Student Financial Aid Awareness Coordinator

Chair: Deirdre O'Sullivan

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The Student Financial Aid Awareness Coordinator's mandate is to work to make information about financial aid as accessible as possible to students. The committee seeks to publish information in a comprehensive fashion as well as acting as a resource for students who have questions about what financial aid is available, where to find it, how to apply for it, and what the relevant policies and regulations exist. This committee is an excellent and accessible resource for every student.

Financial Aid Overview

Financial assistance is generally defined in two categories. Merit-based funding (i.e. scholarships) recognizes and rewards students for their outstanding academic and extra-curricular achievements.  Need-based funding (i.e. bursaries and awards) is available to students with demonstrated financial need.  Over 40% of Queen's undergraduate students are receiving student financial assistance, 70% of which is need-based.

Looking for financial aid? Start here:

1. Government Student Financial Assistance: If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident studying at university, you may qualify for federal or provincial government student financial assistance.The appropriate provincial or territorial authorities will evaluate your application and will then provide funding to supplement existing resources, based on your assessed financial need. This assistance is generally offered in the form of repayable loans, interest-free while you are a full-time student.

To find the appropriate government assistance program, click here

2. Lines of Credit: If you do not qualify for a government student loan, you may want to get a student line of credit from a bank.  While you are in school, you pay only the interest on your loan. Repayment begins when you stop full-time studies.

For information on the RBC/Queen's Student Line of Credit Program, click here

3. Queen's Bursaries: Bursaries are non-repayable grants available to students in all years of study who have a demonstrated financial need. Each year, as a registered student in either full- or part-time studies, you may apply online for a Queen's General Bursary.

For the Queen's General Bursary application form, click here

For a complete list of bursaries and awards, including those that do not fall under the General Bursary application, click here

4. Work-Study Program: The Work-Study Program is funded by Queen's University and the Government of Ontario. The objective is to provide an opportunity for students in financial need to receive priority for certain part-time jobs (generally on-campus) during their academic terms.

For the Queen's Work-Study Program application, click here

5. External Awards: There are many external awards offered through agencies and organizations committed to assisting students.

For a list of external awards resources, compiled by Queen's Student Awards Office, click here