Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley

Parent Info <Back to Pembroke Home

The Things Parents Need to Know about College

Parents play an important role in helping their children choose a college that is right for them. At Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley, we have created this web page to better inform parents about where their son or daughter will be studying. It's also a guide to assist parents with learning more about college policies, financial aid for students, and campus safety.

We encourage you to peruse the rest of our Pembroke Campus website including the Student Services pages, the Success Stories, the Housing List page, and the Students' Association pages for additional information about our campus.

In addition, the Programs and Courses pages will give you additional information about all our full-time programs including curriculum, approximate tuition, books and supply costs, and other important information.

Effective October 1st, 2012, you can pay full-time program tuition fees at Algonquin College through online banking, debit, cheque, or money order. Credit card payments will no longer be accepted. For more information, please visit www3.algonquincollege.com/ro

On-Campus activities: In addition to supporting their academics, we hold a number of social activities where they can meet and mingle with other students, feel comfortable in their new environment, and enjoy some free food and entertainment. Check out some of the the Orientation & Retention activities here. We hope you'll encourage your children to participate in these fun events.

Watch a video with Jamie Bramburger addressing parents at an Open House about the 12 Things Parents Need to Know about College. Our Video Room on the main web page also gives a great picture of some of the activities and events we hold during the year that will enhance both the social and academic skills of our students.

The Learning Environment

We take great pride in offering students an exceptional learning experience. We promise small class sizes and easy access to our faculty and staff. We offer many services to assist students like tutoring, counselling, health services, employment assistance, and financial aid.

We frequently hold free workshops for students on academic topics like test writing, time management and note taking. Every student is assigned to an Academic Advisor and the College has a Student Success Specialist to assist students who are having difficulty with subject material. We are committed to student success!

Student Services
Your son or daughter has access to a complete range of student services throughout the year. Whether they need financial assistance, study tips, personal health information, or tutoring...they just have to ask. Sometimes students want to be successful on their own terms without having to get extra help--but when the time comes that they need it, we're here to help. Our Student Success Specialist is a great person to start a conversation with--she can get the ball rolling for academic strategies and make referrals to other staff who can help. See the Student Services button on the left or click here.

Student Privacy

Algonquin College adheres to the national and provincial privacy laws as well as its own confidentiality directive, by ensuring that access to a student's personal and academic information is protected. The policy applies to all students, regardless of their age. Therefore, a student must provide written consent to the College to share information with a parent or guardian. Parents are sometimes frustrated by this policy when making inquiries about their son or daughter, however, the policy is standard practice at all Ontario colleges and universities. Parents should discuss this policy with their child in advance of the student registering with the College.

Finding Housing in Pembroke

Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley does not have a student residence. The college relies on the community to provide student housing and for more than four decades, the community has supported students by providing rental or boarding opportunities.

On this web page, you will find our Housing List which is updated throughout the school year, particularly during the summer months, when more housing opportunities become available. We recommend that families pursue housing in the late spring or early summer to increase their chances of finding the most suitable accommodations for their son or daughter.

The College hosts an annual housing day for out-of-town students in June. This event provides students and their families with an opportunity to get to know the City of Pembroke, tour the campus, participate in helpful workshops, and ultimately secure housing for the coming school year.

Student Loans and Bursaries

As a publicly-funded Ontario college, Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley administers loans provided to students through the federal and provincial governments. Loan documents are not released to students until they are fully registered in a program and start classes.

Things to know about student loans:

Students who are eligible for a loan receive 60% of their loan when they start classes and the remaining 40% when their second semester begins. (Approximately halfway through most full-time programs)
While the college confirms a student is enrolled in a program and confirms the amount of the loan entitlement, the loan is ultimately administered by the National Student Loan Centre. After the loan has been processed, the funds are put into the student's bank account through direct deposit.
At the start of the school year, the college arranges for a representative of the National Student Loan Centre to be on campus to assist with the processing of student loans. If a student's loan documents arrives later in the school year, the loan documents must be taken to a Canada Post outlet where it will be processed and forwarded to the National Student Loan Centre.
Student must provide photo ID (driver's license, age of majority card) and proof of their Social Insurance Number to obtain their loan documents from the College's financial aid office (VERY IMPORTANT).
Applications to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) can be made on-line at http://osap.gov.on.ca. There is no fee to apply on line for OSAP. Students can track the progress of their loan status when they apply on-line.
Students who apply for bursaries are required to complete a budgetary form that outlines why they are in need of financial assistance. Bursaries are gifts, but students are expected to write a thank you note to the donor upon receipt of their cheque.

Health and Dental Coverage for Students

All students at Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley have health and dental coverage while they are studying in a full-time program. Students are charged approximately $120 per year for this coverage. If coverage is available through a family member, the fee is reimbursed to the student after they have completed an "opt-out" form.

The plan is administered by the Algonquin Students' Association and it is the responsibility of the student to request a refund if they have adequate health and dental coverage. Bachelor of Science in Nursing students also have a health plan which is administered through the University of Ottawa's Student Federation. An opt-out form and deadline also applies here.

Campus Security

The College has security guards on campus during the day and early evening. Emergency phones are available on campus. The campus is located near Pembroke's downtown in a high traffic area.

Emergency Phone Service

The Algonquin Students' Association encourages students to register with their emergency hotline service. Students leave a copy of their timetable with the Students' Association, allowing staff to contact the student in the event of a family emergency. The hot line number is 613-735-4700, ext. 2758. The Students' Association reserves the right to screen calls, and this service is intended only for emergencies.

Continue to watch this page for additional information.

^Top