UBC Student Financial Support Project - University of British Columbia

Summary of Benefits
- Review comprehensive financial package with merit based and needs based awards annually
allowing for financial certainty
- Process will be publically communicated and transparent
- Allocation of financial aid to neediest students first
- UBC specific bursary process de-linked from student loan system
- UBC specific cost of living and contribution assessment tools
- Emergency funding still available to all students
- Streamlined operations and processes for all awards
- Derivation of maximum benefit to students from financial aid and awards budget
Progress to Date
Funding to support the undertaking of this project was approved by the UBC VP Finance in December
2012. The project underwent a Request for Proposal process to select a vendor to design the systems for
the project from January-March. The vendor team will begin to design the systems in May 2013 with an
estimated project completion date of March 2015.
Consultation
Over the last academic year, Enrolment Services engaged in consultation with the AMS and GSS
executives to discuss the project vision and scope to develop an ideal future state for financial support
at UBC. This feedback was taken into account when designing the proposal taken to the university
executive for approval. A presentation about the project was made to AMS council on January 23 rd 2013.
At this presentation, Barbara Crocker indicated that over the next academic year there would be further
engagement with the AMS and GSS in designing the systems and financial profile as well as broader
student consultation and communication.
Issues and Opportunities for Consideration
Development of UBC Specific Cost and Contribution Assessment Tools
A key part of the infrastructure design will include developing a financial need assessment tool based on
the real costs of attending UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanogan. This presents an opportunity for the AMS
to take part in shaping this cost of living table on an annual basis to reflect the cost of education for
students. This also presents a very exciting opportunity to finally define what affordable housing is for
students, something that has come up numerous times in our work around advocating for affordable
housing options on-campus.
In addition to developing a cost of living assessment, the process will also develop a student/parental
contribution table. An issue that has surfaced many times in relation to the student loan allocation
process is whether the expected parental contributions are realistic. This process will allow students to
voice their views on setting realistic family contribution expectations.
Changes to Process and Allocations
With the changes being implemented through this project, the financial aid process will be opened up to
all students, but the pool of funds in the financial aid pool will remain the same. As a result, some
students will not receive as much money as they have received in the past. There are many issues that
may arise from this, but it is important to realize that this process will strive to fill unmet need of
students with the greatest demonstrated need first and work its way up. Although certain students will
receive less money than before, others who previously received no institutional support will know be
Office of the AMS Vice President, Academic and University Affairs
April 10, 2013