for applicants

How to decide between living on or off campus

Moving is tricky. Deciding where to move is trickier. That’s why we wanna help.

It’s your first year of post-secondary education and you’re not sure whether to live on or off campus? That’s a tough call. Good thing we weighed the pros and cons for you! Check out this list if you’re feeling a little torn.

Getting to know your new hood

Moving away from home can be overwhelming. Staying on campus can offer some peace of mind. By the end of your second week, you’ll know the campus like the back of your hand; being close to something you’re familiar with can be really comforting. This means you know how long it takes you to walk to class (meaning you might even be able to sleep in).

Living off campus means exploring a whole new life and neighbourhood. Living in uncharted territory is an adventure. You might have to commute to get to campus but that’s just another excuse to discover something you might have otherwise missed.

Social Butterfly

Living on campus means you’ll be close to your best buds at all times. It means you’ll never be alone and even if you are, you’ll never be lonely. Residence staff match like-minded students to support positive cohabitation. It’s easy to make friends! On campus residence is the greatest thing to ever happen to a social butterfly with events and leadership opportunities planned throughout the year. Whether you’re a bit more reserved or like being around people, this might be the place for you.

Living off campus means fending for yourself. Sure, you’ll get to know people in your hood, new classmates or roommates, but for the most part, everyone around you keeps to themselves. It’s a bit harder to make friends when you don’t already share a common living space. However, this lifestyle might be easier for you to study and reduce stress if you’re not used to a slightly busier lifestyle.

All in?

Some students seek housing in all-inclusive, off campus apartments like this one or this one. Rather than paying various bills, these guys come as a package deal. From communal kitchens, to lounge and study areas, all-inclusive housing is appealing. It’s got many of the advantages of living on campus, despite not actually being on campus.

Residence is also all-inclusive. At Algonquin College, you only pay for your room from September to April so you won’t be locked into a 12-month lease – but if you’re there for a 12-month program, you can stay through the summer too. Enjoy an array of great food options with nine food locations on campus (35thStreet Market Café located right inside Residence has some great grab-and-go items). On-campus Residence also offers spacious rooms and a variety of common spaces, including a games room, movie lounge and fitness room.

If you aren’t living in an all-inclusive apartment, you’ll have a lot more responsibilities. You’ll have to decide whether you want to live with roommates or on your own. You’ll need to figure out how to get to and from school (luckily all full-time Algonquin College students are eligible for a U-Pass). You’ll likely be paying various bills at once. First steps in #adulting. Consider the cost of rent, heating, hydro, gas, parking, laundry, furniture, cable, and Wi-Fi. We promise, we’re not trying to scare you. With cost sharing between roommates, this option is surprisingly most often the cheaper lifestyle.

 

We know it’s a hard decision to make. There are so many different things to consider. Just know that, regardless of where you end up living, you’re going to be just fine. This is a whole new adventure so start exploring, friend!

 

Chelsie McHugh is a third-year Algonquin College – Advertising and Marketing Communications student. She’s a funny, fiery redhead with a passion for writing.

Paying for College: Easier Than it Sounds

College is a blast. It’s a time to experiment, to make friends, to learn things and to discover yourself. It’s an opportunity to study whatever you want with other, like-minded individuals. It’s being a part of something bigger than yourself. It’s every scholar’s dream. Paying for college, however, is every student’s nightmare. But it doesn’t have to be! Here’s some advice on how to make and save some money so you don’t have to worry about that anymore.

“Leave Britney a loan!”

Student loans can be great way to start your academic career without having to fork over the cash right away. Just take a deep breathe, relax, and look into OSAP. OSAP has two types of funding: loans and grants. Bonus: you can decline the loans and only accept grants. Some other advantages, you don’t have to start repaying your OSAP until you graduate.

Banks and credit unions also offer student loans. Pro-tip: repayment for banks loans tends to be more aggressive than OSAP, so keep that in mind. Just remember that if you are getting a loan to pay for College, keep that money geared towards your education. Having money leftover after paying for tuition doesn’t necessarily mean it is time for a new smartphone.

“You better work!”

Part-time jobs are the traditional way to pay for college. With a job market as attractive as Ottawa’s is right now, it’s the easiest way too. That’s right! Ottawa has one of the hottest job markets in Canada right now according to the BMO Capital Markets list. We have the highest employment growth, lowest jobless rate, an impressive median income, and so much more.

Work on your CV and send out some cover letters! Take a look at all the possibilities. If you need even more help, look no further. Meet with a career advisor at Algonquin College today. Our wise, and determined councilors will help guide you. The best part? They’ll help you out before you even become a student.

You also have the option of attending an AC Career Clarity workshop. Don’t feel like socializing? They offer one-on-one consultations too. Don’t feel like leaving the comfort of your bed? Check out the interactive video modules. Nowyou have no excuses. Grind, grind, grind, friend!

A Bursary is a courtesy

Who doesn’t like free money? Regardless of whether you qualify for OSAP or not, applying for bursaries and scholarships should be your next move. Check this out to see hundreds of the latest available bursaries and scholarships in Canada.

You can also apply for bursaries and scholarships through your ACSIS. The bursary application opens in August, December, and April. Make sure you apply every semester.

This option requires the least effort out of the bunch. All you have to do is apply, and wait for the cash to roll in.

“Hasta la Visa, baby.”

If you’re eligible for one, opening a line of credit is a quick and easy way to cover all your expenses. You can make monthly payments, and build good credit. Students are sometimes granted a grace period to make the full repayment after graduation, so that’s cool too.

There are pros and cons to everything and a line of credit is no exception. They come with a lot of responsibility. On the con side, you have to make sure that you aren’t overspending, and that you pay the interest while you’re still in school. Also, interest rates are variable, which means they can increase whenever. Opening a line of credit mightalso disqualify you from certain bursaries or scholarships so make sure to read the fine print.

The good news is the you don’t need to have financial need to apply. This is especially great for those who don’t qualify for OSAP or whose parents’ incomes disqualifies them from Government loans. Anyone can open a line of credit. You also have the option of consolidating your debt on your line of credit and pay the interest there rather than on your credit card.

If you’re considering opening a line of credit, check this out to see which bank suits you best

“Everyday I’m hustlin’.”

If you’re already doing all this and you’re looking for more, first of all congrats, that’s awesome. Secondly, maybe you should consider a side-hustle. Side-hustles are essentially just jobs you do for fun. You basically get paid to do your favourite hobby.

A wise man once said, “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” Or maybe that was Joker from that one Batman movie? Either way, find something you’re good at and start charging people.

Become a tutor. Open an Etsy shop and sell something. Have a bake sale. Sell some clothes on online, or at a consignment shop. Babysit. Collect recyclables and bring them to a recycling center. Rent out a spare room for storage. Become a tasker – complete other people’s basic tasks like groceries, or yard work. Dabble in voice acting on Fiver. Become an Uber or Lyft driver. With the Gig economy on the rise, there’s lots of money to be made. The possibilities are endless really. Get creative.

Don’t freak out

The most important part of growing up is facing your problems head-on. It’s time to do just that. College is supposed to be an exciting time. You’re going to learn and experience so many life-changing things! How are you going to enjoy any of it if you’re too busy stressing over tuition? Use this helpful advice, take a seat, kick back, and relax. You got this, pal.

Gentleman smashing the pig bank

You don’t need to break the bank just to go to college.

Chelsie McHugh is a third-year Advertising and Marketing Communications student. She’s a funny, fiery redhead with a passion for writing.

Tips and Tricks: Saving Money – Make Your Cash Last

Listen, friend, we all struggle with money problems. If you’re having a hard time relating to Cardi B’s Money, here’s what you should do.

Budgeting is key

This is probably the most challenging tip on our list, but it’s easily the most effective. It’s all about perspective and discipline. Little changes can make a big difference. Bring your lunch to school or work, make coffee at home, shop with coupons (download the Flipp app to make it easier), live with roommates or your parents, buy things you need rather than things you want.

If you need more budgeting resources, check this out or snag a free template.

Another great trick is the 10% trim method. This is when you find one expense and figure out a way to reduce by 10%. For example, if you buy a specific meal every week, maybe you can save 10% of your money by learning to cook it yourself. Eliminating 10% of your expenses from specific line items will really start stacking up.

Remember, you don’t have to do this all at once. Start by taking baby steps, and it’ll become a habit in no time. Get creative but stick to your budget.

Coupons, discounts, points, loyalty cards…

If retail therapy is harder to quit than you anticipated, we suggest asking about student discounts. Certain stores like Adidas, ASOS, Champion, and even IKEA can take up to 30% off your total. Check out the full list here. No student discount available? Don’t forget the tried and true method of cutting out coupons.

If shopping online is more your style, take a look at the Honey plug-in to make your life a little easier. Honey will find discount codes for you and apply them to your cart at check-out. It’s an easy way to save, and feel a little better about spending your cash.

Don’t forget about groceries! Shopping with coupons is one thing, but why not sign up for rewards programs? These are great opportunities to save money on things you were going to buy anyway. Take PC Optimum Rewards for example. The more points you collect, the more money you save. You can even redeem your points for free groceries!

Man showing his coupons

Take advantage of discount cards, and loyalty programs. If it saves you money, it’s a good idea. A lot of stores accept the SPC card. These nifty, little cards can score you discounts on things like food, clothes, and so much more.

Put your money to good use

You actually need to do something with all the money you are saving. Anytime you cut from your budget you should transfer that cash difference to a high interest savings account (1-2%), tax free savings account (TFSA), or debt payment. Pay off your credit cards, and bills. Buy some decent kitchenware that’ll last you a long time. Get a Costco membership. Invest in some nice business attire you can wear to future interviews. The choice is yours, but be sure to make it a wise one.

Take it easy

With any skill, practice makes perfect. The same goes for budgeting. It’s really, really hard to make your money last. We get it. That’s why we want to help. Life is supposed to be fun, and though you should focus on budgeting, don’t forget to live a little. You’ve got this.