Financial distress

How we can help

If you are facing financial concerns, you can schedule a confidential advising appointment with an Enrolment Services Advisor (ES Advisor). An Enrolment Services Advisor will work with you to develop the best course of action and review resources available to you.

To determine if you have an assigned advisor, check the UBC contact listed in the Personal Info section of your Student Service Centre (SSC). If you do not see an assigned ES Advisor contact, please submit your request online and an ES Advisor will connect with you directly.

ES Advisors can help you create or adapt your financial plan when unexpected situations arise. Example situations for which students have reached out include:

  • An unexpected change in living situation
  • Food insecurity
  • Delays in transferring funds out of a country
  • Illness or death in the family
  • An exceptional medical situation
  • Other unforeseen circumstances you could not have planned for

Emergency Funding

Sometimes, even with the best planning, you may run into a situation that is out of your control and you may need help to deal with the problem. One option might be short term, usually one-time, emergency funding to help cover a shortfall due to an unexpected emergency situation when no other financial options are available.

Examples of emergency funding cases

  • A student’s rental unit flooded. Despite having rental insurance, the student did not have the $250 needed to help pay for some of the cost associated with moving suddenly.
  • A student became ill and required a specialized diet that doubled their food budget for 2 months. The unexpected grocery bill was over the regular budget for a total of $300.

Some items that UBC does not provide funding for are tuition, student fees, credit card payments, car payments, gym membership, pet care, and more. Please connect with an ES Advisor for a full review of your situation.

What to expect

ES advisors are not here to tell you how to spend your money. They are here to support you with immediate, medium, and long-term financial wellbeing. When meeting with an ES Advisor, you can expect to be heard without judgment. 

An ES Advisor will work with you to review your personal finances and make sure you are aware of all the financial resources available to you in your particular situation. This can include exploring resources like student loans, scholarships and bursaries, and/or Work Learn and student employment. 

Other financial resources

Student support and resources

UBC staff are here for you during these uncertain times. Learn whom to contact for assistance with academics, money, health, and more.

See your options

If you need help

You can contact your Enrolment Services Advisor directly. If you don't have an assigned advisor, they are still available to help.

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