• OSAP

    … and OSAP wins

    June 7, 2012

    Hi Aska,

    I’m so glad to have stumbled across your page. I have a problem with OSAP that is really bothering me as I find it very unfair. So I was a full-time student in Quebec for a French program this last winter 2012 session and my period end-date was April 30, 2012.

    The problem is I faxed OSAP my continuation of interest-free status form sometime in March and thinking that they received it. Stupidly on my end, I didn’t bother to call in to check because I assumed they got it because the fax went through. Coming home thinking that my study period end-date was April 13, 2012 (last day of class, no exams, and because the program was not apart of the university), I called the National Student Loan Thurs, April 26th to see what my interest rate was. However, I quickly found out that interest already started to accumulate since January 2012. I asked them if they got the form and they said no, but can do an “investigation” on it and I should call back Wed, May 2nd. Called back that day and no luck, they have nothing. I asked if I can re-send the form and told me I could but it’s up to OSAP if they accept it or not.

    So asked OSAP if they received anything from me and they said no, and I asked if I can re-send it and they said yes. At this point I didn’t thinking of asking my school if they keep the form on file. Instead, I was thinking I would need fax the form to the school to fill out then re-send it back to me etc…so the date on the form would be after the study period..so I was worried they wouldn’t accept it.

    Then a light bulb came up and I decided to call the school to see if they have the form on file and they did! With the date stamped March 2nd, and with the study-period end date being April 30th, 2012! At that time I sooo regret not calling the school earlier because then I wouldn’t be going through all this hassle still!!

    Anyways, keeping my hopes high, I faxed it to them anyways on May 2nd.

    Today, I just spoke with OSAP today and they told me that they can’t update my student status because they received the form AFTER the study period date…(even though it was only TWO days after!! With March 6th stamped on the form for when it was filled out by the school!)

    So I re-capped my story to them but nope, they don’t care. They said I needed to show proof that I faxed it on what date to what number. But stupidly on my end, I threw away the fax receipt. Even when I explained to them what happened.

    It pisses me off because there was most likely an error on their end but they never want to accept it. I just don’t understand how my form cannot be accepted even though the school stamped it with a date that was during the study period, and that I only sent it 2 days after the end-date!! What difference would it make if I had sent it on Monday (April 30th), instead of Wednesday (May2)?? Obviously they would still be able to process it. But instead, I’m left with an extra 4 months of interest to pay when I was in fact a full-time student during those 4 months.

    Could you advise me on anything I could do at this stage?? I asked if there was anyone who I can speak to about this issue and they said no, but I can write a letter to explain what happened, but the they don’t think OSAP will accept it anyways…WTH??

    Sorry, this email is getting too long…but I just want to add that this is not the first time this has happened. In my 3rd year uni, the
    school forgot to send in my confirmation of interest-free status form so OSAP thought I wasn’t in school and started withdrawing money. So I contacted OSAP and they said they didn’t get any updates, I need to contact the school. Contacted the school, went through like 5 different people to get my issue across, and had to write a long letter explaining everything, that I applied for OSAP, the number of times I went to Student Financial to inquire about it, what did the person told etc….Basically, instead of the school taking the responsibility for their fault, I had to show proof on my end and explain everything myself. And finally I got my loan at the end of the school year and interests deducted off.

    ??????????????????????-

    Phew – well I can’t say you didn’t give me the full story.

    Don’t get me wrong, OSAP can be a hard cold soul sometimes but in this sitiuation they?might … just maybe … not be wrong.

    The reason that they can’t accept the March?6th date stamp that your school put on the form is because that is the date that the school filled out the form, not neccessarily when you sent it. You could have gotten the form filled out on the 2nd and waited two months (for some not-being-able-to-let-go reason) and then sent it in. I’m sure you realize that you should have called and/or kept the sent fax receipt, so I’m not going to harp on that. The way OSAP is looking at it, is that there is no proof that the form was sent on the date you said.

    Sure they may not have lost the form, but it’s your interest payments and therefore your responsibility to? make sure the form is in the right hands. I’m sure they have had this situtaion before because the back of the form bluntly states: “Misdirected forms will not be backdated”.

    I’m sorry to say, but this also isn’t the school’s fault either. I can’t believe I’m quoting a? form with such small print on it, but it states in the “Where do I submit my form” little area:
    ” *If you are attending an OSAP-approved postsecondary school in Ontario, submit the completed form to the financial aid office at your postsecondary school.

    *If you are attending a postsecondary school outside Ontario, a secondary school in Ontario or a non-OSAP? … blah blah blah … the completed form must be received by the Ministry no later than the deadline dates set out above (you can’t see above, but its pretty much April 30th in your case) and then they say where you should mail the form”

    This form is what tells OSAP you are full-time in school and because you were outside of Ontario, it was your responsibilty to let OSAP know instead of the school, who would submit this form on your behalf after you filled it out in an Ontario school.

    Sure you can write a letter, but when it comes down to it, you have do not have proof (other than your word, and other fibbers have ruined the honour code for you), and you submitted after the date, not matter how maybe days late, it was late.

    tenderly yours,

    aska

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  • failing

    disappearing grades patent

    June 7, 2012

    Hey there

    So i am first year student in uoft, I was taking 3.5 credit courses and now i have failed 1.5 and others marks are too handy-dandy as well. I am worried about how this might affect my gpa and i feel like crap thinking about all this. Do you have any suggestion to make somehow dissappear?? also should i consider taking it again?? they were not really the courses that interested me so yeah m not kin on taking it again… please help!!!!
    stressed head

    ??????????????????????-

    Hey stressed head!

    Sorry, no disappearing acts here. If you figure out one, I suggest to patent that shiz and sell it for a high price to desperate students.
    There is nothing you can do about those grades now, so there is no point thinking about them constantly. Many … many … maaany first years have terrible marks. You still have 3-4 more years to make up your CGPA.

    Now about repeating those courses! If you got hit by a car and hated it, would you step in front of another one to see if the second time was better. If you said yes, stop reading … and maybe go seek alternative help. If those courses are not a requirement for your prospective?field?of study?and you did not enjoy them, then don’t take the course?again.?If they are required courses and you?have to take?them again, take it with a different professor.

    Im a huge fan?of ratemyprofessors.com ?to find out what other students thought of the profs and the anti-calendar?can tell you what students thought of the course. Trust me … a little research can make or?break the courses that you choose.

    The school has multiple resources to help you through the first year … because if they didn’t they would lose a lot of tuition money if everyone dropped out of school … academic advisors, career center, writing center, alcohol (I’m?joshin’ you?about one of these, you choose which).
    And if worst comes to worse start a band because Stressed Head seems like an awesome band name to me.

    forever and always babe,

    aska

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  • history

    1 course + 2 course codes = happy wittle students

    June 5, 2012

    Hey Aska,

    I wanted your advice on something. I took a class this present year (at UTM), and it was a fourth year history class. This summer I was looking for a history class to take during the day because I work afternoons and I signed up for a second year history class. I just realized it’s the exact same class with the same teacher, except it’s course code is different. I’m wondering if there are rules against taking this class, because it seems like the exact copy of the class I took this year except for the course code.

    Thanks,

    Confused!

    ———————————————

    Exclusions babe.

    Check the course calendar and see if either course has “Exclusion” written under it with the other course in question listed! If you are still concerned I would just give the History Department a shout and ask their opinion.

    If the courses are at different campuses (is that why you mentioned UTM?), then they might end up actually being the exact same course and not counting!

    ice cream and waffles,
    aska

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  • Flat Fees

    stop flat fees, stay back, dont touch my per course fees

    June 5, 2012

    Hey aska,

    You are wonderful.

    I am about to embark next year on the dreaded fifth year at U of T. I have heard several opinions from my fellow students about the following question and I hope you can put it to rest:

    Will I have to pay flat fees next year or will I continue paying per class?

    I am hoping for the former, so feel free to lie to me!

    Love,

    bank balance of zero

    ———————————————
    Hey Bank Zorro,

    My super sleuth partner found this ultra informative info:

    For the academic years 2011-12 and later
    Students admitted 2011-12 to the Faculty of Arts & Science to begin full-time degree studies
    will have their academic fees assessed on a program fee basis.

    – Students admitted for full-time study who enrol in 3.0
    – 6.0 full Fall/Winter credits are assessed a program fee.
    – Students admitted 2011-12 to study part-time who enrol in 0.5 – 2.5 full Fall/Winter credits will have their academic fees assessed on a per-course basis.

    This program fee policy applies to all students admitted in 2009-2010 with no previous post-secondary experience and all students admitted for degree studies as transfer students from other post-secondary institutions.

    Students with a registration in the Faculty of Arts & Science prior to Summer 2009 will have their credits assessed on a per-course basis until the end of the 2013-14 Fall/Winter session or until they graduate, whichever comes first.

    Students transferring into the Faculty of Arts & Science from another U of T division, i.e., students with a previous U of T registration will have their fees assessed as though they had a previous registration in Arts & Science, i.e., on a per-course basis.

    Fees in the Summer Session will be assessed on a per-course basis.

     

    In a few too many words they are saying that after 2013-2014, everyone will be paying flat fees. So you are in the clear … or are you? You did give me the lying option and I could really be lying in each and every post … or am I lying about lying … or lying about lying about lying … oooor … just kidding.

    forever praying for the green in the bank account,

    aska

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  • probation

    calmly freaking out over here on probation

    June 5, 2012

    Hey there!

    So I was put on probation after first year, did a summer course( passed but not enough to get of probation) and was able to move on to the winter term ( while still on probation). So fall/winter term? finished and I got my marks. I’m a part time student though and only completed 2.5 courses this year. Would I be not assessed because I didn’t complete 4.0 credits? Also, do they round up? I know I need a 60% avg or more to move on to the next term…I’m at a 59.6% fml. Just freaking out.

    Thanks!

    ??????????????????????-

    Hey Probator,

    Here’s the page from the Book of the Dead … I mean Course Calendar on Academic Standing:

    Academic Standing

    There are four kinds of academic standing which apply to students who have
    attempted at least four courses in the Faculty: In Good Standing; On Probation;
    On Suspension; Refused Further Registration

    Academic standing is assessed twice a year:

    1. At the end of the Fall/Winter Session; the GPAs used for this status
      assessment are the annual and the cumulative GPAs.
    2. At the end of the Summer Session; the GPAs used for this status assessment
      are the sessional and the cumulative GPAs.

    Note: Students who have not achieved final standing* in 4.0 credits will have
    a status of “Not Assessed”.

    In Good Standing:

    Students are described as In Good Standing if they are neither On Probation,
    Suspended nor Refused Further Registration; these terms are explained below. For
    students with particularly noteworthy academic results, there are three specific
    forms of recognition, which are described in the ?Student Services &
    Resources? section.

    Probation; Suspension; Refused Further Registration

    The following regulations apply to students who have attempted at least four
    courses* in the Faculty.

    1. A student shall be on academic probation who
      a) has a cumulative GPA of
      less than 1.50 or
      b) returns from suspension.
    2. A student who, at the end of the Winter or Summer Session during which he or
      she is on probation
      a) has a cumulative GPA of 1.50 or more shall be in good
      standing
      b) has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.50 but an annual GPA of 1.70
      or more (Winter Session)/sessional GPA of 1.70 or more (Summer Session) shall
      continue on probation.
      c) has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.50 and an
      annual GPA of less than 1.70 (Winter Session)/sessional GPA of less than 1.70
      (Summer Session) shall be suspended for one calendar year unless he or she has
      been so suspended previously, in which case he or she shall be suspended for
      three years.
    3. A student who, having been suspended for three years, is again liable for
      suspension shall be refused further registration in the Faculty.

    * “Achieved final standing” applies to courses in which a student remains
    formally enrolled on the last date for cancellation, unless the academic penalty
    normally attached to a later cancellation is removed by petition. This includes
    CR/NCR, but does not include courses with LWD or WDR.

    NOTE: Students ?On Academic Probation? may take no more than five
    courses in each of the Fall and Winter Sessions.

    Even though you are only a part-time student they will still assess your academic standing! They check out your grades after you have hit 4.0 FCE, and then they continue to look at them twice a year, after the Winter and Summer sessions. It is not after each 4.0 FCE you obtain.

    Happy News:
    Like how in the Metro today they put in between murder stories, that Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes have not broken up and that Brad and Angelina’s house smells like a sewer because their pipes are backing up. Your happy news … drum roll please … they will most likely round up. Transcripts do not include decimal places, so I’m assuming everything will be rounded up.

    ?forever rounding and loving,
    aska

     

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  • biology

    sometimes the hulk gets mad at course equivalencies too

    June 5, 2012

    Hi Aska,

    I’ve just been accepted into Humanities and Innis College! I live in British Columbia and apparently Math 12 here is not equivalent to “Calculus and Vectors” in Toronto. I applied for Humanities but I also want to take Life Sciences courses. I would have applied for Life Sciences, but I didn’t take Calculus in BC so I didn’t have the prerequisites. Will I be able to take Biology courses if I haven’t taken Calculus and Vectors? And if not, can I take some sort of calculus course in my first year so that I can take Life Sciences next year? Or if I take a year of Humanities is it easy to transfer into Life Sciences?
    I know that at UBC it is hard to transfer from the Arts Faculty to Sciences but since Arts and Sciences are one faculty at U of T, will it be easier?

    Thanks!
    N

    ———————————————

    <virtual fist bumb with explosion> Congrats N!

    Switching around programs at U of T is relatively easy as long as you are remaining in the same faculty. You are correct that Life Sci and Humanities are in the same faculty, so that portion of your academic life in working in your favour.

    The first year at U of T is a little bit of a place of limbo. You are in the school but you do not declare a Subject POSt (which is a fancy term for your fields of study) until you have completed 4.0 FCE (full credit equivalents) after your first year! So you may have applied to Humanities, and been accepted, but you can just as easily choose a field in Life Sci as your Subject POSt. Saying that, there is obviously complications. You must take the required courses, and obtain the required marks for the program you wish to enter in your first year.

    I won’t go fully into the complex ways of Subject POSts but know that a Biology Major just requires you to take specific courses, and not obtain specific marks (other than obviously passing the course).

    This is where you run into some brick walls. The first year Bio courses do not require Calculus and Vectors (quiet yaaay), but to apply for a Bio Major you will need some courses that do require the MCV4U. Here is a chart (**cough** bottom right) that tells you the equivalencies for the qualifications. Meaning that you need to take Calculus 12 or Calculus AP before you can take the Chem courses for the Bio major. You can take some sort of calculus course, but some sort has to be the specific highschool sort. You have to obtain the high school requirements before you can take the course! It’s been done, so contact your registrar or Bio department to look at ways of doing that.

    This is one of my pet peeves, not the kind that gets me hulk green angry but makes me have internal eye rolls, why Canada, why can’t you have one uniformed highschool classes game plan. Also, when the opening of the coffee lid falls on the cup fold and you end up spilling with every sip … but that’s besides the point.

    good luck young mountaineer,

    aska

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