Emergency financial support

What is a financial emergency?

  • No money for expenses such as food, rent, utilities, required technology for virtual and online courses and uninsured medical/dental bills
  • Pending eviction from your place of residence
  • Negative circumstances outside of your control

Pre-selection requirements:

  • You must be an enrolled student
  • You have investigated all other resources including OSAP, bursaries and awards
  • You have an immediate and unexpected expenses leading to financial hardship
  • You have eliminated unnecessary expenses from your spending plan
  • You are a student with domestic or international status currently living in Canada

What are my next steps to getting assistance?

  • Complete your AwardSpring Common Application if you have not already done so.  Click on the “AwardSpring” tile on your Mosaic home page to start.  Look for available Aid & Award opportunities on your AwardSpring dashboard. 
  • Install Microsoft Teams on your computer or mobile device.
  • Contact Student Services via online chat or in-person in GH 108. 
  • A video-chat will be scheduled for you to talk to a Student Services Professional regarding emergency financial support.
  • Connect with family and friends for support.
  • Take advantage of other McMaster and community resources.

On-campus resources

MSU Food Collective Centre

Offers services including monthly boxes filled with fresh produce, non-perishable food items and free pastries and fruits.

Mac’s Money Centre

Financial coaching, tax tips, preparing for life after university and more.

Student Accessibilty Services (SAS)

Provides academic accommodation assistance and related supports to students with disabilities

School of Graduate Studies

Academic, financial, and other supports for graduate students.

Additional Support

Good2Talk Helpline

Good2Talk is a free, confidential helpline (1-866-925-5454) providing professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being to post-secondary students in Ontario, 24/7/365.

Student Affairs Parents Page

Important information to help parents/guardians support their children through university

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