reachystik

You just need to make a budget. If you are moving to a new area, start searching around to see what the costs of living are (rent, food, utilities). Check out what grocery stores there are (where are the deals, better value for your dollar), check out student discounts for utility packages (tv/phone/net), if you're lucky to get an assistantship you may also find yourself with health benefit perks, etc. Some stores have a perks card (some are annoying and are not really worth it, but if you research some are "worth it"). I've flown home with airmiles before, and I've used airmiles to get giftcards for restaurants. Just do it smart and don't buy things you don't need, like buying 5 jars of peanut butter because it gets you 30% more points on the perks card. The biggest challenge I found in budgeting was the meal part. I made up my own meal schedule, and it ended up costing me more. I caught this mistake quickly (after reviewing my bank statements and adding up every time a pizza was ordered, or I went to a convenience store because I chose to eat dinner at 2am). Seeing the amount I was spending on take out food that offered zero nutrition (and only getting 1 meal out of it), I thought of how much I could have bought at the grocery store. You just have to be disciplined with your money. And take advantage of campus lunches. I know at my school there's been some departments that offer a weekly themed meal, you just have to bring your own container and cutlery and it's cost that's starving student friendly. I have also made sure to have enough saved up to cover 3 months of bills for those "what if's". I hate surprise bills but feel better when I know I have an emergency fund for those reasons. It came in handy when my significant other thought it would be a good idea to flush a hearty pot of borscht down the toilet and it clogged so bad we needed an emergency plumber. At 2am. I've applied for as many random bursaries/scholarships I can find. It's well worth taking a few days to fill out applications for bursaries & scholarships, you never know if you'll get it... like the bursary available for a student who holds a parking pass (this was available at the school I attended) and I won it. Who doesn't love $200 bucks! For the master's degree I received funding through an assistantship. There were different options on how you wish to use it, and I set it up so I'd have a biweekly income (just over $510 dollars, plus full health/drug/dental benefits). I also received an OGS for the 2012-2013 year (felt GREAT to finally win an award based on merit alone... and NOT for being poor. I had OSAP too for this year (last year of it... NO MORE FOR ME!). For this winter term I was lucky when it came to my practicum placement. A funded placement was not a guarantee but I managed to be placed at one that paid me out a very generous stipend. It's also been bittersweet and sad regarding funding. My line of credit was paid off after my dad passed away in September (he was my cosigner on an insured line of credit- insured for both life & critical illness insurance). The bank refunded all of the payments I made back to the date my dad was diagnosed with cancer. I used this money I wasn't expecting and paid off my credit card. So I am walking out of school with a loan debt but I am confident that I've learned how to budget wisely and be smart and responsible with my money. I didn't go out drinking with my osap in first year, nor have I gone away for spring break on my osap. I did use my osap to travel back and forth from campus to home...but for damn good reasons of spending more time with my dad (and my mom who's now recovering from another stroke). When both of my parents were diagnosed with critical illnesses (cancer & lupus), I spoke to the grad department and discussed my concerns. They put together a compassionate care bursary for me to help me travel back and forth. For 5 years of school (September 2008-April 2013) I've completed an undergrad and in one month I will have completed my master's, and the debt I will owe is just over $50000 (all from OSAP).

"As you are aware, you have been placed on the waiting list for the 2012-2013 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) competition. I am pleased to inform you that you have been moved from the waiting list to the successful list, and are being offered an OGS award for the 2012-2013 competition. Congratulations!" After freaking out about OSAP and then fixing OSAP and signing those forms, and then seeing this email in my account today.. I'm.... shaking my head... in both a face-palm/celebratory fashion. Good luck to the rest waiting on the list- I hope you get this email too! I just checked my OGS account and the account hasn't update the info yet.

nope, i was able to log back into mine and it still says wait list. what disciple code stream are you "waiting" in? i'm social sciences 201 applied social science (research in gerontology)

No, I have not come across anything like that.. but did fight alongside my spouse when he had to go through similar bullshit. He had two undergrad degrees (BA in Anthro & an HBA in history), and wanted to apply for a MA in history. His grades were not stellar so they told him to go back another year and upgrade and if he received 80's they would guarantee him a spot (this was one of the department heads who although challenged him, he wanted to see him succeed and be the best he could be). In this time this same department head mysteriously resigned and the department shifted toward history (specializing in europe, wars, etc) to women studies history. My spouse was treated unfairly in these new classes (the ones to bump his grades up) and collectively, it appeared as though many of the males in the class performed poorly when compared to the females. There were no foundation general theory courses for the history class... you know, the ones that would be embedded in historiography,etc. The theory courses in this HBA history program were feminist-based that really played up the idea of "history is written by men and they had it all wrong". When he applied again for graduate studies, he was rejected. He tried two more times... only to be rejected again. He applied at another university and they recognized that his grades were not stellar, and they gave him a probationary 1 year term at part time to prove himself- which he did. It's a little ridiculous because this university that offered this probationary term is one of the best universities in Canada... and this other one is nothing special at all. He fought tooth and nail and the only advice they offered him was to come back another year to upgrade more undergrad courses (aka... spend more money here!). He's still speaks with the department head who mysteriously resigned. According to him the history department is under investigation for their admissions decisions, and he resigned because he did refused to go on with departmental bullshit. The grad studies at this school also joined "the fight" because they could not believe he was rejected. It was an interesting and eye-opening day when my spouse went to the grad office and told them that he was taking courses through this better university.. they were so proud of him and celebrated that good news. I guess from that experience, don't give up. Make noise?

Would it be useful to bring this issue to a student affairs/ ombudsman? I am so sorry that this has all happened, what a cruel way to treat someone. Overly enthusiastic recruitment people promising exactly what any grad student wants to hear, should ensure that communication is grounded in honesty and clarity- it's due diligence to make sure that students understand the message. This is completely impossible when recruiters colour their language with pizza, promises in an enthusiastic tone. Nothing is set in stone, yet why taunt and tease an individual with promises like this and then leave them hanging? Shitty news is shitty news, but it stings less if you are told ASAP so that you can move on and have the opportunity and time to consider all other options and plans.

Yes, I agree- I am on the waitlist and I would rather know yes or no. "maybe" doesn't cut it. it's like...if you are going to shoot me, shoot me dead, don't leave me here bleeding!

Has anyone before done so themselves (or know of someone who has), been placed on the waitlist for OGS and has applied for OSAP loan as a back up? I don't want to add to my OSAP debt, but I don't make nearly enough money from my job, or have the time to work more hours (full course load this spring/summer, same for the fall, and the winter 2013 will be my practicum... 40 hour weeks..."volunteering"....) I'm just curious if anyone has been in that situation before... also.... if I apply for OSAP and then find out that I will get an OGS... what happens to that OSAP application? I'm terrified of OSAP, they are scary people.... so, just want to make sure I get the whole process, benefits, consequences, etc.

May 04, 2012 Adjudication Completed - On Wait List The Selection Board for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program (OGS) has completed the adjudication of candidate files for the 2012-2013 academic year. We regret that the Selection Board cannot recommend you for a scholarship in the first round of offers. However, your name has been placed on a wait list. Information is not available as to your rank on this wait list as it is not determined until such time a scholarship becomes available. A proportion of those who are successful in the competition will decline Ontario Graduate Scholarships for one reason or another. Scholarships made available by these cancellations will then be offered to applicants whose names are on the wait lists. It is only at this time that your ranking on the wait list is determined. Scholarships are offered up to and including December 2, 2012. Please note that this letter does not guarantee an offer of a scholarship. Your dossier was thoroughly reviewed by a panel of three distinguished professors working independently. The panel members' ratings and recommendations were forwarded to the Selection Board for consideration. It is not possible to appeal the Selection Board's decision, as it is based on an interpretation of your academic qualifications. Appeals based on the grounds of an error in administrative procedures may be considered, but only where clearly documented substantive grounds are presented. Such an appeal must be submitted to the ministry within 30 days of the date of this letter. We appreciate your interest in this competition, and wish you every success in your studies. Mother Effer.

I am losing my mind too. I have the opportunity to complete the practicum requirement of my program this summer (instead of in Winter 2013). If I can do this, I'd be done my MPH this December. But, I'm broke as a 25cent toy and can't afford to "volunteer" and complete my practicum (no stipend or funding offered for it). The only way I can justify accepting this opportunity is if my OGS application is successful. I have to let my department know by tomorrow if I want the practicum or not... No OGS means more hours at work+ full time course schedule this spring/summer.... I can't complete my practicum with all that going on. FRIG. i just want to know.

i just tried to check the online status and after logging into my account and selecting the OGS option... I was taken to this message: "Access to the online application and status is currently not available because of a scheduled update. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. Please check back later." SOON!!?????

Oh, I am guilty of this as well. And they say school makes you smart...

THANK you for posting this!

just now: "your wait time is less than 5 minutes" lovely piano music... "all operators are currently busy, please be patient and wait on the line for the next available caller" .... annoying piano music..... "all operators are blahhhhhhhhhhhh" .....10 minutes.... "you have probably been asked this question all week.... when will the results for the OGS program be announced?" "they are currently working on this program right now" "okay...so when do we find out the results?" "i was told letters will be mailed out between 2-to-4 weeks from today". "really?" "yes" "okay......will the results be updated online before the letters are mailed out?" "they are currently working on this program right now..."

I have been searching for financial aid for this unique situation (caregiver to both of my parents-lung cancer & systemic lupus..now both are on chemo- I'm providing care via long distance while I am in my courses, and in person when I am able to travel). I have found financial aid options for individuals with dependents...aka... children. I have not found anything yet for the other way around, and I am getting overwhelmed, frustrated and think there's nothing out there to help me. Before I throw in the towel and leave before my final year, I'm wondering, is there such a thing as financial aid for individuals like myself? It's a shitty deal either way, leaving means "hello OSAP & LOC payments on my $65000 debt" in a town where there are no good jobs (hence why I left to get a good education). But, continuing on this way is exhausting. Any advice? Slaps in the face from reality? I'm open to it all. Thank you.

Thanks! That's Bruno the big fat orange cat. Mid-yawn pictures are funny