Guide for New Students

Tips

The Office of the Registrar is where you go to talk to someone about course registration, tuition payments, OSAP, credit transfers, and more.

Staff are currently working remotely, and are here to help! You can reach them by phone or email.

Good to know

• There’s one deadline for paying your deposit and another for paying your tuition fees.
• Full fees are due by the 11th day of term.

Tips

Deadlines

• Pay attention to deadlines – don’t risk losing your spot in the program, not being able to register for courses or having to pay a late fee by missing a payment deadline.

Events

• Georgian has an events calendar so you can keep track of college events.
• The Georgian College Students’ Association (GCSA) also has an events calendar so you don’t miss fun virtual events like bingo, trivia, artist showcases, etc.

Tips

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

• Financial Aid staff are here to help with information about OSAP.
• Read through the FAQs on the Financial Aid page.
• Apply for OSAP at least eight weeks prior to the start of your academic year.

Awards, scholarships and bursaries

• Get college money you don’t have to pay back!
• More than $1 million is raised annually at Georgian specifically for awards and scholarships – this money is for you, take advantage of it!
• Fill out one application per awards cycle to be automatically matched with all awards, scholarships and bursaries you are eligible for.

Tips

When to register

Registration opens about one month before the term begins. To find out when your unique registration window opens, log in to Banner, go to Registration menu, and click on Check registration status. 

Banner login information

You’ll need your student number to log in to Banner. If you can’t locate it, you can email us your name, date of birth, address and program name and we’ll send it to you.

Good to know

After you register for your courses, you’ll be able to see your booklist in Banner by clicking on the View booklist link under the Registration menu.

Then, you can search for your books and supplies at Georgian Stores and place an online order. Georgian Stores’ primary goal is to ensure students are able to obtain course materials when they need them, at reasonable prices. All financial surplus generated by the stores is reinvested in the college for the benefit of students.

Good to know

Some programs have specific requirements like immunizations or police checks. Make sure you know what is required for your program and if you don’t understand the requirement, contact the program co-ordinator (listed on the contact tab of your specific program page on the website)

Tips

What is ONEcard?

ONEcard is the official Georgian identification card. Its features extend far beyond a simple ID – it’s your student card, library card, athletic centre card, and now a convenient payment for select on-campus and off-campus vendors – all in one!

Submit your photo online

If you’re a first-time card holder, you can submit your photo online!

Try to get your student card early so you can cross it off your to-do list.

Tips

Chances are you’re pretty good with technology but it’s still a good idea to get to know our systems before you get too busy with classes, assignments and, well, fun!

Tips

• There’s so much to do when you’re a new student, you probably don’t know where to begin! Why not start with a Head Start event?
• We can’t say enough how important it is to take part in Orientation. Why? Because it’s a proven fact that students who attend orientation feel more connected and get a better start.
• Want help transitioning into college life? Sign up for a peer mentor! You’ll be matched with an upper-year student who will show you the ropes.

Tips

We’ve built three online modules to help you learn about life at Georgian and what’s required of you as a Georgian student. Each of these modules can be found in your list of courses in Blackboard in the weeks leading up to the start of the semester.

• Orientation module – recommended for all first-semester students.
• Academic Integrity module – required for all first-semester students.
• Winter 2021 on-campus experience module – required for all students who will be studying on campus during the winter 2021 semester, to review COVID-19 safety protocols.

Tip

Georgian has lots of options for living both on-campus and off. Keep in mind that we don’t inspect off-campus housing listings so make sure you check out the place thoroughly before entering any kind of rental agreement.

*During the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact residence operators directly for questions regarding any changes in residence operations.

Tips

Fitness centres

• Georgian fitness centres are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic but take a look at our facilities which you’ll be able to use when it’s safe for them to reopen.

Varsity athletics

• Varsity athletics are also suspended during the fall 2020 and winter 2021 terms due to the pandemic. But check out our Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) and the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) teams for future tryouts and spectating.

Food services

• Check out your on-campus food and beverage options , as well as off-campus vendors who accept the Georgian ONEcard.

Good to know

Smoking-free campus

• Georgian is a smoking-free institution. You can’t smoke anywhere on Georgian property. If you’re a smoker, please plan your time on campus and allow time to smoke off site.

Recreational cannabis

• Recreational cannabis use is prohibited on campus. Students or staff who require the use of medical marijuana are required to produce documentation.

Sexual violence

• Georgian strives to maintain a campus free of discrimination and harassment. We have a process of investigation that protects the rights of individuals and holds individuals who commit an act of sexual violence accountable.

Campus closures

• Sometimes weather conditions lead to campus closures. Be aware of which channels to follow for news about campus closures.

Good to know

Student Remote Learning Kit

New to online learning? We know it’s a big adjustment! We’ve prepared a Student Remote Learning Kit with lots of great resources to help you succeed. Find out how to complete your courses online and how to get support remotely.

Georgian Learning Guarantee

Worried if online learning is right for you? For the winter 2021 term, we’re offering the Georgian Learning Guarantee. We want you to succeed, so much so, if you choose to withdraw from your program before Feb. 19, 2021, we’ll apply your tuition fees to the first semester when you return in May 2021, September 2021 or January 2022. You choose the program. All you have to do is reapply and be accepted.

Good to know

Georgian staff are here to support you in your academic journey. Here is a list of a few people and places you can refer to for help.

1. The student portal: This is your go-to website about student services. Begin here by doing some research.
2. Your student advisor: This is your first point of contact for personalized support. The name of your advisor will appear on the top left of your screen when you log in to the student portal.

Tips

Here is helpful information you need to get started on your journey to Georgian and to Canada.

• If you’re travelling to Canada, please review all of our COVID-19 FAQs for international students
• Download the winter 2021 pre-departure book
• Confirm your study permit
• Explore your housing options
• Complete your Head Start pre-orientation between Jan. 6 and 15
• Attend an international orientation info session between Jan. 12 and 15
• Check your Georgian email after Dec. 14 for details about your program orientation
• Bring proof of immunization records
• Learn about your insurance coverage from guard.me International Insurance
• Learn about your insurance coverage from mystudentplan via the Georgian College Students’ Association