Strike delays bursaries for cash-strapped college students

Julianne Albersdoesn't want toextend her credit card limit to buy groceries,but the Algonquin College student might have to if a province-wide strike by faculty drags on much longer.

Albers's phone and hydro bills are past due, and she's not sure where her half of next month's rent will come from.

Facultyat Ontario's 24 colleges walked off the job Oct.16, affecting500,000 students. Albersis just one of them.

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The26-year old is studying graphic design and supports herself with Ontario Disability Support Program payments, a provincial student loan and other grants.

I still have to support myself whether I'm in school or not.I have rent and bills to pay.-Julianne Albers, Algonquin College student

She's also come to rely on a $500 bursary, money that's helped her make it to the end of the fall semester for the last two years. She applied again in September, and was expecting to hear about the money last week.

Instead she received an email from the school informing her the fall bursaries have been delayed.

"It's the uncertainty about how I'm going to manage my finances," Albers said.

College blames work stoppage

In an emailed statementAlgonquin College saidthe fall bursarieswill be awarded, but not on schedule.

"Due to the work stoppage, it is as yet unknown if or how the study period will change.If it is extended, the assessment of student need and bursary amounts could change," the college said.

The college awards bursaries in the fall, winter and spring. According to the college, 3,500 students received an average bursary of $500 in November 2016.

Albersargues the payout schedule shouldn't be tied to how the college decides to reorganize classes stalled by the strike.

"Even if they condense the semester and we technically have lesstime in school, I don't see how that constitutes needing less income, because I still have to support myself whether I'm in school or not.I have rent and bills to pay."

Turned to food bank

Alberssaiddespite trying to remain "fiercely independent," she's had to turn to community supports to survive.

Itsucks when you think you're goingto get this reliefand then it doesn't come.- Victoria Ventura, Algonquin Students' Association

"I've had to access the student food bank, and [I'm] actually getting help to pay my bills from my church. And I don't like the way that makes me feel."

Victoria Ventura, president of the Algonquin Students' Association, said she'shearing similar stories from other worried students.

"There's so muchstress and anxiety that comes from the uncertainty of the situation," Venturasaid. "Itsucks when you think you're goingto get this reliefand then it doesn't come."

Ventura said she's directing students to the student food bank and the college'sfinancial aid office, which can allotemergency aid.

"Financial aidis always an option for students," the college said in its statement. "Emergency awards often include food, shelterand medical needs."