Student Resource Centre Blog

There is a plan underfoot to organize an International Students Art Show in the last week of October. The Show will be sponsored by ACADSA, SRC and International Students Group.
At this time, the organizers are looking for submissions and volunteers to help making this Show a roaring success!
For more information, comments and questions, please contact: paul.szymanowski@acad.ca

What’s available?

Drop-in assistance – every Wednesday 12:00 – 2:00 pm + Thursday 4:00 – 6:00pm

Bring your questions about course content, research, writing/editing essays, exam/critique prep and what ever else you find puzzling in your classes.

How about study groups?

Thanks for asking – we have those too! Organized on as-needed basis and run by students and for students

Incidentally, I am looking for volunteers to help themselves and  other students in “running the show” and being part of this learning experience. You may gain a great set of solid skills by getting involved in a study group. Your grades will thank you! Your parents will thank you! You will feel all warm and fuzzy by helping other students in getting their grades up, too – guaranteed! The students will thank you!

From Study Group Leader to Volunteer Coordinator, Study Groups – possibilities are many! Besides, it looks really cool on your resume/CV as part of your professional experience.

Please get in touch with me if you wanted more information: paul.szymanowski@acad.ca

Who can access Learning Assistance Resources?

Services provided at LAR are available to ALL ACAD STUDENTS! From weekly Workshops, to Study Groups and Drop-in sessions – all our services are free of charge!

Some assistance will be best suited to 1st year or 2nd Year students. A number of International Students will find it particularly useful to come to Drop-in sessions or Study Groups.

Please ask me if you have any questions.

You can call me at: 403.338.5513 or e-mail me at: paul.szymanowski@acad.ca

This is just a quick update on Student Loan and various grants available for 2009/2010.

Please note that Student Loan applications are now available on-line – as of June 01 (for Alberta students).
(For out-of-province students – please consult your Provincial Student Loan sites.)
You can go to: http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/ec/fo/studentsfinance/students-finance.html
and follow links to “Applying online”.

NEW FEDERAL GRANTS

FULL-TIME CANADA STUDENT GRANTS

The new Canada Student Grant Program consolidates all federal grants into a single program that aims to provide more students with incentives to pursue post-secondary studies and to reduce reliance on student loans. It is delivered through seven separate grants – three full-time grants, two disability grants, and two part-time grants. The new Canada Student Grants for full-time students are:
Grant for Students from Low Income Families ($250/month)
Grant for Students From Middle Income Families ($100/month)
Grant for Students with Dependents ($200/month per child)

Eligibility for Low/Middle Income Grants* – The student must:
Have applied for funding and demonstrated Canada Student Loan eligibility
Be from a low or middle income family as defined by the Canada Student Loans Program (see Income Threshold Chart)
Be pursuing full-time post secondary studies in a multi-year program that leads to an undergraduate degree, certificate, diploma or professional designation
Not be in a graduate program (Masters, MBA, or Ph.D.)

Eligibility for Grant for Students with Dependents* – The student must:
Have applied for funding and demonstrated Canada Student loan eligibility
Be attending a designated full-time program that leads to a degree, certificate, or diploma
Have at least one dependant under 12 years of age at the study period start date or a dependant who is 12 or older who requires daily care due to a permanent disability
Be from a low income family, as defined by the Canada Student Loans Program – the student does not necessarily have to receive the Low Income Grant to be eligible for the Grant for Students with Dependents

*Note: Students may receive more money than their assessed need, as grant amounts are fixed for all students. Students who demonstrate $1 of assessed CSL eligibility will receive their full grant entitlement. For students funded for more than one semester, federal grants will be disbursed 50% up front and 50% at the midpoint of the study period. These grants will be allocated before any other type of funding. p. 3
What will students receive? Grant for Students from Low Income Families:
$250 per month to a maximum of $3000 per loan year

Grant for Students From Middle Income Families:
$100 per month of study to a maximum of $1200 per loan year

Grant for Students with Dependents:
$200 per month of study, per child

Alberta Income Threshold Charts for Low and Middle Income (pre-tax/gross income – line 150) Family Size Low Income Threshold* Middle Income Threshold
1 person 22,436 42,802
2 persons 27,932 59,923
3 persons 34,338 71,822
4 persons 41,691 80,260
5 persons 47,286 86,812
6 persons 53,329 92,160
7 or more 59,374 96,684

GRANTS FOR STUDENTS WITH PERMANENT DISABILITIES

The two new Canada Student Grants for students with permanent disabilities are available for both full and part-time students: Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities:
Generally, eligibility criteria remain the same as the former Access Grant criteria
Students are eligible for $2000 per year
Students will receive the full $2000 if eligible (in some cases a student’s grant may exceed their assessed need, as students with $1 assessed CSL eligibility will receive the full $2000)

Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities:

This grant mirrors the former Accommodation Grant (name change only)
Students are eligible to receive up to $8000 for services and equipment

Drop-in Tutoring @ SRC during Spring Semester
Every Wednesday and Thursday
12:00-2:00 pm, Annex A

*Other times/dates can be arranged based on your individual needs.
Need help with organizing your papers or research?
Need help with time management?
Need help with your courses?
Drop-in Tutoring may be the answer!

Every Wednesday + Thursday
12:00 – 2:00 pm, Annex A

It’s convenient!
It’s helpful!
It’s FREE!

If you have any questions please let Paul know @: 403.338.5513 or paul.szymanowski@acad.ca

A quick update on assistive technologies at SRC:

1. With the end of ACAD academic year approaching and classes (almost) over I would like to remind everyone to please return all digital recorders and electronic/talking dictionaries to SRC as soon as possible.

*Please remember that if borrowed equipment is not returned by the end of April your student account will be debited with the amount owing for each item.* This means that you will not be able to register for courses or graduate until this is cleared.

2. For those of us who want to simplify note taking next year, please check out this little “gizzmo”: www.livescribe.com
You will be pleasantly surprised by its versatility and user-friendly features!

It’s a digital recorder!
It’s a Smartpen!
It’s all of the above and than some!