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Learners from Care Academic Success Program
The Learners from Care Academic Success program provides support for youth from care to participate fully in their university experience both inside and outside of the classroom. Through wrap-around support from admission to graduation, students can focus on excelling in their studies and meeting their academic and career goals.
Program Goals
The Learners from Care Academic Success program aims to create an opportunity for current and former youth from care to participate fully in the Laurier university experience by removing financial barriers, expanding opportunities to connect directly with faculty and peer mentors, and providing a consistent campus contact to guide and support students from care as they navigate the university environment.
Program Highlights
- Financial Support – Yearly financial support for all eligible students including full-time, part-time, undergraduate, and graduate students.
- Peer Mentorship – Facilitated connection between new and returning students from care
- Faculty Mentorship – Facilitated connection between students and faculty for career planning and networking.
- Campus Navigation Support – Program planning, direct referral to wellness supports, campus tours and course registration advice.
- Emergency Funding – Short-term funding support for unexpected situations.
"Look for ways to make Laurier a place like home, not just a school, and it'll make everything easier."
Troy
Bachelor of Arts
Program Eligibility
The Learners from Care Academic Success Program is open to all students with current or former care experience.
- Must be a current or incoming Laurier undergraduate or graduate student.
- Must be able to provide verification of status with Ontario Children’s Aid Society.
- Eligible to receive funds to cover residence and meal plans in first year at Laurier, OR;
- Eligible to receive additional funding to live off-campus in first year at laurier; AND;
- Eligible for additional financial awards in each year at Laurier;
- Eligible for Tuition-Top Up Bursary for Youth in Extended Sociaety Care; AND
- Eligible to apply for emergency funding as needed
- Eligible for peer mentor program
Complete the registration and financial awards application to join the Learners from Care Academic Success Program.
- Eligible for $250 per registered course per term, up to $1,000 per year; AND
- Eligible to apply for emergency funding as needed
- Eligible for peer mentor and faculty mentorship programs
Complete the registration and financial awards application to join the Learners from Care Academic Success Program.
- Eligible for up to $1,000 per year; and
- Eligible to apply for emergency funding as needed
- Eligible for faculty mentorship program
Complete the registration and financial awards application to join the Learners from Care Academic Success Program.
Additional Financial Support
In addition to the financial awards included in the Learners from Care Academic Success Program, you may be eligible for additional financial awards through Laurier’s Tuition Bursary program and the Emergency Funds for Learners from Care.
Students with experience in extended society care may be eligible for bursary support to cover tuition fees when studying at Laurier. Tuition bursaries are available for up to 20 eligible undergraduate students each year.
The tuition bursary is valued at the total amount of tuition fees, minus any OSAP non-repayable grant funding and/or any other government funding for which the student may be eligible.
Priority will be given to first degree, first time applicants. Students may be required to re-apply for the Extended Society Care Tuition Bursary each year.
Eligibility
The following is the criteria for eligibility. If you do not meet these criteria, you are encouraged to still apply and connect with a financial aid specialist to discuss alternate funding opportunities.
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Will or have aged out of extended society care in Ontario (not publicly adopted) with a minimum of one year in extended society care (includes Customary Care Agreements and Voluntary Youth Service Agreements).
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Must be eligible for full-time funding through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Note full-time OSAP application requires a minimum 1.5 credits or three courses per term.
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Must receive an offer of admission to a Laurier undergraduate program.
Application Process
You will be automatically considered for the tuition bursary if you complete the Learners from Care Academic Success program application and meet the eligibility requirements listed above.
The Learners From Care Emergency Bursary is intended to provide funding to individual students enrolled in the Learners From Care Program who, as result of an unforeseen financial crisis or financial difficulties, are in need of additional support.
Funds are intended to help with costs such as rent, food, books and other living expenses, and is not intended to subsidize the cost of tuition. Eligible students could receive up to a maximum of $1,000 to cover non-tuition expenses.
Emergency funding is only available once per year for students. Student must be able to show significant financial need in order to be eligible.
Application Process
Students requiring one-time emergency funding must complete the Learners From Care Emergency Bursary Application.
If you are in need of immediate support, please email adalmonte@wlu.ca.