Financial additions worry sum

By Samantha Bayard

baya0004@algonquincollege.com

Midterms, relationship trouble, flakey roommates, parental stress, and students debt puts many Algonquin students between a rock and a hard place.

The services available on campus and by referral, however, can act as your jaws of life.

A medical crisis, loss of place of residence, family emergencies, and many similar situations can occur at the worst times and students should be aware of who and what is there to help them in their hour of need.

Karen Barclay-Matheson, a counsellor for student support services, takes appointments with part-time and full-time students from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, and she and other counsellors are available until 4:30 p.m. for walk-ins without an appointment. When students need help and they don’t fit into that schedule they are advised to call the crisis line.

She aids those with personal, academic and career issues by talking them through their problems offering them the resources within the college and then, if necessary, referring them to outside help.

Barclay-Matheson, explained a few recent examples of financial crisis can occur due to unexpected emergencies such as car accidents, students losing their housing, and anxiety from trying to balance schoolwork and personal life.

When it comes to financial crises she can recommend students apply for OSAP and bursaries but “those resources are not immediate and do not suit all situations,” to help fulfill student’s case-specific needs on the short term. There are short term small loans through the school, and for the necessities like accomodations or food, referrals to shelters and food banks are made. “But,” she noted, “many students are apprehensive to take up this option.”

Barlclay-Matheson has a steady flow of appointments throughout the year.  Their busiest times are students’ busiest times –midterms, finals and assignment deadlines. Luckily she and her associates are not the only resource available to students during financial crisis.

Counselling services, financial aid and other similar services “all work in conjunction under one umbrella,” said Barclay-Matheson.

Debra LeBlanc, financial aid front office supervisor, explained in an e-mail she advises students to apply for OSAP first if they have not already.

“If they are receiving OSAP, we review their file for a possible appeal” said LeBlanc. As for references outside the umbrella, “we refer a number of students to the non-profit organization, Credit Counselling Services of Eastern Ontario,” she said.