Student Relief Fund
Helping students in need, when they need it the most.
Many of our students experience unexpected financial hardship. As the cost of living continues to rise, with steady increases in food and housing expenses, a record number of students are feeling financially stretched. They are under pressure and at times may feel they have to forfeit their academic dreams.
In late March 2020, the Ontario Tech Student Union donated funds designated for events to help launch the Student Relief Fund. Thanks to their leadership and with the support of members of our community, staff, faculty and alumni, we have been able to assist more than 1,500 students with their immediate needs. However, there is still much to be done as challenges persist. Our students are our priority and we have committed to a 1:1 match for every dollar raised. All funds go directly to help students who are struggling to cover their basic costs of housing, food, tuition, and mental health services.
Farhin Mim, a Criminology and Justice graduate, explains the significant impact the Student Relief Fund had on her success.
“I have always relied heavily on our campus and public spaces for Wi-Fi to complete my academic studies. When the university shut its doors in March (2020) and many public places then followed, I lost access to all wifi. This was an obvious requirement to successfully finish my winter 2020 semester. The Student Relief Fund helped me with this unexpected expense to ensure that I had access to something as crucial as a reliable internet connection that we all take for granted. Without a dependable and fast connection, I would be lost.”
From food, housing and utilities to transportation, clothing and medical expenses, the list of needs are endless for our students. If you are in a position to do so, please consider supporting this fund. Thank you for thinking of our students.
If you are an Ontario Tech University employee, you can make your gift through payroll deduction. If you are an Ontario Tech student who needs to apply for support please go to MyOntarioTech and fill out the application for the Student Relief Fund bursaries.
Donate to the Student Relief Fund today!
Our commitment is to ensure a sustainable, transparent, and efficient philanthropic program. To help achieve this, 5% of donations to expendable funds, with the exception of student financial support, are used to partially offset the costs of receipting, administering, tracking and distributing funds. Thank you for your support.
