Students attending mystudentplan table at an event

GCSA services

As a student at Georgian College, you have access to the many services that the Georgian College Students’ Association (GCSA) provides. Explore some of these services below.

Explore GCSA services

FoodLocker

FoodLocker

Operated by GCSA, the FoodLocker is an on-campus food bank for students in need.

mystudentplan

Student insurance

Your GCSA brings you student health and dental plan coverage at a discounted rate.

mywellness

myWellness

myWellness is a resource providing you with access to mental health and wellness information.

grad photos

Grad photos

Your GCSA brings photographers on campus at the end of each semester to take graduation photos.

FoodLocker

On-campus food bank

Operated by the Georgian College Students’ Association (GCSA), the Georgian FoodLocker is an emergency on-campus food bank for Georgian College students in need.

  • Sign up online
  • Pick up your grocery bag
  • Receive non-perishable food, hygiene items and sometimes fresh fruits and veggies!
  • Requests can be made every two weeks

Mission

Our​ mission is to provide temporary relief to students who require food assistance while providing opportunities for food security education.

Goals

  • Provide temporary relief to students who require food assistance
  • Understand the barriers to food security that have necessitated students’ use of the Georgian FoodLocker
  • Promote students’ food literacy skills; understanding the impact of food on health, and learning how to grow and prepare healthy, safe and nutritious food
  • Recommend actions the college can take to increase students’ food security

Food for thought – seriously, your brain needs it!

Please note: Requests are submitted through MyGCLife.


How can I donate?

Donations of non-perishable food items and hygiene products can be dropped off at the library or GCSA office. Financial donations can be dropped off at the GCSA office directly.

Some of our most-needed foods include:

  • canned vegetables
  • canned fruit/fruit cups
  • pasta and pasta sauce
  • cans of soup
  • cans of beans (any kind)
  • canned tuna, ham, chicken or turkey
  • rice

Questions?

If you have any questions about the FoodLocker program, please contact your campus rep below:


More on-campus support

For further help with food security, please refer to the following resources on-campus:


Where else can I get support?

In addition to the FoodLocker program, there are many local services in your area to support you.

View a comprehensive list.

Georgian FoodLocker logo
FoodLocker Barrie
Students helping at Georgian FoodLocker
Barrie Good Food Box
Barrie Good Food Box

Student insurance

Policy information

Your policy number is 163391. Your employee identification number is your nine-digit student number.

Frequently asked questions

Am I covered under this plan?Georgian College Chevron

Health and dental plans were approved by student referendum and as a result are now a requirement of your enrolment at Georgian College through your membership in the Georgian College Students’ Association (GCSA). The plans provide protection and security for eligible students, minimizing the effects of injury or ailments. The cost of the plans is included in your institutional fees provided you meet the eligibility enrolment criteria.

Eligibility criteria

  • you are registered as a full-time student with a minimum of four courses per term
  • you meet the full-time criteria for your program
  • you are residing in Canada
  • you are under the age of 70
  • students in apprenticeship programs are insured against accidental benefits only (see accident benefit brochure)
  • students with a disability:
    • students taking a part-time course load but are considered full-time by the institution (i.e. students taking a 60 per cent course load) may be eligible to opt in to the student health and dental plans. Please contact the GCSA Student Benefits Plan office for further details prior to the applicable deadline for your semester period of enrolment (Gallivan forms).

If you are unsure about whether or not you are eligible for the student health and dental plans, please contact a Benefits Plan office prior to any applicable deadlines.

What are the fees for the 2023-2024 health and dental plan?Georgian College Chevron
  • Fall 2023: $165.00 (for 12-month coverage period)
  • Winter 2024: $135.33 (for eight-month coverage period)*
  • Summer 2024: $105.67 (for four-month coverage period)

*Returning fall co-op students and other eligible programs in the winter semester will be assessed $165.00 (as the coverage started in the fall).

What benefits are included in the plan?Georgian College Chevron
Where do I send my health and dental claims?Georgian College Chevron

Eligible claims can be submitted to Canada Life one of three ways:

  • Online: Visit Canada Life
  • Mobile app: Download GroupNet Mobile from your mobile app store
  • Mail: London Benefit Payments, 255 Dufferin Ave., London, ON N6A 4K1
How do I use the plan?Georgian College Chevron
  • Download your benefit card – you may print or email the card (the card will NOT be mailed)
  • New eligible students will be added to the plan in the first 45 to 60 days of the semester (approximate) – please keep your receipts for eligible expenses incurred during this time period for submission to the insurance carrier upon completion of the enrolment process
  • Returning eligible students may continue to access the plan without disruption by using their benefit card or by submitting reimbursement claims directly to the insurance carrier
  • Simply present your benefits card at eligible services and ask if they can bill directly to the insurance company – if they are unable to, pay out of pocket and submit eligible receipts online for reimbursement at Canada Life
How do I opt out?Georgian College Chevron
  • You must have comparable alternative extended health and dental coverage to opt-out of the plan
  • Should you choose to waive your student coverage, you can do so online by completing the one-time opt-out form during your enrolment semester
    • To opt out, please see instructions
    • Sorry, we cannot make exceptions or extensions for students who fail to complete the online opt-out prior to the application deadline
If I previously opted out, will I need to do so again?Georgian College Chevron
  • No – your opt-out will carry forward as long as you haven’t had any interruptions in your full-time academics or missed co-op registrations on Banner
  • This is a one-time opt-out
  • Should you choose to opt out of the plan(s), your opt-out information will carry forward as long as you remain an eligible student at Georgian College
  • You may confirm your opt-out status prior to the applicable deadline by contacting your campus Benefits Plan office
Can I add my family to the plan?Georgian College Chevron
  • Yes, you have one opportunity each year (during your enrolment semester) to purchase family coverage for your spouse and/or dependent(s)
  • Complete the online family add-on request form before the deadline and pay the associated additional fee
  • Applicable deadlines:
    • September intake deadline is Sept. 30
    • January intake deadline is Jan. 30
    • May intake deadline is May 30

Find out more about plan coverage.

Review a list of fees and access the family add-on form.

All waivers and family add-on application forms must be received by the applicable deadline. Sorry, we cannot make exceptions.

Can I opt-in if I’m studying with a reduced course load?Georgian College Chevron

Students taking a part-time (60 per cent) course load but are considered full-time by the institution may be eligible to opt in to the student health and dental plans. Please contact the GCSA Student Benefits Plan office for further details prior to the applicable deadline for your semester period of enrolment.

Benefit Plan office locations

Barrie Campus

  • Room A159
  • 705.722.5181

Orillia Campus

  • Room A111 (GCSA Office)
  • 705.329.3114

Owen Sound Campus

  • Room D102 (GCSA Office)
  • 519.372.2617

South Georgian Bay, Orangeville, Midland and Muskoka campuses

  • Please contact the Barrie Benefit Plan office
  • 705.722.5181

Contact information

myWellness

Mental health and wellness support

One in five students suffers from symptoms of a mental illness – you don’t have to go it alone!

myWellness is your central resource providing access to mental health and wellness information on campus, in the community, and online.

myWellness logo
Welcome to your mental health support

Graduation photos

Capture your great achievement for a lifetime of memories!

Lassman Studios will be on campus at the end of the semester to take graduation photos.

Your sitting includes:

  • a minimum of nine unique poses from which you can view and order online
  • both traditional grad portraits as well as some fun style shots, if desired
  • friends or family; please bring them to your sitting
  • props including gowns, roses, mortarboard, graduating hoods, etc.
  • over 25 different backgrounds to choose from or upload your own!

Book your sitting

Don’t miss the opportunity for professional graduation portraits!

grad photos