Highlights from the KOWIN 2012 Quebec Loan and Bursary Information Seminar:
On May 19th, 2012, KOWIN Montreal has successfully completed a Quebec Loan and Bursary Information. This seminar was directed towards providing information for the current and prospective students entering or enrolled in a post-secondary institution. The two speakers were our very own KOWIN executives: Sung-jin Lee (MA of Sociology student from Concordia University) and Eun-jin Min (Bachelor of Science student from McGill University). The two speakers carried out a very informative seminar, bringing awareness of the different types of loans and Bursaries to the students who have joined us in this event.
For those who have missed our Quebec Loan and Bursary Information Seminar, KOWIN has summarized the crucial points outlined in this event. The information provided will help students in successfully receiving loans and bursaries in Quebec.
General Rules and Regulations when applying:
· Must be a citizen of Canada or a landed immigrant in Quebec.
· Only online applications through http://www.afe.gouv.qc.ca will be accepted.
· When applying, the student must register 6-8 weeks prior to the start of their academic year.
· You must supply a permanent Education Code as well as your Social Insurance Number on your online application.
· You must be a full time student (enrolled in 8 credits or more per semester) to be eligible for both the loan and bursary. If you are a part-time student, you can only apply for a loan.
· The only exception to this rule would be if the student is a student with disabilities, pregnant for more than 20 weeks, in a single parent family and if currently married, living with a spouse. (In these curcumstances, the student must enroll in 6 credits or more in one semester to qualify)
How to apply:
· Must register online at http://www.afe.gouv.qc.ca
o Fill out the registration form carefully, providing all necessary information.
o If you are a student under the age of 22, you must also provide information on the income of your family.
· Once you are registered and is granted a loan and/or bursary, the “Loan Agreement” letter will be sent to your educational institution.
· When you receive the “Loan Agreement” letter, you may take this letter to a financial institution* where you may set up an account to redeem your loan and/or bursary. (*Please note that TD Bank and Scotia Bank are excluded).
Summer Language Program Bursaries:
· This bursary is for students who are not a native speaker of either French or English.
· Also valid to high school students, all across Canada.
· The student must enroll in a English/French language program that is authorized by the Canadian Government. The student also must attend a full time (5 weeks or more) language program to qualify.
· This bursary will only cover the students’ cost of tuition and books. It will not cover individual expenses (ie. Transportation, food,. etc.)
· To register: http://www.afe.gouv.qc.ca or http://myexplore.ca.
University Scholarships and Bursaries:
(The information below is based on the two universities in Quebec: Concordia and McGill. This may not apply to all the post-secondary educations in Quebec. However, Universities across Canada tend to have similar Scholarship and Bursary programs and so you may take the information below to understand how the program generally works. For more information, please contact your post-secondary institution)
University of Concordia:
· For newly admitted students:
o Entrance Scholarships: No application is necessary. The school will provide you with the scholarship depending on the required grade from your previous educational institution.
o Entrance Bursaries: Need to fill out an Entrance Bursary Application Form provided by the university. [Min. GPA of 2.6 to be eligible]
· For current Students:
o In-Course Scholarships: No application is necessary.
o In-Course Bursaries: Require completion of an In-Course Bursary Application Form.
o Work-Study program.
McGill University:
· Scholarships and Awards for Undergraduate Students:
o Entrance Scholarships: For newly admitted students. No application necessary.
o In-Course Scholarships and awards: For students already enrolled in McGill University.
o Activity Awards: For individuals with outstanding community service.
o Athletic Awards: For individuals actively participating in an athletic program.
· For prospective Students:
o Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships:
§ One-year scholarships, valued at $3,000.
§ Major scholarships, valued at $3,000, $5,000 and $10,000, and the student is able o renew the scholarship annually.
· Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students:
o For Prospective students:
§ Entrance Bursaries.
o For Current Students:
§ In-Course financial Aid (loans and/or Bursaries)
§ SSMU Access Bursary
§ Work Study Program
· Graduate Funding:
o In-Course Financial Aid or Work Study from McGill.
o Funding opportunities. (Internal and External)
International Students:
· Full Scholarships
· KCSSF Scholarship
· 재미한인장학기금 장학생.
· 재외동포초청 장학생.
· TALK Program.
For more detailed information on Quebec loan and bursaries, please refer to the main website:www.afe.gouv.qc.ca.