How to get your money back post-college faculty strike

A week after classes resumed, Conestoga College opened its application for the Student Strike Relief Fund. It offers up to $500 for full-time students who "experienced unexpected additional costs" because of the strike.

Eligible costs include rescheduling traveland additional living expenses.

"We are encouraging students to go there and fill them in," Mike Dinning, vice president of student affairs, told Craig Norris, host of The Morning Edition on CBC Radio.

The application is available online through the Conestoga College website. Some questions that may be asked will pertain to rental extensioncosts, bus pass purchases and flight cancellations.

Dinning told CBC News the application is to calculate financial need. It will take into account other forms of financial aid a student receives for living expenses.

Students who receive OSAP may not get as much from the relief fund depending on their financial need, but receiving the fund will not affect their OSAP eligibility.

Adjudication for fund

Students will need to apply for the strike relief fund by April 27, 2018. They are also expected to submit receipts and other supporting documentation that provides "evidence of additional expenses."

Dinning said the adjudication process for relief fund applications will begin after Dec. 5.

It's not clear how long it will take for students to get their money, but Dinning said there are about four financial services staff who will be processing the applications.

"It's at the top of the priority list."

Students may be worried about the $500 cap, but Dinning said there is an appeal process if they're not happy with the decision.

"We will consider, even in the first evaluation, something more than $500 if there are valid receipts for that," he said.

To file for an appeal, students can fill out the Bursary Application for Strike form. Student Financial Services told CBC News the form will be available on the website in the next few days.

There is a separate appeal committee for the process and the student union, Conestoga Students Inc., is on the committee.

Full tuition refund

Dec. 5 is the deadline for students to drop out and receive the full tuition refund, including ancillary and student government fees they paid at the beginning of the semester.

The fund is only available for those who are staying to finish the semester. Students only have a few days left to decide which option they would want.

Dropping out completely may be an issue.

Kai Prince is a first year software engineering technology student. He told CBC News on Monday he considered dropping out but said he'll have to stay because the courses he would have to redo are already "completely booked and wait-listed."

But on Thursday, Dinning gave his assurance that students will be accommodated.

"There's going to be room made to ensure that all students that apply in January get in," he said.

However, for programs that only have admissions in September, dropping out now would mean students have to wait until next fall to redo their coursework.