Learners from Care Academic Success Program

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The Learners from Care Academic Success program provides support for youth from foster 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.

Tuition Support

  • Five undergraduate students each year will receive full tuition support. The total financial award is based on your program of study and number of courses you are registered in each term.
  • Two graduate students (Bachelor of Education [BEd] students are included with graduate students) will receive $4,000 per year. Fund will be distributed 50/50 in fall and winter terms.
  • Three part-time students (graduate or undergraduate) will receive $500 per course/term, up to $1,000 per term.
  • All Learners from Care will have access to emergency funding on an as-needed basis for extenuating circumstances.

Eligibility

Open to all current or incoming Laurier undergraduate or graduate students with current or former care experience.

Must be in a degree seeking program at Laurier (Sussex and double degree programs must have Laurier as your home campus) and registered to receive funding.

Verification of status with the Ontario Children’s Aid Society is required with Learners from Care program application.

Self-identify through the OSAP application process and provide the supporting documentation (OSAP Verification of Status with Children’s Aid Society Form).

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 scholarships and bursaries as well as the Emergency Funds for Learners from Care.

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. Students 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, email adalimonte@wlu.ca.