Sometimes, the unexpected happens. Depsite careful budgeting and planning, urgent and unforeseen expenses can and do arise for students - upending their budget and any savings in the process. Often, items like groceries and other basic necessesities are the first thing students must go without in these situations, further exacerabating an already stressful time.
Student financial aid at StFX includes a program to provide students with grocery cards in these situations of urgent financial strain. This helps ensure that students can provide for themselves and never have to go without basic necessities.
StFX boasts a proud tradition where graduating classes – or alumni from a particular class year – establish a bursary fund to support future StFX students. This tradition extends from the Class of 1968 (who are celebrating 50 years since graduating from StFX) and beyond. Often, classes chose to designate their bursary towards certain students or causes:
Class of 2021: Food Security Fund
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many students this year are in a particularly vulnerable position. With employment opportunities in the summer and during the school year disappearing, some students have been left struggling to afford even basic necessities such as food. With these needs in mind, the Class of 2021 Bursary Fund will provide students in need with a meal in Morrison hall, taxi fare for a trip to and from the grocery store, and a $50 grocery card. While this fund was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Class of 2021 recognizes there will always be a need to help students facing similar food security challenges in future years.
Class of 2020: Emergency Circumstance Bursary
Sometimes, unexpected life circumstances can disrupt even the best plans. This fund will help cover costs that stem from unforseeable events, such as travel to visit a sick relative or tuition support when a job loss or illness prevents a student and their family from making tuition payments. This fund will help alleviate financial stress in a trying time.
Class of 2019: Emergency Mental Health Bursary
This fund will be help cover costs for students facing unforseen expenses related to mental health and overall wellbeing. These expenses could include (but aren’t limited to) travel costs to attend the funeral of a loved one, rehabilitation program costs, and legal or travel costs for students who have experienced trauma. StFX’s Health and Counselling centre would disperse these funds as-needed.
Class of 2018: Student Refugee Bursary
Moved by stories of the global refugee crisis, the Class of 2018 established a bursary specifically for students who either are or have been refugees, or who are the children of refugee parents.This bursary will help cover tuition costs and living expenses as these students pursue a post-secondary education.
Planning to make a contribution on May 16? You can designate your gift to a class bursary, whether your own graduating class or anothers!
Each year, StFX’s Student Parent Holiday Fund gives gift cards that allow student parents to provide for their families over the holiday season. Student parents are able to buy food, gifts, clothing or other items at their own discretion, based on the specific needs of their family. This program helps alleviate some of the financial stress related to one of the busiest – and most expensive – times of the year for families with children.
The StFX financial aid office is consistently seeing more requests for support through this program. Last year over 20 student parents received support, many of them single mothers and fathers.
When you support student financial aid at StFX, you’re supporting programs like the Student Parent Holiday Fund – and making the holidays that much brighter for student parents!
Did you know? When you make a gift on May 16, you can designate your contribution specifically towards the StFX Student Parent Holiday Fund.
The StFX Financial Aid Office manages the bursary program on behalf of the university. In 2017-18, $662,162 was distributed directly to students via a combination of bursaries (entrance, general and limited bursaries) and other discretionary programs, such as emergency funding for crisis situations.
All students accessing funds through the bursary program demonstrate varying levels of financial need. Awards typically range from $500 - $1000, depending on the particular award.
As the cost of living increases, we are seeing increased demand for bursary support. Even a $500 bursary makes a significant difference to a student’s bottom line, helping to cover expenses like tuition, textbooks, rent and other costs.
On Tuesday, May 16, your gift WILL make a difference! Join the StFX family as we change the lives of our students, together.