Osgoode’s Emergency Funding Program offers financial support to current JD students who require immediate access to funds as a result of short-term emergency situations. Emergency funding is a last resort and is available only to students who have exhausted all personal resources, government loans and lines of credit.
Types of Support
Emergency Loans
Emergency loans are available for students who require funds outside of Osgoode’s regular financial aid processes (the fall bursary and winter funding processes) due to unanticipated or emergency situations that have affected the student’s capacity to pay normal living expenses. For example, if you’re experiencing a delay in receiving provincial funding or an employment cheque and are therefore unable to pay rent, you may receive an emergency loan. These loans function as an advance of a student’s fall bursary or winter funding entitlement. That is, the amount of the emergency loan will be deducted from your fall or winter award, depending on when the loan is provided. Emergency loans are interest-free and are available up to a maximum of $3000.
Emergency Bursaries
Emergency bursaries are one-time, non-repayable financial awards for students facing exceptional one-time costs due to unanticipated, extraordinary situations. Emergency bursaries are a support of last resort and, as such, are only available in circumstances in which an emergency loan would be clearly inappropriate. Examples of situations in which a student may be granted an emergency bursary could include: homelessness due to fire or eviction or loss of essential personal belongings (such as clothing) due to theft. The maximum emergency bursary is $1,000, though amounts will generally be substantially lower.
Who Can Apply
Emergency funding is available to students who are enrolled in the JD program and paying fees to Osgoode, including students on approved Osgoode/York international exchange programs and Letter of Permission students paying Osgoode tuition. Students in joint and combined programs are eligible for emergency funding in the years in which they are paying fees to Osgoode. Emergency funding is not available to students who are on a leave of absence, have not yet commenced the JD program (i.e. recently admitted applicants before classes have commenced) or have graduated from the JD program.
Application Process
To apply for an emergency bursary and/or emergency loan, email the following documents to Osgoode’s Office of Student Financial Services (FSO):
- A statement of request outlining the type of support you’re seeking (loan or bursary), the amount you’re requesting, the reason for the request, and an explanation of the resources you’ve exhausted and attempts you’ve made to secure other resources.
- Supporting documentation*:
- Current bank and investment account statements.
- Current student line of credit balance as well as remaining available credit, OR, proof of denial of line of credit if applicable.
- Government funding summary for the applicable year and account of outstanding government loans, OR, proof of denial of government funding if applicable – Any other relevant documentation to support the request.
*If the request is made immediately following the fall bursary process and the above documentation has been provided through that process, this requirement may be waived.
Meeting
Students requesting emergency funds will generally be asked to attend a meeting with the Manager of Admissions and Student Financial Services (Manager), Associate Dean Students (ADS) or Assistant Dean, Students (AD) to review their circumstances as well as the process for receiving emergency funds.
Approval Process
Emergency Loans
Requests for emergency loans, including the amount of funding awarded, will be granted at the discretion of the Manager, in consultation with the AD, as necessary. Considerations will include the nature of the emergency, the student’s current financial situation including whether all resources have been exhausted, and whether support may be available through other means (from Osgoode, York or other avenues).
Emergency Bursaries
Requests for emergency bursaries, including the amount of funding awarded, will be granted at the discretion of the Manager, ADS and/or AD. Considerations will include the nature of the emergency including whether it is an exceptional, one-time cost for which an emergency loan would be clearly inappropriate; the student’s financial situation and whether all resources have been exhausted; and whether support may be available through other means (from Osgoode, York or other avenues). Consideration will also be given to whether the student has applied for and received an emergency bursary in the past. Only in extraordinary circumstances will a student be offered more than one emergency bursary during their studies at Osgoode. If a student’s request for an emergency bursary is denied, they may be offered an emergency loan instead. It is within the discretion of the Manager, AD and/or ADS to create an appropriate emergency funding package for the student depending on the particular situation.
Funding Requests That Are Not Approved
If the emergency funding request is not approved, the Manager, AD and/or ADS will assist the student in addressing their financial concerns through other means (e.g. assistance with budgeting, advising of third-party funding opportunities, etc.).
Distribution of Funds
Emergency Loans
- The FSO will ask York Student Financial Services to issue a cheque to the student or deposit the funds directly to the student’s bank account (in accordance with York’s procedures and the student’s preference).
- The student must sign an Acknowledgement of Receipt to confirm receipt of the loan.
- If the loan is received prior to the fall bursary process, the outstanding amount will be automatically deducted from the student’s subsequent fall bursary award. If the loan is received prior to the winter funding process, the outstanding amount will be deducted from the student’s subsequent winter funding award.
Emergency Bursaries
- The FSO will ask York Student Financial Services to issue a cheque to the student or deposit the funds directly to the student’s bank account (in accordance with York’s current procedures and the student’s preference).
- The student must sign an Acknowledgement of Receipt to confirm receipt of the one-time payment.