scholarships, Ontario Textbook & Technology Grant• McMaster Scholarships

– Entrance Awards• McMaster Financial Aid

– Bursaries, Work Programs• External Scholarships & Bursaries

To help students identify funding options for post-secondary education

Questions will be addressed at the end of the presentation

For more information contact:Office of Student Financial Aid & ScholarshipsMcMaster University(905) 525-9140 ext. 24319Email awards@mcmaster.ca or visit http://sfas.mcmaster.ca

Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships

We invest in student success through the delivery of government and University financial aid and scholarship programs. Student loans (e.g. OSAP), bursaries, academic grants and work programs assist students who demonstrate financial need. Scholarships are granted in recognition of a student’s academic achievement.

We’re your one-stop shop for:• Federal & Provincial Student Aid Programs• Scholarship Programs• University Bursary Programs• Work Programs• Confidential Counselling• Budgeting Strategies & Tips

OSAP Purpose/Process• What is OSAP?*

– The Ontario Student Assistance Program

– Allows students, who meet Ontario residency requirements, to access integrated Federal and Provincial student assistance

– Assists students in meeting the costs of post-secondary education

* OSAP information in this presentation is accurate at time of publication and subject to change. Students should refer to the OSAP website for

confirmation and/or clarification of any information.

OSAP Purpose/Process• How do students apply?

– Online at http://osap.gov.on.ca (It’s FREE!)

– PDF file from http://osap.gov.on.ca ($10.00 to process)

OSAP Purpose/Process• Deadlines for 2010-2011?

– By June 17, 2011 for Queen Elizabeth II (“Aiming for the Top”) consideration

– By July 15, 2011 if the student intends to use OSAP to cover McMaster tuition and fees

– No later than 90 days before the end of the study period if registering full-time in the fall/winter session (*funding is reduced the later in the study period that the

student applies)

OSAP Purpose/Process• Who is eligible to apply?

– Canadian citizens, Permanent residents and Protected persons in Canada who meet Ontario residency requirements

– Students who plan to attend full-time in 2011-2012(60% course load/40% for students with permanent disabilities)

– We recommend all eligible students apply!

OSAP Purpose/Process• How much might students expect to

receive?

– OSAP considers program costs, basic living costs, parental income and student income

– Other factors:•Number of dependants in family•Number of dependants at a post-secondary

institution•Student’s assets

– 2011-2012 maximum OSAP entitlement was $360 per week of study

OSAP Purpose/Process• Application errors? Additional

information required?

It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to:- Check application status on the OSAP website- Verify application is error-free- Submit signature pages and all supporting

documentation requests

Funding is not released until all supporting documentation is received and processed by the Financial Aid Office

OSAP Purpose/Process• How do students view entitlement?

– Students may view their entitlement online at http://osap.gov.on.ca

• How do McMaster students pick-up funding?– In person with identification noted below; details are posted late summer

on Student Financial Aid & Scholarships website at http://sfas.mcmaster.ca

– Proof of Social Insurance Number (SIN card – photocopy is acceptable, or a piece of Government of Canada official documentation such as Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment, a Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions or a Confirmation of Social Insurance Number from Service Canada)

– Validated student ID card, valid government photo ID (i.e. driver’s licence, photo health card, Canadian passport etc.-legible photocopies accepted) and personal banking information/void cheque

– The surname and given name on the student’s proof of SIN must be the surname and given name provided on the OSAP application. All identification presented must be in these names

– Students will be required to sign a “confirmation of enrolment” to verify income, address and program of study information

OSAP Purpose/Process• Can students appeal their OSAP

assessment/entitlement?– Appeals provide added flexibility provided by the

MTCU to allow students to be considered for OSAP or to increase entitlement

– Must meet conditions of specific types of appeals and supporting documentation requirements

– Students should visit their Financial Aid Offices to discuss appeals

Queen Elizabeth II “Aiming for the Top” Scholarships

• Awarded on the basis of academic excellence

• Value of scholarship based on financial need

• $100 minimum to $3500 maximum, not to exceed actual tuition/compulsory fees

• Renewable up to 4 years, student must maintain an 80% (9.5 at McMaster) average in an OSAP-defined full-course load

• Students apply to be considered through their OSAP application

OSAP “How-To” Checklist1. Apply on-line at http://osap.gov.on.ca Application now open*Apply before the deadline (June 17, 2010) for Queen Elizabeth II

Aiming for the Top Scholarship consideration

2. Forward all required signature pages and supporting documentation to the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Be sure that both you and your parent(s) have signed any pages that require a signature. Returned signature pages are required to complete the processing of your OSAP application.

OSAP funding is not issued until all required documentation is received.

3. Provide consent for parent(s) to access your file (if you wish)

4. Check Your Application StatusReturn to the OSAP website often to track the status of your

application.

OSAP Application Status OverviewAre You “OSAP-Eligible”?

• Verify the amount of your funding on the OSAP website.• Pick up funding IN-PERSON. You MUST have valid proof of SIN, a valid McMaster Student ID Card, valid Government-issued Photo ID and a void cheque and/or banking information.• Release information can be found on our website http://sfas.mcmaster.ca.• Direct OSAP to McMaster to cover tuition and fees. Remaining amounts are directed to your personal bank account.

Do you have “Outstanding Documentation”?• Follow instructions or contact the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships (SFAS) if further information is required. Return all supporting documentation to SFAS.

Are you “Not OSAP-Eligible”?• Visit the SFAS office to review your file and discuss available appeals.

Textbook & Technology Grant

Ontario’s annual Textbook and Technology Grant (TTG) helps community college and university students pay for textbooks and computer costs. It is available to full-time students who qualify for OSAP assistance. Students are automatically considered for the grant through their 2011-2012OSAP application.

The grant is valued at $150 per academic year.

For more information, please visit the OSAP website at https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/PRD003559.html

McMaster Entrance Awards• McMaster Entrance Awards are automatically granted to Level

1 students, entering University directly from a Canadian high school, who have a final admission average of 80.00% or higher to their program of study

• The final admission average for an Entrance Award is calculated using final marks of the prerequisites for the student’s chosen program of study plus the next best U or U/M courses to a total of six final grades. (See terms and conditions in the Undergraduate Calendar)

There are four levels of McMaster Entrance Awards:95% + $3,00090% - 94.99% $1,20085% - 89.99% $ 750 80% - 84.99% $ 500

McMaster Financial Aid Programs

• Bursaries

– Student must submit a bursary application

– Undergraduate bursary application is available September 15 each year

– Application process & deadlines at http://sfas.mcmaster.ca

– First priority is to assist OSAP recipients

McMaster Work Programs

• There are three Work Programs at McMaster:

•Ontario Work-Study Program – Available from September to April

•McWork Program– Available from May to August

•International Students’ Work Program– Available from September to April and May to August

McMaster Work Programs• Ontario Work-Study Program

– Government program under OSAP umbrella

– Needs-based

– Minimum 60% course load, 40% for students with disabilities

– Average 10 hours per week

– Applications available August 1st of each academic year

McMaster Work Programs• McWork (Summer) Program

– McMaster-funded program– Needs-based– Students must have been full-time, undergraduates,

and be returning to full-time academic studies the following September to complete their undergraduate degree to be considered

– Most jobs are full-time– No maximum on earnings– Applications are available starting March 1st of each

academic year

McMaster Work Programs

• International Students’ Work Program

– McMaster-funded program

– Needs-based

– Applications available online beginning March 1st for summer work and August 1st for fall/winter study

External Scholarships & Bursaries

• There are hundreds of organizations, external to McMaster, which provide scholarship and bursary funding to students continuing their post-secondary education

• For more info on external scholarship and bursary providers visit our Website:

http://sfas.mcmaster.ca/search

Thanks for your participation!

Questions & Answers…Visit Ask McMaster on our website at

http://sfas.mcmaster.ca

For the information you need NOW, visit our FACTS & FORMS FOR CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS at http://sfas.mcmaster.ca/highschool_facts_forms.ht

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Contact UsMcMaster University

Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships

1280 Main Street WestGilmour Hall, Room 120

Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8

(905) 525-9140 ext. 24319

Web: http://sfas.mcmaster.ca

Information in this presentation is subject to change. It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to verify and ensure all application requirements and deadlines are

met.