Tips for staying on track financially this semester

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Investing in your education is a significant and important undertaking. 

Here are some tips and tricks to help you stay on the right track financially during your time at Laurier. 

Understand Scholarships, Bursaries, Loans and Fees

 Submit your online student profile(s) through LORIS to be considered for competitive scholarship, award and donor-supported bursary opportunities (deadline is early fall).

 To know if you’re eligible, apply for financial aid (OSAP). Find your OSAP deadlines. Find all financial supports available to students.

  • If you are experiencing more complex or elevated challenges, including unexpected financial challenges, or require support to be coordinated through multiple departments or services, the Dean of Students staff are here to help.

 Plan ahead to avoid late fees and to opt-out of Health and Dental Benefits.

  • Find out what health services are free and what you have to pay for.

Plan Ahead

 Create a working budget to help minimize your financial stress and increase your wellness.

 Meet one-on-one for financial coaching with Laurier’s financial literacy specialist or attend money management workshops to enhance your financial knowledge.

 Make an appointment with Laurier’s Career Centre to build your resume, learn interview tips and plan your future.

*These services are available to all students at no charge.

Increase Your Income

 Apply for an on-campus part-time job. Hospitality positions with Wilfs, The Turret and Golden Grounds are currently hiring. Laurier’s Navigator also posts off-campus positions during the academic year and summer.

 Integrate your academic studies with practical hands-on experience (and earn money) through the co-op program.

 Get entrepreneurial! Laurier’s entrepreneurship and social innovation initiatives are here to help take your idea and passion and turn them into reality.

Save Money

 Shop second-hand through Laurier’s Freestore to furnish your dorm or student housing and find cleaning and household supplies. The Freestore is open year-round.

 Save money on course materials. Rent your book to save up to 40%. Buy Used. Sell your books at the Textbook buyback, compare prices online (the booklist helps you compare prices), take advantage of the Digital Textbook Access.

 Leverage on-campus resources such as Prism, laptop loans and computer labs to access technology and software.

 Have fun on a budget – the Brantford campus Level One Lounge is a student space with gaming systems and events to help you relax and spend time with friends.

 Save on groceries with sales, coupons, student discount days at eligible stores, and by collecting points. Use grocery lists and meal plans to stay on track. Get meal ideas through the Wellness Eating Well Cookbook!

 Avoid take-out. A $5 coffee every day adds up to $1,215 just for the academic year.

We're Here for You

If you're experiencing food insecurity, we're here for you. The following resources are for students who need them to combat food insecurity on campus.

 Martin Luther University College and Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG) host a weekly free grocery distribution “Free Weekly Distro” providing free fresh produce, groceries and other essentials.

 You can receive parcels from the Students’ Union student Food Bank.

 Check out the Food 4 Hawks program.

Stay Connected

 Graduating? Here are a few things you may want to keep in mind and don’t forget to use your Alumni GradVantages benefits to save on insurance, car rentals and products and services from alumni-owned businesses. Reminder: the Career Centre is also available to all alumni.