Welcome to Finances Matter

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Welcome to Finances Matter!

• Welcome DayAugust 7, 2009

Presented byOffice of Student Financial Aid
Scholarships (SFAS) Student Accounts Cashiers
(SAC)
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FIPPA Freedom of Informationand Protection of
Privacy Act

• Respecting your privacy and your personal
  information is a priority for us. McMaster
  Universitys management of personal information
  is governed and bound by the Freedom of
  Information and Protection of Privacy Act
  (FIPPA)
• All students will be required to provide their
  Student ID card when requesting information or
  when picking up documentation
• Parents, family and friends will NOT be provided
  with any personal information. They may make
  payments only if they have your Student ID card
  or number
• Students must give signed authorization when
  requesting transcripts or certification of
  enrolment letters or forms
• Students are encouraged to look up information
  online through MUGSIand to use their McMaster
  email address for all correspondence within the
  University

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Office of Student Financial Aid Scholarships
(SFAS)

• Gilmour Hall, Room 120
• [phone] ext. 24319
• e-mail awards_at_mcmaster.ca osap_at_mcmaster.ca
• web http//sfas.mcmaster.ca

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Office of Student Financial Aid Scholarships

• We are more than the OSAP office! Visit us
  for
• Federal Provincial Student Aid Programs (e.g.
  OSAP)
• Entrance, In-course External Scholarship
  Programs
• University Bursary Programs
• Work Programs
• Confidential Counselling
• Budgeting Strategies Tips
• GET TO KNOW US WERE HERE TO HELP !

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As you begin University

• Tip 1 You Must Apply to Qualify!
• Did you apply for OSAP? Did you know that by
  applying for OSAP you could be eligible for our
  bursary and work programs and the Provincial
  Textbook Technology Grant? Apply today, its
  not too late! Apply less than 45 days into your
  study period to ensure maximum entitlement.
• Visit the OSAP Access Window fora funding
  estimate, tips and more at http//accesswindow.os
  ap.gov.on.ca
• Tip 2 Be Aware! Monitor Your OSAP Application
  Online.
• Has your application been submitted properly and
  has it been processed? Monitor your application
  online under Check Status at http//osap.gov.on.
  ca. All supporting documentation and signature
  pages must be forwarded to SFAS for processing.

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As you begin University

• Tip 3 Lacking Proper ID ?
• In order to pick up your loan, you must be a
  fully registered student, and you must present
  the following identification

PLUS one of
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As you begin University

• Tip 4 We Want to See You!
• Dont be shy! You must pick up your loan
  document in person with proper ID and your
  banking information. Watch our website for OSAP
  release dates, times and locations.
• Get to know us
• Our knowledgeable and friendly
• staff will be happy to help you
• with your financial questions
• and issues.

Liz
Anita
Wendy
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As you begin University

• Tip 5 When Its Not Enough!
• Funding too low? If you dont think you have
  enough money and did not receive the maximum OSAP
  assessment, drop in to see a Financial Aid
  Counsellor to review your OSAP application and
  investigate if there are appeals available to
  you.
• Tip 6 There Are Programs Available to Students
  With Permanent Disabilities
• Contact the Centre for Student Development or a
  Financial Aid Counsellor in SFAS for details on
  programs available to students with permanent
  disabilities.

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As you begin University

• Tip 7 Report Changes!
• You must report any changes in status to SFAS in
  order to maintain your eligibility for loans,
  bursaries, scholarships and work programs
• For Example,- Change in Personal Income-
  Parental Earnings- Marital Status- Address
  Change- Drop/add courses- Program changes-
  Withdrawal from school- etc.
• Change Happens!

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Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships

• Did You Know ?
• Your award can be seen on MUGSI under My
  Financial Aid Scholarships and, once paid to
  your student account, it is available as a
  payment option on your Payment Agreement.
• In order to retain your award, you must remain
  registered as a full-time student (minimum 24
  units).
• A transcript notation of your achievement will be
  available in January.

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Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships

• If you have any questions about your entrance
  award or should you require a scholarship letter,
  please contact awards_at_mcmaster.ca.

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The Mystery Behind Bursaries

• Mystery 1 What is a Bursary?
• A bursary is funding for students who
  demonstrate FINANCIAL NEED it is not a loan and
  does not require repayment.

Mystery 2 Where Do Bursaries Come From?
Bursary funding is made possible through
institutional funding and generous donors to
McMaster. If you receive a donor bursary, PLEASE
write a thank you note to the donor and we will
deliver it for you they love to hear from the
students they support.
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The Mystery Behind Bursaries

• Mystery 3 How Do I Qualify and Where Do I Sign
  Up?
• To be considered, you must have applied to a
  Federal or Provincial Student Aid Program such as
  OSAP or otherwise demonstrate significant
  financial need. Applications are available
  on-line through MUGSI please check our website
  for application dates and deadlines at
  http//sfas.mcmaster.ca. You may receive only
  one McMaster bursary per academic year.

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Work Programs and YOU
Work Programs

• Provide a way to supplement your income while you
  are studying 10 hours per week on campus
  possibly in your area of study
• Allow for flexible scheduling in order to make
  your academics your first priority
• Are located where you are - on campus
• Present you with the opportunity to build a
  relationship with your University
• Offer you the ability to develop work-related
  skills and habits
• Look great on your resume

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Work Programs and YOU

• An application is just a click away. Apply
  on-line through MUGSI starting August 1st for
  fall/winter work-study and March 1st for summer
  work (note in order to qualify for fall/winter
  work-study, you must have applied to a Federal or
  Provincial Student Aid Program such as OSAP or
  otherwise demonstrate significant financial need)
  
• Jobs are posted regularly on-line at
  http//careers.mcmaster.ca
• Opportunities include (but are not limited to)
• Research Assistant
• Daycare Assistant
• Library Support
• Website Assistant
• Administrative Assistant
• Media Library Clerk
• Personal Trainer/Fitness Leader
• Grounds Keeper

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Be A Budget Builder!

• Budgeting is about understanding how much you
  earn how much you spend (on what!) and the
  difference between your income and expenses.
• Make a BUDGET and stick to it! Use our
  interactive budget worksheet BUDGET BUILDER or
  play our on-line budgeting game BUDGET BONANZA
  to see if you are a financial survivor!
• Avoid Financial Stress! Use your budget as a
  spending plan and take control of your finances.

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Student Accounts Cashiers (SAC)

• Gilmour Hall, Room 209
• [phone] ext. 24478Email
  student.accounts_at_mcmaster.ca
• Website www.mcmaster.ca/bms/student
• Our website is your 1 source for Fees and
  Student Account information! Visit often for
  important message updates, frequently asked
  questions and important dates and deadlines you
  need to know.
• Special features on our website include a Parents
  Page, geared specifically for parents related
  questions, a Video to help familiarize you with
  navigating through your Online Account Statement
  and quarterly Newsletters with helpful reminders
  and tips.

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Student Accounts Cashiers

• We are responsible for FINANCIALLY REGISTERING
  each student
• In addition, we are responsible for all funds
  received by the University
• We offer a VARIETY of Payment Plans and Payment
  Methods to help students meet their financial
  responsibilities
• NEW This Year Student INTERAC Online
  Payments, made directly through MUGSI or by using
  the Pay Now button on your Payment Agreement
  and Account Statement. Your payment will appear
  in the Account Statement INSTANTLY!
• We are centrally located in Gilmour Hall, Room
  209 Customer Service Representatives and Credit
  Counsellors are available to help with in-person,
  phone or email inquiries

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Helping You Account for Your Student Account!

• 1. ONLINE Communication!
• Enable your McMaster email this is our way to
  communicate with you.
• Activate your MacID and log on to MUGSI to access
  many of the systems below and much more!
  Check BOTH regularly
• 2. Make sure your ONLINE registration is
  complete Confirm your ONLINE Payment
  Agreement.
• Its Part 2 of your SOLAR registration
• Its a payment contract between you and McMaster
  (The PA acts as your bill)
• Its updatable
• Its mandatory
• Be sure to scroll down and read the Payment
  Schedule, Messages and Terms Conditions.

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Helping You Account for Your Student Account!

• 3. Check your student Account Statement ONLINE
  regularly please!
• Log on to MUGSI
• Click on My Student Accounts and Cashiers
• Click Account Statement
• Select the start month you wish to see and click
  Submit
• WHY should you check regularly? - You have the
  right to know what is being charged to your
  student account and that your payments have been
  received. Need help navigating? Watch our
  video http//www.mcmaster.ca/bms/student/SAC_v
  ideo01.htm4. Tax Certificates - ONLINE
  (T2202A)
• Log on to MUGSI
• Click Tax Certificates
• Read the important T2202A information
• Click Tax Certificate for the year
  required Not able to view? See our Tax Special
  Edition Newsletter http//www.mcmaster.ca/bms
  /student/SAC_newsletters.htm

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Helping You Account for Your Student Account!

• 5. Make your payments ONLINE!
• NEW this year
• Make an INTERAC Online payment through MUGSI or,
  click the Pay Now button from your Payment
  Agreement or Account Statement and have your
  payment show INSTANTLY!
• Online/Telephone Banking
• Log on to your banks website and select Online
  Banking
• Add McMaster University as a New Bill to pay.
• Enter your 7-digit student ID as the requested
  account number.
• Payments take 3-5- business days to show in your
  Account Statement.
• Why stand in line? Its safe and secure. INTERAC
  Online or Online / Telephone banking are
  McMasters preferred method of payment!

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Now That Your Payment Agreement is Complete, What
is Next?

• You will not receive an invoice. Please refer to
  your Payment Agreement and Student Account
  Statement on MUGSI.
• Be sure to follow up with your Payment as
  outlined in the Payment Schedule and Messages
  section on the PA.
• The following date should be noted
• SEPTEMBER 1st
• All Balances Due, outlined in your PA, are due
  on this date. Note that a 35.00 Payment
  Agreement Default Fee will be assessed if you
  have not followed through with your Payment
  Agreement instructions.
• All Payment Agreements confirmed after this date
  will be charged a Late Registration Fee of 50.

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Thank You for Your Participation!

• Questions Answers

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Contact Us

• Office of Student Financial Aid Scholarships
• Gilmour Hall, Room 120
• [phone] ext. 24319
• e-mail awards_at_mcmaster.ca osap_at_mcmaster.ca
• web http//sfas.mcmaster.ca
• Student Accounts Cashiers
• Gilmour Hall, Room 209
• [phone] ext. 24478e-mail
  student.accounts_at_mcmaster.ca
• web www.mcmaster.ca/bms/student
• Resource 2006 Finances Matter! Presentation
  Prepared by SHEEZO Multimedia Design