What you need to know about OSAP (Ontario Students)

Posted: Tuesday, June 18, 2019 - 12:07

Today we’re sharing some need-to-knows about OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) and telling you where to find more information.

1. Who should I contact at U of G with questions about OSAP and finances?

Student Financial Services here at Guelph should be your go-to contacts for information on billing, financial aid, scholarships and OSAP. They’ve got a Twitter account dedicated to sharing U of G financial info and answering your questions, as well as several email accounts for you to connect with:

Billing & Account Queries: accquest@uoguelph.ca

OSAP & Government Aid Queries: finaid@uoguelph.ca

Scholarships, Bursaries & Other Award Programs: awards@uoguelph.ca

2. What is OSAP?

OSAP is a financial aid program meant to help Ontario students pay for college or university through grants (money you don’t have to pay back) and loans (money you need to repay once you finish school).

3. Who can apply for OSAP?

You can apply for OSAP if you are an Ontario resident who is either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or a protected person. If you live outside of Ontario, we suggest looking into options available in your province.

4. When can I apply for OSAP?

The OSAP application is open right now! You must submit your application at least 6 weeks before you start school to be eligible to receive assistance for this year. We recommend applying by June 30th to ensure you receive your finding in time to pay for your fall semester.

5. When do I have to replay my loans?

OSAP repayment begins 6 months after you finish your full-time studies.

6. How do I apply for OSAP?

Visit the OSAP website and register to begin your OSAP application. Did you know that Student Financial Services has a step-by-step guide on applying for OSAP? It’s available on the Student Financial Services website.

For additional information on OSAP and university-related finance, be sure to connect with Student Financial Services. For deadlines and reminders follow them on Twitter @UOGStudentfin.

Why “Accepting your U of G Offer” needs to be on your to-do list

Posted: Tuesday, May 28, 2019 - 10:21

Monday, June 3rd is the Ontario University response deadline, which means you’ve got a BIG decision to make! We’ve been sharing what makes Guelph unique with you for months and today we are recapping the top 10 reasons you should accept your offer and become a Gryphon!

1. Guaranteed residence for all semester 1 students

As long as you accept your offer, complete the online registration and pay the $750 deposit fee by June 3rd!

Head to the Student Housing Services website to learn more about our residence communities and how to apply.

2. We offer tons of academic support

In addition to academic learning clusters in residence (where you can live and learn with other students in your program) our library offers Supported Learning Groups (SLGs) to help students with challenging courses. They also offer help with research and writing papers, math and stats help, and tons of activities to help you through exams.

Visit the McLaughlin Library website for more info on the services offered there.

3. Many financial support options

Did you know that in 2017/2018 we awarded over $24 million in scholarships and bursaries to our students?!

We also offer many on-campus jobs to make paying for your education a little easier. Check out the Financial Services website for information on our Work Study program, part-time jobs, our Undergraduate Research Assistantships and more!

4. Our state-of-the-art Athletics Centre

The U of G’s new 25,000 square foot athletics centre makes it easy to add a workout into your daily routine. Base memberships begin at $50 a semester. Visit the Guelph Gryphons website for details.

5. Community and mental health support for everyone

Our goal is to help you succeed, which is why we offer plenty of mental health supports and services all located in one brand new building – J.T. Powell. Student Wellness Services offers drop-in sessions and scheduled appointments with counsellors, nutritionists, accessibility staff and more.

This is also where you’ll find our Health and Performance Centre and Student Health Services. Visit the Student Wellness website for more info and services.

6. Our annual research finding is off the charts

Did you know that U of G receives over $146 million in annual research funding? That’s more than any other school in Canada without a medical school!

This means there is tons of support at U of G for you to explore your interests through research. Visit the Office of Research website to learn about current research projects, future opportunities and to find a potential researcher to work with!

7. Best campus food in Canada

Our campus food has been voted #1 and Maclean’s recently confirmed that this ranking is well deserved. To hear what our students have to say, head to YouTube and watch current students sample campus food and give their stamp of approval.

8. Student Experience at U of G is top notch!

Our purpose at U of G is to Improve Life, and according to our students, we are doing exactly that! In 2019, Maclean’s Magazine awarded U of G top marks for student experience. This means that from academics to student involvement, athletics and beyond, you’ll feel comfortable and supported here at Guelph. Visit the Student Experience website for details.

9. Experience all things Guelph

There are a lot of things that make the U of G unique – we call these “Guelph Things”. Head to YouTube to learn about some of the “Guelph Things” our students have discovered.

With over 200 clubs, unique student experience opportunities and a beautiful campus and city to explore, there’s something for everyone at Guelph. Accept your offer to find your own “Guelph Thing”!

10. You can have it all at U of G

We know you’re comparing academics, student life, residence, athletics and more before making that final decision. All the things we listed above and more come together to make the University of Guelph a community like no other!

We hope you’ve had the chance to visit our beautiful campus, tour our exceptional facilities, meet some of our award-winning faculty, and experience what it means to be a Gryphon. If you haven’t, head to our Instagram where we’ve saved virtual tours, photos of campus and highlighted the U of G experience.

When you're ready to accept your offer head to the OUAC website and make your choice.

Good luck with your decision Future Gryphons, we know you’ll make the right choice for you.

For those that choose to become Gryphons, we cannot wait to have you!

What you need to know about the residence application process

Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2019 - 10:56

Today we’re outlining the basic process for applying to residence and directing you to the experts that can answer all housing-related questions. Let’s get started.

Note the deadline and deposit amount

If you are a Future Gryphon planning to live in residence this fall, you should know that the deadline to apply and submit your $750 deposit is Monday, June 3, 2019. If you’ve applied and paid that deposit by the deadline, you will be GUARANTEED a place in residence.

Narrow down your residence choices

Before you can decide which residence is best for you, you need to see what we’ve got. Luckily you have several options for checking out residence before applying:

1. Come on a tour and see residence in person
2. Check out Student Housing Services’ virtual tours on YouTube to see room layouts and building amenities
3. Tune into Snapchat for live tours this week (add uofghousing)

Explore our residence learning communities

Our unique residence learning communities bring together groups of students with common interests and include:

• Academic Learning Communities
• Living Learning Centres
• Themed Learning Communities

Learn more about each community type by visiting the Student Housing Services website.

Download the Applying to Residence viewbook or watch the online tutorial

Once you are ready to apply for residence, head to the Student Housing Services website and find the “How to apply” section. From there you can view and download the Applying to Residence viewbook OR watch the How to Apply tutorial. Both outline the entire application process step-by-step.

What you need to apply

In order to start your residence application, you need two things:

1. An offer of admission to the University of Guelph
2. Your central login and password (If you do not have your central login and password yet, there is an option to log in using your date of birth, last name and University of Guelph ID #)

What’s next?

Keep an eye on your GryphMail account (@uoguelph.ca) – this is where all official housing communications will be sent!

• mid-July: room assignments will be released
• late-July: you will receive a Move-In Information Guide
• August: pack and get ready for your new life as a Gryphon
• August 31: MOVE-IN DAY

For more information on residence and to ask any and all questions, we recommend talking to our housing experts:

Email: housing@uoguelph.ca

Phone: 519.824.4120 x58701

Facebook: Student Housing Services – University of Guelph

Twitter: @uofg_housing

Snapchat: uofgHousing

Round 3 Q&As

Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 - 13:54

We are right in the middle of our third and final round of offers Future Gryphons. We typically get a ton of questions during this time so today we’re breaking down some of the most common Q & A’s. Here we go…

Q - What is the "exact" cut-off average? OR What was the "exact" cut off average last year?

A - We do not release admission averages. If your admission average met the required average, your application will be fully considered. In this final round we consider other factors such as the Student Profile Form and as a result, the averages of admitted students do vary.

 

Q - I have applied to the Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting (example – substitute any other program), my average falls within the "estimated range" do you think I will be admitted? OR My grades are higher than the estimated cut off average – why have I not been admitted?

A - The "estimated range" is based on the admission averages from previous years and is a point of reference. Throughout the admission cycle, admission averages change with each round of offers and are determined by the number and quality of applicants, as well as space availability within the program. 

 

Q - I applied to co-op, but I was admitted to the regular program. How do I get co-op?

A - If you applied to co-op your application for co-op will be considered again in this final round of offers. If we are still unable to offer you admission to co-op and you accept admission to the regular stream of the program by the June 1st deadline, you will have another opportunity to apply for Co-op when you are in your first year of studies at Guelph. Contact Co-operative Education & Career Services for more information (Ext. 52323).

 

Q - Do you just use my "top" six or do you also calculate my average using my required courses?

A - At Guelph, during the final round of offers, we use the specific 4U Ontario high school courses required for your program plus your next best 4U and/or 4M courses, for a total of six 4U/M courses, to form your admission average. 

 

Q - When are the May offers of admission being released?

A - We are currently in our third round of admission and are continuing to make offers. We are committed to providing an admission decision (e.g. admitted, deferred, etc.) by May 28th. 

 

Q - How many people are admitted to (for example) - the Bachelor of Applied 
Science - Applied Human Nutrition?

A - We admit more students that we expect to register each year as we know students apply to a number of programs and have choice in which they accept. If your admission average falls within our range, your application will be considered.

 

Q - Can I accept an offer from another university? A - Yes, you can accept an offer from another university but no Ontario university can require you to make that decision before the June 3rd common response deadline. Accepting a subsequent offer will void the previous one as you can only have one accepted offer on file with the OUAC and you should do so by the June 3rd deadline.

 

Q - How do I accept my offer?

A - You accept your offer through the OUAC website and by the June 3rd common response deadline. As well, June 3rd is the deadline for your Residence application and deposit to Student Housing. These are firm deadlines. You are encouraged to take your time and follow the OUAC instructions as there are a number of ‘buttons’ to click as you move through the acceptance process. There is also a tutorial offered through the OUAC that students can access for support and assistance. Please see Tutorial # 7 - How to View and Respond to Ontario University Offers of Admission
This video will show you how to check for university offers of admission and how to accept or decline those offers.

 

Q - How do I defer my admission?

A - You can apply to defer your admission by emailing your request to our Admissions office at admission@uoguelph.ca. You are not required to accept your offer in order to defer. The deadline for completion of this process is August 9, 2019 and it is a firm deadline. The cost of the deferral is $80. 

 

Q - I’ve already gained admission but didn’t get an entrance scholarship. Will my most recent grades be considered again for entrance scholarship eligibility?

A - Yes, for entrance scholarships, we will automatically consider semester two, mid-term grades but may not normally include grades for courses registered in and completed after June (i.e. during the summer). You will be notified of changes to scholarship eligibility by Student Financial Services. 

 

Q - I’m an Ontario high school student and I just figured out I want to apply to Guelph. Can I still apply? OR I have an offer of admission to (insert program) at the University of Guelph, but now realize it’s really (insert program) that I really want. Is there anything I can do?

A - With the exception of the DTM program, all undergraduate programs are currently closed on the OUAC101. In mid-June, once we have received responses to the offers made throughout the admission cycle, we will decide whether programs will reopen. In the interim, we strongly encourage you to accept one of the offers you currently have. After June 6, 2019, all students can access the OUAC Admission Information Service (AIS) at www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-101/ais to review program openness.

 

Q - Where can I send my documents?

A - Please have your documents sent to:
Admission Services
Level 3 University Centre
University of Guelph
50 Stone Rd E
Guelph, ON
N1G 2W1

4 “To-Do’s” This Long Weekend

Posted: Friday, May 17, 2019 - 10:40

We’re nearing the end of May, Future Gryphons! What does that mean? Summer is coming and so is the June 3rd acceptance deadline. Today we’re sharing 4 things you can do with your extra day off this weekend: 

1. Accept your offer 

Received an offer and decided that U of G is the place for you? Great! It’s time to accept that offer.

If you applied through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), and are currently registered in a Canadian high school, you must log in and accept your offer on the OUAC by June 3, 2019. 
If you’re unable to respond online, contact our office at 519-824-4120 Ext. 58721 for a hard-copy response document.

2. Follow Student Housing on Snapchat 

Add “uofghousing” on Snapchat to tune in to virtual tours of residence next week! Student Housing Services will be taking viewers though ALL U of G residences from May 21-27th. If you can’t visit U of G in person, this is the next best way to see where you’ll be living in September! 

Reminder: if you choose to live in residence for first year you must apply and pay the $750 deposit by June 3, 2019!

3. Join the Start Online Facebook group

Connect with other new Gryphons and ask ALL the questions. Summer Orientation information will be available in June but until then, the Facebook group is the best place for new Gryphons to ask student experience related questions.   

4. Tune in to our IGTV Channel

If you’re not already doing so, we recommend following us on Instagram. Why? We’ll be releasing Campus Tour episodes on our IGTV channel throughout next week.  Each episode will feature different segments from a campus tour:  academic buildings, residence, eateries, general campus info, student support etc. 

This is another fantastic way to get a “feel” for the campus and what it has to offer, if you’re unable to attend an open house or come for a campus tour. You don’t want to miss it!

That’s it friends – 4 simple things to cross off your list this weekend. Have fun, be safe and accept your offer!

Guelph-Wellington County wins $10 million in the Smart Cities Challenge

Posted: Thursday, May 16, 2019 - 09:22

Guelph-Wellington County has officially won a $10 million prize in the federal government Smart Cities Challenge!

This Canada-wide challenge encouraged communities to improve quality of life through a smart cities approach which involves innovation, data and connected technology. Guelph-Wellington County was selected as one of two winning communities out of 100 entries in the category.

The Guelph-Wellington entry is a partnership with the University of Guelph, Conestoga College and many other experts, entrepreneurs, innovators and community members. Our winning entry is titled ‘Our Food Future’ and is aimed at creating Canada’s first circular food economy with three main goals:

1. 50 per cent increase in access to affordable, nutritious food;
2. 50 new circular food business and collaboration opportunities; and
3. 50 per cent increase in economic revenues by reducing or transforming food waste.

For more information on this award, check out the article posted on Guelph Today. By joining the Guelph community, know that you are joining a network of innovators working toward a sustainable future.

Get your Student Profile Form submitted ASAP

Posted: Monday, April 29, 2019 - 10:27

If you haven’t submitted your Student Profile Form (SPF) yet, what are you waiting for? It’s due this Wednesday, May 1st so we recommend getting it filled out and submitted as soon as possible!

Here is a quick refresher on who should fill out the SPF and why:

• If you have not yet received an offer from U of G you should submit a completed SPF
• The SPF is where you can share extra-curricular interests and activities, volunteer positions, honours and awards
• It’s also where you can tell us about anything that might have impacted your academic performance such as illness, injury, personal experiences etc.
• We review the SPF’s during our third and final round of offers
• Filling out the SPF allows you to be considered for admission if your average falls within a discretionary range of the final cut-off (up to 5%)

Unfortunately, we will not be able to process any SPF’s after the May 1 deadline so if you are serious about becoming a gryphon, get it completed and submitted!

The University of Guelph – You’ve Gotta Eat Here!

Posted: Friday, April 26, 2019 - 09:51

The title of this article says it all: You’ve Gotta Eat Here – and here’s why.

We are Canada’s Food University

• Our food has been ranked the best on any Canadian university campus for more than 10 years!
• 94% of our students are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with our food

Maclean’s says our food is the best in Canada

• They visited, they sampled, they enjoyed
• Check out the full article at Maclean’s.ca!

We accommodate all diets, allergies and restrictions

• We recommend getting in touch with our Student Nutrition Awareness Program (SNAP) contact about any dietary questions, comments or concerns

There is always a delicious food option nearby

• We have over 20 different dining options across campus!
• Did we mention we have food trucks on campus?!

We make it easy to support local food vendors and farmers

• We are Canadian leaders for sourcing local and sustainable food
• We received Ontario’s “Local Food Champions” award

You choose the meal plan that works for you

We offer 5 different meal plan options:

1. Minimum
2. Light
3. Full (most popular)
4. Plus
5. Varsity

More details can be found on the Hospitality website.

We breakdown our meal plans into basic and flex dollars

• Basic: covers most of the your on-campus food purchases (these purchases are HST exempt)
• Flex: covers taxable purchases at places such as vending machines, the Bullring and the Brass Taps, convenience grocery items, dining at specified off-campus restaurants, food delivery and taxi services

Meal plans cover on-campus food purchases AND select off-campus dining partners

• Your flex dollars can be used at select restaurants, services and entertainment facilities
• Check the full list of off-campus options on our Hospitality website

Our hospitality team is out of this world

• Our hospitality staff are friendly, approachable and passionate about providing the best campus food in Canada

Future Gryphons, it literally doesn’t get better than university dining at U of G! Don’t believe us? Check out our YouTube channel for student testimonies OR come for a visit and try for yourself!

Round 3 Offers – what you need to know

Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2019 - 14:19

Our third and final round of offers will be going out from late April to mid-May. Here is what you need to know about this final round.

These are the grades we’re looking at:

If you currently attend a semestered school, we’re looking at Fall 2018 grade 12 final grades and Winter 2019 grade 12 midterm grades. Within this, we are specifically looking at your top 4U/M completed courses including required courses for your program.

Submit your SPF by the May 1st deadline

If you haven’t received an offer yet, get your student profile form submitted by May 1st.

We’ll be reconsidering you for your first choice

If you’ve previously received an alternate offer, we’ll be considering you for your first choice in this third and final round.

We’ll review your other program choices

If you’ve applied to more than one program at the U of G, we’ll be considering you for those in this round (if you’re not admissible to your first choice).

BLA applicants: this is your round!

If you applied to our Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, look out for your offer in this round. The third round is the only time we send out BLA offers.

Check your OUAC account

We’ll be sending out third round offers in the coming weeks, so be sure to check your OUAC account! Once your offer shows up on OUAC be sure to check your mailbox for more details about your offer.

Things to keep in mind:

• We will consider your application and review your SPF in May if your average is below the estimated cut-off (within 5% but over 75%)
• Estimated cut-off ranges are based on the admission averages from the previous three years of admitted students and are meant to be a point of reference. We cannot disclose exact cut-offs.
• The deadline to accept any offer from the University of Guelph is June 3, 2019
• June 3 is also the deadline to apply for residence (you can apply using your Central Login OR your student number, last name and date of birth)
• Once you have accepted your offer of admission for September 2019, we will send you a registration package in the mail with instructions on how to login to Web Advisor and register for courses

We’re nearing the final stretch here Future Gryphons. Keep up your hard work!

Jobs on Campus

Posted: Monday, April 15, 2019 - 10:38

We do what we can to help make paying for university easier on you (and your wallet). We offer entrance scholarships, in-course bursaries, and encourage you to apply for OSAP; but we recognize that some students are looking for a way to earn money while they study.

Luckily, we offer several on-campus part-time job opportunities – so you can earn while you learn!

Work Study Program

This program allows you to work on campus and gain hands-on experience while earning cash. It’s also a great way to network and meet people on campus.

Visit the Student Financial Services website for details on who is eligible as well as when and how to apply.

4,000+ part-time jobs

Our more than 4,000 on campus jobs offer plenty of opportunity for growth, getting involved and skill-building. Whether you’re interested in serving up lattés in an on-campus eatery, helping a prof do research, or showcasing your lifeguard skills at the pool, we’ve got you covered.

Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) program

This program allows you the opportunity to experience Guelph in the summer, while gaining research experience AND earning money. These full-time positions begin in May and typically run for 16 weeks.

The application process for this competitive program begins in December of each year so be sure to check the financial services website for details.

Co-operative Education

The great thing about co-op at U of G is that you have the flexibility to find and apply to jobs that suit your program of study and personal interests. While students have the flexibility to apply for jobs across Ontario, out-of-province and even internationally, some students choose to work right here on campus!

Visit the Recruit Guelph website for more information on co-op and to check out current opportunities.

If you have questions about our Work Study or URA programs, get in touch with Student Financial Services at awards@uoguelph.ca. For questions related to finding jobs on Recruit Guelph contact Co-op and Career Services at recruit@uoguelph.ca.

Happy earning gryphons!