Supporting students in need
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October 7, 2010
Camosun students who have an emergency need groceries or financial assistance, should check in with their Financial Aid & Awards office at either the Lansdowne or Interurban campus.
"With the cost of living increasing across the board and the costs of education, we do recognize that many students could use assistance, and we work to ensure support is there for those who are in desperate or immediate need," says Camosun's Vice President, Education and Student Services, Baldev Pooni.
Camosun donors help with emergency assistance
"Through the Camosun College Foundation, we work directly with individuals, community and corporate donors who generously donate each year to help our students," says Pooni. "Thanks to a close partnership with Thrifty Foods, for example, Camosun gives out over $18,000 in Thrifty's Smile Cards through our Financial Aid offices at both campuses to assist students who have an emergency need for groceries."
Camosun students apply for the Thrifty's Smile Cards through the college's Financial Aid department. The Smile Cards are both donated by Thrifty Foods and bought by the Camosun College Foundation specifically to help students in emergency need. The college's Aboriginal Education office also receives another $2,500 in Smile Cards each year."
Bursaries also available
"We also maintain an ongoing Open Bursary Fund, which supports emergency bursaries and other immediate financial aid needs for Camosun students," says Pooni. "Again, students apply through our Financial Aid departments to receive needed funds and we try to help as many students as possible."
Additionally, over 1,000 students each year receive a non-repayable bursary from Camosun College. Bursaries can range from $250 and up. More than $413,000 in bursaries and awards were given out this past year. Bursaries and awards are generously created by the college's over 4,500 donors and students can apply for them through Financial Aid.
"The Student Society greatly appreciates the work the Camosun Foundation does in securing money and food donations for students in need," says Michel Turcotte of the Camosun College Student Society, the student-run association which looks after the Camosun Student Society Food Bank. "The funds they bring in make a real difference in the lives of our students every day."
Who to contact
Camosun students in immediate need of financial assistance should speak directly to their Financial Aid Office at the Interurban (Campus Centre 2nd Floor) or Lansdowne (Dawson Building 1st Floor) campuses or contact financialaid@camosun.bc.ca.
College and community members interested in supporting student financial aid can contact the Camosun College Foundation, foundation@camosun.bc.ca or 250–370–4233.
Contact:
David Sovka
Associate Director
College & Community Relations
Camosun College
sovkad@camosun.bc.ca
Last updated: September 23, 2015 5:12 pm
