What Ontario college students need to know about withdrawing from this semester
It’s been a week since Ontario college students returned to classes, following a five-week faculty strike.
Ontario colleges have since reworked their semester dates in order to accommodate for time lost during the strike, which began on October 16. The strike affected close to 500,000 full-time students who are now be eligible to receive up to $500 for incremental unexpected costs from the provincial government.
Additionally, the federal government said that eligible Canada Student Grants and Loans recipients, including OSAP, will receive additional money to pay for unforeseen costs for housing, food and other living expenses in the event that their study term is extended.
But for some, it’s a little too late. And colleges have all outlined their tuition refund and withdrawal process.
The deadline for students to apply to withdraw and for tuition refund is December 5. Most colleges are recommending students discuss their options with advisors prior to applying to withdraw, stating that there is no guarantee for re-admission should they apply for the same program in future semesters.
▪️Students can withdraw from their program & receive tuition refund. Visit Student Service Centre. Deadline to withdraw extended to Tues, Dec 5.
▪️Students who wish to stay can apply for up to $500 thru support fund. Details coming soon.https://t.co/m2EUXiup6m— George Brown College (@GBCollege) November 21, 2017
“Students who withdraw as a result of the strike will not face academic penalty,” writes Sheridan College while noting that not all the courses from the fall semester are offered in the winter semester. “As a result, in some programs, students who withdraw from the fall term may need to wait until fall 2018 to resume their studies. Sheridan can also not guarantee re-admission to every student who withdraws, as spaces for winter 2018 and fall 2018 semesters have already been accepted by other students.”
Tuition refunds and withdrawals, and applications for the provincial Student Strike Relief Fund are available through each college. Students will need to provide a written explanation of why their withdrawal is related to the strike.
According to Centennial College, it will take up to four weeks to complete the withdrawal process and receive the refund.
“Having been admitted to a program and begun your studies, you have already come a long way on your learning journey. Hence, we appreciate that deciding to withdraw at this stage must not be an easy decision at all,” said Dr. Craig Stephenson, Centennial’s Vice President Student and Community Engagement.
“Make sure you have all the facts at your fingertips and then decide, one way or the other. Whatever you decide, we will be there for you. If you do choose to withdraw, we will endeavour to make the process as stress-free as possible for you.”
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