STUDENT FUNDING

On this page you will find various student funding options available currently through the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA). Instructions on how to apply for each funding option can be found below. All funding applications are reviewed confidentially on a case-by-case basis.

All required receipts must be submitted within three months of incurring expense.


Academic & Employment Support Funding

  • Students have opportunities to participate in events and activities that will expand their experiences, skills, leadership and academic potential. Through this fund the Association is committed to assisting students with personal, professional and leadership opportunities such as conferences, workshops, and certifications.

    This fund is only available to the members of the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), which includes all undergraduate students at the Peterborough Campus.

    Limitations: Awards will not be granted for the costs of degree or diploma related courses or course requirements. Travel costs are not eligible for reimbursement. Individuals will be limited to one application each semester. Applications will not be accepted 30 days after the expense in question. Please email finance@trentcentral.ca if you have any questions.

  • This fund is only available to the members of the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), which includes all undergraduate students at the Peterborough Campus

    The Association recognizes the need for students to access technology that supports their accessibility needs.

    Through the Association’s mandate to make post-secondary education more accessible and address systemic barriers in accessing education, this fund is available to assist students with purchasing accessories, software, and other devices recommended by Student Accessibility Services to help with any accessibility needs to attend school.

    Documentation confirming your need for accommodative accessible technology is required. This could include a letter from your SAS advisor, therapist, or doctor stating that accessing this technology would assist in your studies

    Receipts submitted must be dated within the last three months of application date.

    If you have any questions about your application or the application process, email finance@trentcentral.ca.

  • Shoot for the stars with student experiences!

    The Association recognizes the additional costs students incur while completing a required program placement or an experiential learning opportunity. We have created this fund to assist students who are in financial need and are facing the barrier of the additional costs associated with their placement or experiential learning opportunity. Costs can include, but are not limited to, travel, background checks, and equipment. Please note that this funding can not be put towards tuition, textbooks, and access codes.

    One application may be submitted per semester. This fund is only available to the members of the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), which includes all full-time and part-time undergraduate students at the Peterborough Campus.

    All applications are received by the President, who will present your application to the Finance & Operations Committee for approval. If you have any questions about your application or the application process, email finance@trentcentral.ca.

  • The Association recognizes the additional costs students encounter when obtaining mandatory qualifications for employment. We have created this fund to assist students who are in financial need and are facing the barrier of the additional costs associated with obtaining mandatory certifications or qualifications for employment. Training that can be reimbursed include, but are not limited to: Smart Serve, Food Handlers, CannSell, AODA, WHMIS Certification, CPR-C/First Aid, and Ontario Workplace Safety certifications. 

    If you are looking for other funding available from the TCSA, you can visit our funding page here: https://trentcentral.ca/student-funding

    Students can find workplace trainings through the following website: https://worksitesafety.ca/category/training/online/

    One application may be submitted per semester. This fund is only available to the members of the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), which includes all full-time and part-time undergraduate students at the Peterborough Campus. Approved applications will receive an 80% reimbursement up to a maximum of $200.

    All applications are received by the President, who will present your application to the Finance & Operations Committee for approval. If you have any questions about your application or the application process, email finance@trentcentral.ca.


Community Support Funding

  • The Association, through its mandate to increase the vitality of student life and the diversity of activities available to students through the financial support of student events, maintains this fund to assist members with the execution of a broad range of dynamic events and projects through partnership and sponsorship.

    Eligibility: Applications to this fund will be accepted from individuals, groups or organizations either wishing to partner with the Association on events or projects, or looking for sponsorship to fund existing events and projects. Events and projects will be broadly interpreted to include those for entertainment, socializing and community building as well as academic, political, education or social justice goals.

    Limitations: Student groups and established organizations shall be limited to one application every four (4) months.

    Please note: if you do not pick up your approved funding within six months and the cheque becomes stale-dated, we will not rewrite your cheque. Questions? Please email finance@trentcentral.ca.


Emergency Funding

  • The Association recognizes the unpredictable hardship and challenges students face while attending university. We have created this fund to assist students facing unexpected costs accrued through unforeseen challenges and emergencies. Please note that this funding can not be put towards tuition, textbooks and access codes, or other direct education costs.

    One application may be submitted per semester. This fund is only available to the members of the TCSA, which includes all undergraduate students at the Peterborough Campus.

    All applications are received by the President, who will present your application to the Finance & Operations Committee for approval. If you have any questions about your application or the application process, email finance@trentcentral.ca.

    Emergency Grocery Assistance

    Funds for the Emergency Grocery Assistance funding have been reallocated to both the TCSA Once Stop Chop food pantry located in our office and open to all TCSA members, as well as the Student Emergency Financial Assistance funding line, which can be accessed below.


Equitable Access Funding

  • G1 Test: In order to assist our students in obtaining their G1 licence the TCSA is offering an 80% reimbursement for the cost of your G1 Test and booking package ($159.75). Applicants have 3 months to submit their G1 Test reimbursement for consideration.

    Drivers Education: In recognizing how a lack of driving experience can have a negative impact on the high cost of car insurance premiums, the TCSA, working with AAA Best Driving School in Peterborough, have created an opportunity for students without driving experience in Canada to receive driver’s education at a reduced cost. This fund is only available to the members of the TCSA, which includes all undergraduate students at the Peterborough Campus.

    We have limited spots to assist students so please apply as soon as possible. Questions? Please email finance@trentcentral.ca.

  • This fund is only available to the members of the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), which includes all undergraduate students at the Peterborough Campus

    The Association recognizes the high cost of on-campus parking, and the barriers it creates to accessibility and equal access to education. We have created this fund for students in financial need who struggle to afford this cost. 

    Individuals may apply once per year with an annual parking pass, or once per semester with a semester-long parking pass. The TCSA will reimburse the following:

    • $150 of the year-long parking pass

    • $75 of the semester-long parking pass

    • $100 of the 8-month-long School of Education parking pass

    Those who have purchased the month-long parking pass or the premium parking pass are not eligible. This funding line is available on a first come, first served basis, until the funding line has been exhausted.

    Receipts submitted must be dated within the last three months of application date.

    If you have any questions please email finance@trentcentral.ca.

  • The Association recognizes the importance of an Ontario ID for international students as it pertains to housing, employment and access to community services. We have created this fund in partnership with Trent International (TI) to assist international students who are in financial need and are facing the barrier of the cost associated with obtaining their Ontario Photo Card.

    If you are looking for information regarding obtaining your Ontario Photo Card please use the following website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card

    One application may be submitted. This fund is only available to the members of the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), which includes all full-time and part-time undergraduate students at the Peterborough Campus. Approved Applications will receive a $30 reimbursement towards the cost of their Ontario Photo Card. 

    All applications are received by the President, who will present your application to the Finance & Operations Committee for approval. If you have any questions about your application or the application process, please email finance@trentcentral.ca.


Health-Related Supports

  • This grant is available to all Trent students at the Peterborough campus who have received a Gardasil vaccine from the Trent Wellness Centre.

    The TCSA is pleased to provide a 50% reimbursement . The Gardasil vaccine is administered in three shots, 3 months apart. The cost of each shot is $180.40. The TCSA will reimburse $90.20 per shot.

    Receipts submitted must be dated within the last three months of application date.

    Questions or concerns can be addressed to finance@trentcentral.ca.

  • This fund is only available to the members of the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), which includes all undergraduate students at the Peterborough Campus.

    This grant was created to provide trans and gender non-conforming Trent students access to the funds they need to purchase gender-affirming items or services. Items include (but are not limited to) binders, packers, hair removal services, name and legal document changes. 

    Maximum assistance is $250 a semester.

    If you are requesting funding for medical procedures or services please apply through our Health and Dental Financial Relief Assistance.

    Receipts submitted must be dated within the last three months of application date.

    If you have questions about this program please contact finance@trentcentral.ca.

  • This fund is available to all Trent students registered on the Trent Student Benefits Plan, on either the Peterborough or Durham campus.

    The TCSA offers funding for expenses Trent Benefit Plan members may incur that are not covered by the benefits plan or that exceed the plan limits. All expenses under the health and dental umbrella will be considered, including counselling, dental emergencies, eye wear, weighted blankets etc.

    Assistance can be requested prior to incurring the cost, or retroactively after expenses have been incurred.

    All applications are received by the Benefits Administrator and then presented anonymously for approval to the TCSA Finance & Operations Committee.

    Details to be included in this application include physician referrals or prescriptions, cost estimates or invoices, insurance coverage estimates, and a declaration of financial need.

    Questions or concerns can be addressed to Tracy Milne (She/They), General Manager, operations@trentcentral.ca.

  • This program provides Trent University students reimbursement for the purchase of a light therapy lamp for an amount up to $60 to assist with the prevalence of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the winter months. This fund is only available to the members of the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), which includes all undergraduate students at the Peterborough Campus.

    Some important considerations: make sure to purchase a light therapy lamp that does not utilize UV (ultraviolet) light. The lamp should be able to generate 10,000 lux of cool-white fluorescent light.

    If you have any questions about this subsidy, please email finance@trentcentral.ca.

    Funding open from Fall Reading Week to the end of Winter Reading Week.

    Receipts submitted must be dated within the last three months of application date.