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  • Biidaaban Community Service-Learning (BCSL)

    Biidaaban Youth Group
    Biidaaban Academic Support Tutor Report

    Biidaaban Community Service-Learning (BCSL) symbolizes the beginning of new partnerships designed to enhance the lives of students and communities.

    Pronounced bee-daw-bun, Biidaaban is an Anishinaabe term, meaning: ‘the point at which the light touches the earth at the break of dawn.’

    Community Service-Learning (CSL) is a form of experiential learning that addresses community needs. Faculty incorporate CSL opportunities in their courses for students to support community organizations in many ways. This interactive, reciprocal and community-engaged approach to education is followed by meaningful reflection to help consolidate notions learned in class and in community.

    A reciprocal relationship between faculty, community partners and students is central to CSL. Keep reading to learn more about how our office can support the CSL process.

    CSL Reciprocal Relationships

    Contact

    Community Service-Learning Officer
    Enji giigdoyang, Office of Indigenous Initiatives
    Nipissing University
    F215-D
    (705) 474-3450 Ext. 4772
    indigenousprograms@nipissingu.ca 

    Biidaaban works in alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, North Bay’s Urban Aboriginal Strategy, and the Office of Indigenous Initiative’s Strategic Plan to support local Indigenous community in meaningful ways.

    Nipissing University offers Faculty a number of administrative and logistical supports for the creation and delivery of experiential learning opportunities for their students via the Community Service-Learning program.

    Creating a CSL experience

    CSL activities address specific community needs. For example: housing, food security, mental health, advocacy, education, violence prevention, etc. They align with community partner mandates, goals and objectives. 

    To help build your CSL activity, ask yourself the following questions:

    • What are the goals and learning outcomes of my course?
    • Where, or how, could my students gain a greater understanding of these notions outside of the classroom?
    • What kind of experiential learning will benefit students in my course?  
    • Which community partner(s) might be a good fit for my course?
    • How does this relate to the organization's mandate?
    • What process will I require from my students to integrate placements? (interviews, training, etc.)
    • How many hours should I assign to this activity, 10 hours, 20 hours, 40 hours?
    • How will I assess student learning?
    • How will I connect their experiences to theory in the course? 
    • How will students record or share their experiences?
    • How will this benefit students, community partner(s), myself?
    • What reflective assignment will follow the experience?

    Once your activity has been developed, include the following in your syllabus:

    • CSL activity (marketing products, research, communication plan, outreach strategy, translation, fund raising ideas, etc.)
    • Name of community partner 
    • Corresponding reflective assignment (journal, year end presentation, essay, in-class discussion, etc.)
    • Grade (20 hours for 20%, 10 hours minimum for 5%, etc.)
    • Biidaaban Learning Series: BCSL offers a series of free training workshops for students entering CSL placements at Nipissing University. The workshop series typically includes Intro to Allyship, Sexual Violence and Prevention Training, Healthy Boundaries, and more.
    • Timeline (due dates, deliverables, etc.)
    • Roles and responsibilities (Faculty, student or student team lead, community partner, CSL Officer, etc.)

    CSL can be an optional, or required assignment for students in your class.

    The CSL Officer is available to meet with you to plan and brainstorm. We are also available to provide in-class presentations to introduce CSL at the start of the term.

    Why incorporate CSL into my course?

    • Supports community
    • Creates connections between community partners, faculty and students
    • Students gain volunteer experience
    • Students are more engaged in class
    • Students integrate classroom theory and experience
    • Facilitates a dynamic learning environment 
    • Opportunity for meaningful reflection 

    Administrative supports for Faculty

    A number of administrative and logistical supports are available to faculty for the creation and delivery of CSL:

    • Finding placement/volunteer opportunities for students
    • Liaising with community partners
    • Registering your students' CSL volunteer activities in the Record of Student Development (RSD) database
    • Ensuring students get their Police Vulnerable Sector Checks (PVSC)
    • Providing students with agreement forms to bring to their placement
    • Providing students with health and safety forms
    • Providing students with time sheets
    • Checking in with community partners
    • Aiding with travel plans, itineraries, and bookings (ex.: booking bus to Dokis First Nation) 
    • Getting students to complete online Health and Safety training
    • Room bookings
    • Smudge requests
    • Printing
    • In-class presentations
    • Conducting student interviews
    • Conducting student surveys
    • Attending in-class discussions and final project presentations

    Training

    To register for the Biidaaban Learning Series, or for more information, please contact the Biidaaban Community Service-Learning Officer at indigenousprograms@nipissingu.ca

    Certification

    Students who complete CSL projects or placements are eligible to receive a certificate from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives acknowledging their work in support of local community.

    What types of volunteer activities can students do while on CSL placement?

    Students put theory into practice to gain a greater understanding of Indigenous community and non-profits by:  

    • Assisting with programming, projects or events
    • Creating meaningful programming to support clients and community
    • Generating content, planning and engaging with social media 
    • Attending community meetings/events, board meetings, volunteer meetings, etc. 
    • Researching grants and writing proposals
    • Planning events and supporting logistics
    • Augmenting accessibility to resources 
    • Assisting with fundraising 
    • Creating and updating print materials and communication tools
    • Creating new resources for community partners and the people they support
    • Updating websites 
    • Entering data 
    • Building awareness
    • Administrative support
    • Recording stories and experiences 
    • Augmenting reach and visibility 
    • Translating
    • Assisting with strategic planning
    • Drafting and conducting surveys
    • Research
    • Developing marketing tools
    • Providing creative services
    • Developing strategies in response to presented challenges 
    • Participating in outreach and public education 
    • Advocacy work

    Connecting course content to community experiences

    This can occur through class discussion, one-on-one debriefs, sharing circles, check-ins, weekly journaling, blogging, or other methods of sharing.

    Faculty are responsible for initiating regular and ongoing discussion about student experiences. 

    The CSL experience allows students to connect course curriculum to what they learn in community. Consider asking why they think certain things might be happening: social issues, lack of human resources, funding, need for volunteers, etc. using lived experience as the starting point for reflection.

    CSL activities must be in alignment with the community partner's mandate, goals and objectives. It must enhance their capacity. Think of your intentions for student learning, the goals of your course and how this relates to the organization's mandate.

    Community partners

    You may already have a community partner in mind, or you may want to connect with partners who are familiar with this program, having hosted students in the past.

    BCSL would like to thank the following: North Bay, Nipissing First Nation, Dokis First Nation, Temagami First Nation, and surrounding area partners for supporting and providing Community Service-Learning opportunities to Nipissing University students:

    Reflective assignments

    Reflection is key to Community Service-Learning. Types of reflective assignments include: 

    • In-class discussion, discussion groups or debriefing
    • Journals
    • Essays
    • Collaborative projects
    • Oral presentations  
    • Portfolio
    • Group journal
    • Letter to self
    • Reflective interview
    • Artistic reflection

    Student assessment

    Marks may be tied to placement attendance, participation in group discussion, reflective assignments, and more. Remember, you are marking the reflection and learning that comes from placement experience, not the placement itself.

    Student learning is a combination of notions explored in community and in class. Reflective assignments and responses allow students to integrate knowledge and illustrate learning. 

    Attendance: Students may be required to complete a certain amount of hours (10, 20, 40, etc.). A time sheet helps them keep track of hours. This time sheet can be provided by the CSL team and should be signed by a placement supervisor to confirm attendance.

    The Biidaaban Community Service-Learning program connects community organizations with university students and faculty, to work on community generated projects for course credit. Read on to learn more about the various experiential learning opportunities you can create for students to support your organization. 

    In what ways can a student support my organization? 

    Students can support in a number of ways.

    They bring knowledge and skills learned in university courses to organizations, increasing their capacity to meet community needs.

    Project-based CSL. Community organizations submit projects to be completed by university students for course credit. The work is done in class,  under the guidance of the professor, and outcomes are shared with the community partner once finished. Students can support by:  

    • Developing marketing tools 
    • Creating social media content and other communications
    • Developing community outreach strategies
    • Drafting and conducting surveys
    • Assisting with programming, projects or events
    • Creative services
    • Maintaining engagement on social media platforms
    • Augmenting organization reach 
    • Creating meaningful programming to support clients and community
    • Entering data
    • Attending community meetings/events, board meetings, volunteer meetings, etc.
    • Support event planning and logistics
    • Administrative support
    • Researching grants and writing proposals
    • Assisting with fundraising 
    • Creating and updating print materials
    • Creating resources for community partners and the people they support
    • Hosting a Facebook live event
    • Reviewing print materials and online platform content, making recommendations
    • Participating in outreach and public education 
    • Advocacy work
    • Conducting research
    • Etc.
    Collaborations can take place in person, virtually or both. 
    • Community organization to touch base with the class, or designated leads, a few times during the school term for feedback.
    • Students to present project outcomes to organization.
    Other optional project components (virtual):
    • Students to attend staff, volunteer, or board meetings
    • Virtual tour of organization physical spaces
    • Meet and greet with other staff, clients, or other folks as requested 
    • Sharing Circles
    • Etc.

    How do I submit a project opportunity?

    To submit an opportunity, fill in the "Project Proposal Template" below. We will be happy to discuss ideas and answer questions! 

    Click here to download the Project Proposal template

    Timeline

    Students can provide from 10 to 20 hours of service per term. 

    • Fall term: September to November (Exams in December)
    • Winter term: January to March (Exams in April)

    Students provide, on average, 1-4 hours of service per week, spending time in class working on a project for the organization. Some courses last one term only (4 months) and others last the entire school year (8 months). Some courses are only offered in the first term, some are only offered in the second term. 

    Community organizations can choose to work with a class for one term only, for an entire school year, or with 2 separate classes during each term. Multiple projects can be submitted for students to work on.   

    A timeline should be developed between the community organizations and the class teacher. 

    Need a student for a single event?

    Submit project details to the Community Service Learning Officer at 705-474-3450 ext. 4772 or email indigenousprograms@nipissingu.ca. We will attempt to find a student or course group to collaborate with you. 

    Community Partners

    BCSL would like to thank the following North Bay, Nipissing First Nation and surrounding area partners for supporting and providing Community Service-Learning opportunities to Nipissing University students:

    Training

    To register for the Biidaaban Learning Series, or for more information, please contact the Biidaaban Community Service-Learning Officer at indigenousprograms@nipissingu.ca.

    Certification

    Students who complete CSL projects or placements are eligible to receive a certificate from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives acknowledging their work in support of local community.

    Common concerns about remote or virtual CSL experiences

    “Will my virtual CSL experience be as valuable as an in-person one?”

    A virtual experience is just as legitimate as an in-person one. You need these to build up your resume and your future careers. The BCSL team makes every effort to pair up students with projects and partners that work in fields of interest to students. Committing yourself to such an experience will serve you professionally in the future. Most learned skills are transferable. From working with children, organizing a fund raiser, producing a communication plan, hosting a Facebook event, doing online outreach or creating programming, these skills will serve you across many fields and in many professional settings.

    Since many students have had limited access to work since the start of the pandemic, a virtual placement or CSL project is as close as students can get to hands on, real-life experience. This experience could land you a new reference, a community connection, new perspectives. CSL allows students to gain access and insights into organisations like no other. 

    Additionally, many organisations have satellite offices, partners in other cities, clients in other territories and countries. Learning to work and connect with people from a distance will prepare you for a future career.

    “I was hoping to network with partners but am now unsure of how to build those relationships.”

    A huge part of the CSL experience is building relationships and networking with supervisors, colleagues, volunteers and clients. There will be opportunities to connect with folks via virtual team meetings, email, phone, and through your work. Positive interactions, be they virtual or in-person, do not go unnoticed. If you participate and contribute ideas, knowledge and positive energy to the CSL project, your investment will pay off. Think about ways that you can use networks like Zoom to help build relationships. 

    “Without in person supervision, how will I know what is expected of me?”

    The CSL project will be planned and reviewed ahead of time, and be presented to you in class, prior to starting your virtual placement, or CSL project. A timeline, list of roles and responsibilities, agreement forms, training, and a student handbook will also be provided. Setting clear expectations is the responsibility of the community partner and faculty. If something is not clear, it is your responsibility to ask for clarification. If you do have questions, ask yourself if you know how to reach out to your community partner representative, team members, classmates, and teacher?   

    Managing change 

    Change can be stressful. Self-care, communication and flexibility will be your best assets. Every effort will be made by the BCSL team, your teacher and community organisations to inform you of any possible changes and next steps as far ahead of time as possible. A lot of students have lost jobs, and opportunities in the future seem increasingly uncertain. Your supportive role, working collaboratively and productively on projects that aid community as a whole, is valuable. Always remember that you are not alone. 

    Questions about your placement

    Students who complete CSL projects or placements are eligible to receive a certificate from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives acknowledging their work in support of local community.

    Biidaaban Youth Group (BYG) is an after school program for Indigenous youth in grades 3 to 5.

    Nipissing University student employees support youth with their homework and host 1 hour of cultural, social and artistic activities.

    Program location

    Biidaaban Youth Group will take place in person* at the Treaty Learning Centre​​​​​​​ with the location still to be determined. 

    *Snow days: Biidaaban Youth Group will be offered virtually on snow days. Participants will receive materials at their place of residence at the start of the program. Links to join the sessions will be emailed the morning of the snow day. 

    Program hours and dates

    Biidaaban Youth Group takes place on Wednesdays, after school to 4:30 pm. 

    The Office of Indigenous Initiatives will arrange cab transportation for students to and from the campus. Contact us for more info.

    Youth registration 

      

    Parents of youth in grades 3, 4, and 5, attending schools in the Near North District School Board are invited to register their children in grades 3, 4, and 5.

    Niminowaazmin (Year-end celebration)

    Niminowaazmin is the Office of Indigenous Initiatives' year-end celebration for Biidaaban Youth Group and Biidaaban Academic Support, honouring the successes of participating youth, their families, as well as our partners, tutors, student volunteers and employees. 

    Niminowaazmin is an Anishinaabe word that means "we are celebrating".

    For more information, contact the Community Service-Learning Officer at indigenousprograms@nipissingu.ca

    Biidaaban Academic Support

    Biidaaban Academic Support (BAS) is a tutoring program for local Indigenous youth in grades 1 to 12, with a focus on mathematics and literacy. Nipissing University student volunteers offer one-on-one support, in-person or virtually, either during the school day, or after school hours.

    Parents/Guardians: Register your child for tutoring

    Please complete the registration form below and email to the Biidaaban Community Service-Learning Officer, at indigenousprograms@nipissingu.ca.

    Biidaaban Academic Support Registration Form

    Program Dates

    October to March. Schedules are adapted to student needs and availability. 

    Program Locations (schools)

    North Bay, Sturgeon Falls and Nipissing First Nation.  

    Eligible schools: Schools fall within the Near North District School Board, Nipissing Parry Sound Catholic District School Board, and Nipissing First Nation.

    Become a Tutor (for Nipissing University Students)

    Open to all Nipissing University students. Register as a tutor by contacting the Biidaaban Community Service-Learning Officer in the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, at indigenousprograms@nipissingu.ca, or drop-in at F215-D, in the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. You will be asked to participate in a casual interview. 

    Please bring:

    1. A copy of a valid Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
    2. Your class schedule 

    Community impact

    In order for us to measure the impact of tutoring supports for Indigenous youth and tutors, it is important for tutors to record their work by submitting tutoring reports online. Submit Tutor Report

    On average, students tutor for 1-3 hours per week throughout the school year.

    Benefits of becoming a Tutor

    Support Community

    • Connect with real people, share in their experiences, learn from them
    • Provide human resources where there is a need
    • Enhance social awareness and sense of responsibility
    • Get to know your community beyond the campus

    Professional Development

    • Meet people and network
    • Learn from experience  
    • Develop skills and broaden knowledge (critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, communication)

    Personal Growth

    • Gain perspective
    • Assess your strengths, motivations and passions
    • Increase understanding of concepts learned in class
    • Get to know yourself in different contexts and in relation to others

    Recognition

    The Office of Indigenous Initiatives recognizes the volunteer work of students in community. Biidaaban Academic Support is RSD approved. 

    For tutors who complete 10 hours or more of tutoring: you could be eligible to receive free training (webinars, workshops, etc.)

    Emailing the Biidaaban Community Service-Learning Officer, at indigenousprograms@nipissingu.ca for further information.

    Tutor Training

    In order to qualify for the Biidaaban Academic Support program, we ask that you take the time to view these 3 mandatory workshops (videos):   

    Support links:

    To register, or for more information, email Biidaaban Community Service-Learning Officer, at indigenousprograms@nipissingu.ca.

    Niminowaazmin (Year-end celebration)

    Niminowaazmin is the Office of Indigenous Initiatives' year-end celebration for Biidaaban youth programs including Biidaaban Youth Group and Biidaaban Academic Support, honouring the successes of participating youth, their families, as well as our partners, tutors, student volunteers and employees. 

    Niminowaazmin is an Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) word that means "we are celebrating".

    Virtual and in person activities to include traditional teachings, cultural and artistic activities, games, and door prizes. 

    Partnerships

    Biidaaban Academic Support is presented in partnership with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, the Near North District School Board, the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board, and Nbisiing Secondary School at Nipissing First Nation. 

  • Certificate Workshops and Event Requests

    Mental Health & Wellbeing Training Opportunities

    We are pleased to offer a variety of mental health training sessions for students, staff, and community members. These workshops are designed to enhance your knowledge and skills in effectively addressing mental health concerns.

    Upon completion, participants will receive a comprehensive resource book and an official certificate from the developer organization.

    Take advantage of this opportunity to gain valuable insights and tools for promoting mental health and wellbeing in your community.

    Group Training Sessions

    For groups of 15 or more, we can arrange a private training session. 
    Contact us at mhworkshops@nipissingu.ca to discuss your needs.

    Important Reminder:
    Registrations will close one week before the scheduled workshop date.

     Event Request Form

    Mental Health & Wellbeing is available to support on-campus events related to mental health and wellness.

    We also offer private certificate workshops for select groups (minimum requirements apply).

    Submit requests at least 8 weeks before your desired event date.

    Event Request Form

    Workshop Offered

    Workshop scheduling for the 2026–27 year is currently underway. Registration information will be posted here as it becomes available.

    safeTALK

    ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

    Small Talk

    • Duration: ~3.5 hours
    • Target Audience: Those working with children under 12
    • Overview: Learn to identify warning signs in children and explore intervention strategies through case studies.
    • Developed by: Centre for Suicide Prevention
    • Developer Website: https://www.suicideinfo.ca/workshop/small-talk/

    Mental Health First Aid: Adults Who Interact with Youth

    • Duration: 2 days
    • Target Audience: Adults working with youth aged 12–24
    • Overview: Learn to provide initial support to youth experiencing mental health problems or crises. Topics include:
      • Mental health problems & stigma
      • Substance-related disorders
      • Mood, anxiety, trauma-related, eating, and psychotic disorders
    • Developed by: Opening Minds Mental Health Commission of Canada
    • Developer Website: https://openingminds.org/training/mhfa/

    Looking Forward

    • Duration: ~3.5 hours
    • Target Audience: Individuals working with youth aged 12–24
    • Overview: Explore strategies that address the developmental, cognitive, and emotional needs of youth.
    • Developed by: Centre for Suicide Prevention
    • Developer Website: https://www.suicideinfo.ca/workshop/looking-forward/

    Workshop Policies

    Participation & Fees

    All certificate workshops offered through Nipissing University require a participation fee.

    Registration

    • Registration Deadline: Closes one week before the workshop date. If the workshop is full, you may email us to inquire about availability.
    • How to Register: All registration and payment must be completed online via the provided sign-up link. If you encounter issues, please contact us.
    • Workshop Availability: Courses are offered based on demand and may be cancelled if the minimum number of registrants is not met.

    Location

    Unless otherwise specified, all workshops are held at:
    Nipissing University
    100 College Drive, North Bay, ON

    Confirmation

    A confirmation email will be sent 5–7 days before the workshop, including room location and final details.

    Attendance

    • Full attendance is required to receive a certificate.
    • Participants who miss more than 20 minutes will not receive a certificate of completion.

    Accommodations

    If you require accommodations, please contact us in advance at:
    mhworkshops@nipissingu.ca

    Food & Meals

    Food and meals are not provided during workshops.

    Cancellations & Refunds

    We understand that plans can change. Please review our updated policy:

    • If we cancel a workshop (e.g., due to low registration), you will be notified at least 3 days in advance via email. You may choose to:

      • Receive a full refund, or
      • Transfer your registration to another available date.

    • If you are unable to attend on the day of the workshop, refunds are not provided. However, you may contact us to discuss a possible transfer, if space allows.

    • Refunds requested by participants:

      • Must be requested at least 5 days before the workshop date.
      • Will incur a $10 administration fee.
      • No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 5 days before the workshop.

    Contact Information

  • BIPOC Student Support

    To promote and be effective in addressing mental health for all, Mental Health & Wellbeing at Nipissing University uses a racial equity and intersectional lens to highlight, better understand, and effectively respond to the range of unique experiences held by students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour (BIPOC) in addition to backgrounds that vary by race, ethnicity, religion, and language. 

    Mental Health & Wellbeing acknowledges the racial disparities in mental health care. Research suggests that Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) compared to people who are white are: 

    • Less likely to have access to mental health services
    • Less likely to seek out services
    • Less likely to receive needed care
    • More likely to receive poor quality of care
    • More likely to end services prematurely

    Some of these barriers can be attributed to a variety of factors such as cultural stigma around mental illness, racism and discrimination, language barriers, a lack of health insurance, mistrust of mental health care providers, a lack of cultural competency on the part of mental health care providers, and a Eurocentric-Western worldview of psychology, mental health, and therapeutic modalities.

    BIPOC Student Support at Mental Health & Wellbeing provides the following services for BIPOC Students at Nipissing University:

    • Mental Health & Wellbeing staff provide culturally sensitive counselling and psychotherapy
    • BIPOC Individual Counselling: Choose to speak to a Racialized Counsellor
    • BIPOC Mental Health Practitioners within the Community (Ontario)
    • Ongoing collaboration with Racialized Student Groups and International Students to promote BIPOC mental wellbeing through mental health awareness initiatives, psychoeducation, advocacy and more
    • Mental Health and Anti-Racism Resources for BIPOC Students

    BIPOC Individual Counselling

    Sometimes seeking support from a mental health therapist and counsellor can be difficult for a myriad of reasons including (but not limited to): the barriers between one’s culture and the therapist, fear of being misunderstood and invalidated, the burden of having to explain one’s culture and worldview and feeling like your therapist won’t understand you because of your colour, race, religion, or culture and the unique experiences of these identities like racial trauma and experiences of discrimination.

    Mental Health & Wellbeing acknowledges these challenges faced by students who identify as black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) with backgrounds that vary by race, religion, language, and ethnicity.

    Accordingly, students have the option of choosing a racialized counsellor for individual counselling during their Registration with Mental Health & Wellbeing by checking BIPOC Student Support.

    BIPOC Student support is committed to culturally sensitive forms of psychotherapy while acknowledging the different experiences of BIPOC students regarding their mental health challenges and wellbeing.

    Connect with Us
    BIPOC Resource Library

  • Dibaadan Support

    Important Program Update

    Due to unforeseen circumstances, Dibaadan programming will not be available as of February 26th, 2026.

    All future updates about programming will be shared here as soon as they become available.

    Thank you for your continued support.

    For more information, contact mhwellbeing@nipissingu.ca or 705-474-3450 ext. 4507

    Dibaadan provides specialized outreach, prevention, and intervention from a wholistic Indigenous wellness perspective. This includes events and activities to learn more about caring for your well-being. Any student may access these services (status, non-status, non-Indigenous).

    Dibaadan Meaning: "Speak the Truth, speak from your Heart"

    Aaniish naaMeaning: "How are you?"

    Mino bimaadziwin Meaning: “To Live the good life following a balanced approach”

    Origin: Anishinaabemowin

    Sharing Circles

    2023 Medicine Wheel

    Indigenous sharing circles build on wholistic mental health and wellbeing. This is a supportive time for reflecting, relationship building, and sharing with others. The sharing circles help introduce students to sharing, and learning together.

    Gaining a better understanding of self and others. Every sharing circle begins with a smudging ceremony. The Dibaadan Wellness Coordinator will facilitate a conversation for wholistic wellness related to one of the four directions of the medicine wheel. All students are welcome!

    sweet grass braid

    History of Dibaadan

    From September 2015 – March 2017, Nipissing University under the leadership of Mental Health & Wellbeing funded by the Mental Health Innovation Fund, led a two- year initiative to overall “Strengthen Mental Health Services for Indigenous Students” at Nipissing University. This project was called “Dibaadan”. (Speak from Your Heart- Your Truth – Ojibway Anishnaabemowin)

    Phase 1: The Project Facilitator worked within a consultative framework (medicine wheel) with an Indigenous Advisory Circle consisting of community leaders in the helping field as well a Traditional Elder and NU student representatives.

    Phase 1 consisted of evaluating and information gathering of peer reviewed scholarly literature on “Wise Indigenous Mental Health Practices”. In particular identifying barriers that exist for Indigenous learners that wish to access mental health services. This phase of data collection included: Interviewing students, Office of Aboriginal Initiatives, MHW counseling staff and counselors at the university. Also, hosting Discussion Circles, a Drum Social and a Traditional Anishinabek Medicine Bag Workshop for students.

    As a way of “giving back” to the community, Dibaadan hosted a series of Teach In’s facilitated by leaders in the Anishinabek community open for all of Nipissing University.

    Phase 2: The Project Facilitator worked with the Advisory Circle, Nipissing University students, Office of Aboriginal Initiatives and Mental Health & Wellbeing (MHW) to select recommendations for immediate implementation. The Project Facilitator assisted MHW in the appropriate implementation of select recommendations and evaluated the impact of these changes to service. A focus was on sustainability as the project and funding would end in March 2017. The project would report Dibaadan wise practices, Indigenous Evaluative approaches, Values, Accessibility of Services influenced and student narratives/voices and outline what we did best, possible future outcomes with the Nipissing University community, community partners, and the Post Secondary Student Counseling programs across the province.

    Phase 3: The Project Facilitator worked with the advisory circle members, and Nipissing University to hire a Dibaadan counsellor. Changes to the Student Development Services (SDS) environment made the office space more inviting to indigenous students. The Dibaadan counsellor and the ‘Enji Giigdoyang’ Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) department continue to work on strengthening their partnerships and collaborating on projects that support indigenous students on campus.

    Additionally, the Dibaadan project created a monthly professional development day for the staff from both SDS and OII to learn more about Anishinabek values, ceremony, cultural awareness and insight about post-secondary indigenous student stories. Other practices such as brief individual counselling, sharing circles, and drop-in time supporting the seven grandfather teachings were implemented by the project.

    Currently, the Dibaadan project continues to grow and develop collaboratively with the students that participate. The advisory circle members meet bi-annually to discuss the future of the Dibaadan Project. Indigenous holistic programing will continue to be available on campus to aid all students in their post-secondary journey.

    Cultural Knowledge Building, Relationships and Community!​​

    Dibaadan Report

    Click here for the video on our official Dibaadan Report Launch ❯

    Click here for a pdf of the Dibaadan Report ❯ ​

    Indigenous Helplines and Resources

    Talk 4 Healing

    Talk 4 Healing - 1-855-554-4325
    Talk4Healing offers 24/7 help, support and resources for Indigenous women, by Indigenous women, all across Ontario.

    Hope for Wellness Help Line - 1-855-242-3310
    Offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
    Counselling and crisis intervention is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
     

    North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre

    Mental Health & Wellness Program - 705-472-2811 ext. 217
    daw@nbifc.org
     

    Giiwedno Mshkikiiwgamig North Bay Indigenous Hub - 1-705-995-0060
    Traditional Healing services and Mental Wellness and Social Services are offered.

  • Academics

    Lecturer at podium
    Students Defend Their Work
    Master of History student defends her Major Research Paper
    Students and faculty working together
    School of Business
    With the ability to complete a BBA, BComm, or Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, there are many ways to pursue your business degree.
    student testing new technology
    Nbisiing Secondary School and the university's Community Service-Learning Program
    Nipissing First Nation and the University promote new perspectives on learning
    Musician Claude McKenzie helps develop creative ways of learning with area youth as a joint initiative with Nbisiing Secondary School and the university's Community Service-Learning Program
    Master of Science student defends his Major Research Paper
    Taking Mathematics to the next level
    Master of Science student defends his Major Research Paper

    Whether you're looking for an undergraduate or graduate experience at Nipissing, you'll receive a personalized education that is like no other. Nipissing is ranked high for student satisfaction and has received top marks for Overall Educational Experience and Faculty Interaction. Our flexible learning approach is unique and enables you to customize your degree to match your interests.

    Areas of Study

    The entire Nipissing faculty of arts and science in convocation gowns standing in a group in front of the library background

    Faculty of Arts and Science

    Our faculty offers over 21 areas of study ranging from Biology to Sociology so no matter where your passion is we have a program for you.

    Learn more
    A professor in purple and blue convocation gown putting a ribbon on a graduate in black

    Faculty of Education and Professional Studies

    Join passionate and driven students like you in the pursuit of a meaningful, career-focused degree in Education and Professional Studies.

    Learn more
    A graduate in green convocation gown holding their degree with 2 professors on both sides of him

    Graduate Studies

    Take the next step in your academic journey where small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a strong research culture create the ideal environment to grow your expertise and make a meaningful impact.

    Learn more
    Provost and Vice-President, Academic
    Teaching Hub
    AQ/ABQ Courses

  • Current Students

    Nipissing ranked #1 in student satisfaction

    Get the most out of Nipissing University with resources for learning, support, campus life, work opportunities, and student involvement.

    Academics

    Our Faculty Offices

    Registrar Office

    All Academic Support Services
     
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    2 students eating at bay bistro

    Campus Life & Services

    All Campus Life Services

    More Support Services

    All Support Services

  • Chancellor

    Duties of a Chancellor

    The Chancellor of Nipissing University is appointed by the Board of Governors. The Chancellor is the titular head of the University and confers all degrees, honorary degrees, diplomas and certificates. The Chancellor is an outstanding role model who not only demonstrates a passion for education but appreciates and demonstrates a commitment to the vision, mission, and values of Nipissing University as set out in the Strategic Plan. The term of office is four years, and the Chancellor may be appointed for a maximum of two consecutive terms. The position of Chancellor does not remove or replace any duty or power of the Board of Governors, the Senate, or the President.

    Chancellor Scott Russell (D.Litt)

     

    Scott Russell, Chancellor

    Dr. Scott Russell

    Nipissing University has appointed Dr. Scott Russell as its fifth Chancellor. The award-winning broadcaster and acclaimed author, best known for his hosting roles with CBC Sports and extensive Olympic Games coverage, began his four-year term on July 1, 2024.  

    A Canadian Screen Award and Gemini Award-winning broadcaster, Scott Russell brings nearly 40 years of experience, passion, and knowledge to his role as co-host of CBC Sports Presents.  

    This summer, Dr. Russell will cover his 17th Olympic Games - it will be his seventh time hosting.

    Dr. Russell's passion for amateur sports shines throughout his extensive career, which includes hosting major sporting events like the Commonwealth Games, Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games, and multiple FIFA World Cups. He also served as host and rink-side reporter for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada for 14 years. Beyond broadcasting, he writes insightful sports blogs for cbcsports.ca and is a member of the CBC Sports initiative on women in sports. 

    Starting his career at CBC Charlottetown in 1985, Dr. Russell transitioned to sports reporting in 1986 and has since become a respected commentator. In addition to his roles at CBC, he has taught a course in Canadian Sports History at Toronto's Centennial College and is involved with several sports committees and charities, including the Canadian Olympic Committee's Education Committee, Ambassador’s Council for Amici camping charity, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and the Public Policy Forum on Value-Based Sport, the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, and the advisory board of the International Centre For Olympic Studies At Western University.  

    A graduate of Western University with an M.A. in Journalism, Dr. Russell has penned two books on hockey, Ice Time: A Canadian Hockey Journey and The Rink - Stories from Hockey's Home Towns, which he co-wrote with Chris Cuthbert. Russell's third book, Open House: Canada and the Magic of Curling, is a grassroots look at one of this country's favourite sports. 

    Scott Russell has been recognized with numerous awards including the George Gross Award for Outstanding Broadcasting and a CBC President's Award in the Brand Champion category for his dedication and enthusiasm for his work covering amateur athletics. He also received an honorary doctorate (D.Litt.) from Nipissing University in 2020. 

    An avid runner, Dr. Russell has completed two Boston Marathons, and was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to sports in Canada. He currently lives in Toronto with his wife, Catherine. 

    Past Chancellors

    • Paul Cook, 2014-2022
    • John Dellandrea, 2010-2014
    • David Liddle, 2002-2010
    • James Redpath, 1994-2002

  • Student Payment Information

    Payments are acceptable by online banking*, cash, certified cheque, debit card, bank draft or money order payable to Nipissing University. Credit card payments are accepted using our PayMyTuition payment portal (please see link below). If paying by debit card, please ensure that the payment you intend to make will not exceed your daily withdrawal limit. For convenience, payments by cheque or money order may be made by using the after-hours drop box located outside the Finance Office (F216). Students are strongly encouraged to submit their payment by on-line banking* to avoid line-ups. If payment is submitted by mail, please ensure that your Nipissing University student number is recorded on the front of the cheque. Payments sent by mail and postmarked by midnight of the deadline date will be accepted without penalty. Regardless of the date on the cheque, payments sent by mail and postmarked after the deadline date may be subject to a late payment service charge of 1.5% compounded monthly (19.56% effective annual rate).

    Payments from existing students with an outstanding balance from current or previous term that may be intended as a  future residence deposit or tuition deposit will first be applied against the existing outstanding term balance amount, and will not be treated as a deposit payment. Please use self-service https://selfservice.nipissingu.ca/Student/- statement of account - to ensure your student account balance is paid in full prior to sending any deposit payment intended future terms to avoid deposit payment delays. 

    How to send Online Banking Tuition Payments to NU

    1. Add "Nipissing University" as a Payee under the Bill Payment section of your online bank account.

    2. Use your 7-digit student number (starting with the zero) as the account number (do not include the letter).

    3. Add the amount of your payment to  "Nipissing University" and continue.  Before sending, please ensure you have entered the correct student ID as the account to pay. Please allow 2-3 business days for the payment to be applied to your account. 

    How to send Online Banking Deposit Payments to NU

    1. Add "Nipissing University Bachelor of Education" or "Nipissing University Residence" as a payee under the Bill Payment section of your online bank account, depending on the type of deposit you are wishing to send.
    2. Use your 7-digit student number (starting with zero) as the account number to pay (do not include the letter)
    3. Add the amount of your deposit payment due to "Nipissing University" and continue. Before sending, please ensure you have entered the correct student ID as the account to pay.  Please allow 2-3 business days for the deposit to be applied to your deposit account balance. 
    MTFX PayMyTuition

    Nipissing University has partnered with PayMyTuition for domestic and international tuition payments.

    With PayMyTuition, domestic students can make payments towards their tuition fees use credit options via Visa, Mastercard, and Amex.

    International students can pay your tuition payments from any bank, in any country in any currency at better than bank exchange rates. PayMyTuition is fast, simple, and cost effective.
     

    To Make a Payment

    • Log into your My Nipissing self-service student portal
    • Once logged in, proceed to the Financial Information Section on the sidebar, select 'Student Finance' drop down menu and then select ‘PayMyTuition (Payments)  NOTE: You will have to disable pop up blockers for this site to load. 
    • Upon redirect into the PayMyTuition portal, select “MAKE A PAYMENT” to initiate your payment

    Additional Information

    Have questions for the Nipissing University team?

    Contact the Nipissing University Student Financial Services Department at finance@nipissingu.ca or call 705-474-3450 ext. 4419.

    Need Assistance? The PayMyTuition student support team is happy to help:

    Call 1.855.663.6839 (toll-free) or use one of their local country contact numbers.

    You can also contact PayMyTuition Support at support@paymytuition.com or through their support page.

    No matter your time zone, a dedicated customer support team is available via live chat, email, and phone to assist with your payment.

    You also have the option of using Aeroplan points, TD points, or CIBC Aventura points to pay for fees through HigherEdPoints.com.

    HigherEdPoints

    Students who intend to pay their fees with government loans (OSAP) must have applied for assistance no later than July 15th. If application for assistance is made after this date, funds may not be available in time for the payment of fees by the deadlines noted on the Fees and Payments page. Such students may be required to make their first payment from their own resources. Please note that July 15th is not the final deadline to apply for OSAP funding (See Financial Aid, Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards in index for further information).

    All scholarships administered by Nipissing University are first applied to any outstanding tuition and student fees. The remainder of the award, if any, is forwarded by cheque to the student.

    An interest charge at the rate of 1.5% will be assessed monthly (19.56% effective annual rate) on all student accounts with balances outstanding after the relevant due date for fees incurred. Interest will not be waived for late payments.

    Non-payment of fees may render a student ineligible for registration in future sessions. In addition, students who are in financial arrears to the university may face deregistration from future courses and will not be issued their transcripts of record, statement of standing, degree or related evidence of their academic progress until such time as their account is cleared.​ The University uses the services of outside collection agencies and reserves the right to use any legal means to reclaim monies owing.

  • Academic Advising

    Academic Advising at Nipissing University

    Undergraduate students who wish to plan their programs or who need advice on any academic matter should consult an Academic Advisor. This may include, but is not limited to: planning for degree programs, choosing courses, and clarifying academic procedures or regulations. The Academic Advising Office also determines students' Second and Dual Degree Requirements and considers students' Overload and Letter of Permission Requests.

    Connect with an Advisor

    Meet with an academic advisor to get personalized guidance and support for your academic journey.

    Connect

    Help with Course Selection

    Get support choosing the right courses to stay on track and achieve your academic goals.

    Learn More

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Browse answers to common questions about advising, programs, and student resources.
     

    Explore

    Students are responsible for ensuring that the courses in which they register meet the degree requirements of their programs.

     

    Academic Services

    Explore key academic services and processes, including degree audits, course overload requests, international exchanges, letters of permission, and second degree options, to help you stay informed and on track.

    Degree Audits

    An Academic Advisor can conduct a degree audit for any Undergraduate student. A degree audit consists of looking over a student's academic record to verify if they are meeting or have met all degree and program requirements .

    A student can request a degree audit at any time to ensure that they are on the right track. Requests can be made by sending an email from your Nipissing student email account to advising@nipissingu.ca. Please include your student id number.

    Overload Requests

    A student may be permitted to take a course overload at this university after they have received permission from an Academic Advisor. Students are normally allowed to register in a maximum of 30 credits in the Fall/Winter session but under certain circumstances a student will be allowed to take a maximum three-credit overload per term or six credits over an entire academic year.

    Course loads are calculated on all courses in which a student is registered, this includes courses taken on a Letter of Permission. Please consult the Academic Calendar or the following for the official regulations on course overloads:

    Eligibility

    1. You must be a full-time student
    2. You must have an excellent academic record with an overall average of B+ or better (75%+)
    3. You must have been in a full 30 credits in the previous fall/winter term and in those 30 credits you can not have any failed credits.
    4. You can not have any failed grades from the previous Spring/Summer session.
    5. First year students cannot take an overload.

    How to Apply

    If you are a current student enrolled in an active undergraduate program, you may request a course overload by submitting the Course Overload Request form.

    If you have any questions regarding course overloads, please contact Academic Advising by email at advising@nipissingu.ca.

    Second Degrees

    Students wishing to pursue a second degree program and who possess an undergraduate degree from a recognized university can arrange for a second degree program, in another area of study. Students must contact the Admissions Office​ to determine eligibility to their program of interest.​

    Second degree programs are arranged by an Academic Advisor and are done in consultation with the discipline concerned.

    For further information on second degrees, please click here.

    Letters of Permission

    A student may be permitted to take course(s) at another university for credit. A Letter of Permission to undertake such courses must be obtained from an Academic Advisor before registering at the other university.​

    Eligibility​

    1. ​You must be in good academic standing at Nipissing University.
    2. Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits from Nipissing University before a letter of permission will be considered.
    3. 4000-level courses are approved in consultation with the department concerned.
    4. If you have already graduated with an undergraduate degree and you want to take a course at another institution for interest or for upgrading your admissibility into a professional program (i.e., Bachelor of Education) you do not need to apply for a Letter of Permission.
    Applying for a Letter of Permission

    If you are a current student enrolled in an active undergraduate program, you may request a Letter of Permission by submitting the Letter of Permission form.

    The request must include a URL to a detailed course description that includes the course code, course weight and the title of the course. Students must ensure they are selecting courses for which they have the prerequisite.

    Payment must be received before the Letter of Permission is processed. Please see Financial Information below for payment information.

    Approval of a Letter of Permission

    Please allow four weeks to process a Letter of Permission request.  

    After the Letter of Permission has been reviewed, an email will be sent to your Nipissing student email account and if approved, a copy of your Letter of Permission will be attached.

    Completed Letter of Permission Course(s)

    It is the student's responsibility to send Nipissing University’s Office of the Registrar an official transcript of the grade(s) from the host university.  Upon receipt of the transcript, the transfer credit will be entered on the student’s academic record, provided the minimum grade has been achieved. The grade(s) will be recorded as TR. The grade(s) received for the courses completed on a Letter of Permission will not be used in the calculation of the averages for a Nipissing University undergraduate degree.

    For students completing a course on a Letter of Permission in their graduating year, the official transcript from the host university must be received no later than the first week of May.

    For students applying to the Schulich School of Education for September, please see the Registrar’s Office to determine when the official transcript must be received.  Students are not normally permitted to finish their last course(s) on a Letter of Permission in the spring/summer if they are attending the Schulich School of Education in the fall of the same year.

    Course Load

    Courses taken on a Letter of Permission will count towards a student’s course load.  Courses taken in one session should be completed before the beginning of the next session. Where courses are not completed, students must reduce their course load accordingly or apply for a course overload.

    OSAP

    We recommend that you consult Student Financial Services if you have any questions regarding OSAP.

    Payment Information

    A fee of $40.00 is charged for each Letter of Permission issued to a university and the Letter of Permission will not be processed until verification of payment is provided. Payments may be paid in person or through online banking (Payee: Nipissing University, Account #: 7 digit student number). If you have any questions regarding how to pay for a Letter of Permission, please contact the Finance Office at 705.474.3450 ext. 4419 or finance@nipissingu.ca.

    Host University 

    Courses may be taken at any Canadian university.  To find courses Canadian Virtual University and StudyOnline are useful websites to assist you in your search.  You may also want to visit individual university websites.

    Be sure to select university degree credit courses when choosing a course.

    When in contact with a host institution ensure that you ask them about their application deadlines, fees, the registration procedures and add/drop deadlines for visiting students. See if an official Nipissing transcript is required. 

     It is the student's responsibility to make sure the course is available and to complete and submit all of the necessary admission and registration forms to the host university prior to their stated deadline dates.  It is also your responsibility to pay your fees at the host university.

    Residency Requirements

    When planning to take courses on a Letter of Permission please consult your residency requirements for your degree in the Academic Calendar or discuss your plans with an Academic Advisor before you commit to courses on a Letter of Permission.

    Required Grade

    Transfer credit is granted for courses completed with a grade of “C” or higher. Courses with a “D” may be considered only if matched by an equal number of equivalent courses with grades of “B” or higher. Please consult the Letter Grades and Grading Standards in the Academic Calendar for further clarification on the numerical grade.

    Revising your Letter of Permission

    Your letter of permission is valid only for the session indicated and for the number of courses and the specific courses approved. If the course you requested is no longer available, contact the Academic Advising Office immediately to request a revised Letter of Permission.  There is no charge for revising courses on a Letter of Permission at the same host university. However, you need a new letter of permission to attend a different session.

    If you have any questions regarding a Letter of Permission please contact the Academic Advising Office at advising@nipissingu.ca.

  • Student Financial Services

    Financing your university education may seem overwhelming at first, but you don’t have to navigate it on your own. The Student Financial Services team at Nipissing University is here to support you every step of the way. Our knowledgeable and caring staff are dedicated to providing personalized financial guidance and services that help you stay focused on achieving your academic goals.

    Spring/Summer 2026

    Undergraduate and Graduate Students Tuition Due Date
    SP - First Term (3 weeks) From May 4th to May 22ndMay 7th, 2026
    SP -Second Term (3 weeks) From May 25th to June 12thMay 28th, 2026
    SP - Full Spring Term (6 weeks) From May 4th to June 12thMay 7th, 2026
    SU -First Term (3 weeks) From June 22nd to July 10thJune 25th, 2026
    SU - Second Term (3 weeks) From July 13th to July 31stJuly 16th, 2026
    SU - Full Summer Term (6 weeks) From June 22nd to July 31stJune 25th, 2026
    Full Spring/Summer Term (13 weeks) From May 4th to July 31stMay 15th, 2026
    Full Term - Graduate StudiesMay 8th, 2026
    SI - First Term (2 weeks) From August 4th to August 14thAugust 6th, 2026

    Fall/Winter 2025-2026

     

    Tuition Due Date

    Undergraduates and Consecutive Education

    Fall Fees: September 15, 2025

    Winter Fees: January 16, 2026

    Graduate Studies

    Fall Fees: September 15, 2025

    Winter Fees: January 16, 2026

    International

    First Year Student: Date Specified in your Offer Letter

    2nd Year Student Fall Fees: September 15, 2025

    2nd Year Student Winter Fees: January 16, 2026

    The best way to reach us is by email at finance@nipissingu.ca. Our office is located in F-216 and is open Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You’re welcome to stop by during our office hours with any questions - no appointment is necessary!

    Contact Us ❯

    Tuition Fees with Payment Due Dates by Term

    Each 3-credit course is considered a half course and each 6-credit course is considered one full course. Other Mandatory Fees or Ancillary Fees are non-refundable after the start of the session. For a detailed breakdown of Other Mandatory fees refer to the Other Mandatory Fees section. 

    All students should refer to the Service Fees section for any additional charges that may apply to them.

    Refund Schedules
    Student Payment Information
    Payment Plan Information

    Undergraduate
    Tuition and Fees

    Arts and Science, Business Administration,
    BComm, College Partnership, Computer Science, Data Science

    View fees

    Education Programs
    Tuition and Fees

    Bachelor of Education

    Consecutive and Concurrent

    View fees

    Nursing Programs
    Tuition and Fees

    Bachelor of Science Nursing
    RPN to Bachelor of Science Nursing Bridging

    Find program fees

    International
    Tuition and Fees

    Undergraduate, Graduate, Post-Baccalaureate, Education

    View fees

    Indigenous Education
    Tuition and Fees

    Indigenous Teacher Education, Indigenous Classroom Assistant, Teacher of Indigenous Languages as a Second Language

    Find fees

    Graduate Programs
    Tuition and Fees

    Ontario, Canadian

    Find program fees

    A 1.5% monthly (19.56% effective annual rate) late fee may be assessed to those students with outstanding fees after the published due date. Non-payment of fees may render a student ineligible for registration in future sessions. In addition, students who are in financial arrears to the university may face deregistration from future courses and will not be issued their transcripts of record, statement of standing, degree or related evidence of their academic progress until such time as their account is cleared.

    **Nipissing University reserves the right to modify published fees and the regulations governing refunds without advance notice.**

    Student Awards and Financial Aid

    We offer and administer a wide range of financial aid programs to assist with funding your education.

    Our scholarships and need-based awards and bursaries provide numerous awards to qualified students. Our work study program (NUWork) allows you to combine learning and work. Government assistance programs, such as OSAP, are an important source of funding; our office administers this program for all students attending Nipissing University.

    Please select one of the options, below, to explore funding specific to you:

    Students Entering Directly From High School
    Current Undergraduate, BEd, & Graduate Students
    Student Support Fund Application
    Graduate Funding
    International Student Funding
    Work Study (NUWorks)

    Procedures and Policies

    Student Financial Appeals

    Financial Appeals

    Nipissing University can assist students in a variety of ways, including an assessment for financial appeals.

    Acceptable Reasons:

    A student may submit a financial appeal if they experience a serious documented medical illness or a death of an immediate family member that causes them to drop courses.  Some consideration may be given for other life crises outside of a students control; however, supporting documentation must be included.

    Financial appeals are granted at the discretion of the Student Financial Services Department of Nipissing University and will be considered for a period of six months after the occurrence of the illness or death.

    Unacceptable Reasons:

    Being Unaware of the University Policies and Regulation: By the action of registration the student becomes bound by the policies and regulations of Nipissing University.  All students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with this information.

    Being unaware of the academic versus financial drop deadlines: Financial deadlines are different than academic deadlines associated with dropping a course. Therefore, not meeting deadlines such as grade deadlines are not grounds for a financial appeal.

    Not Attending Classes: Simply not attending classes or failing to drop unwanted courses are not sufficient grounds for a financial appeal.  You must also be aware that there are financial penalties for dropping courses after the start of classes (see the Refund Policy & Course Drop Deadlines). You are responsible for the full fee for any courses added to your record, regardless of when in the term you added them.

    Financial Difficulties: If you experience difficulty keeping your student account in good financial standing, it is advised that you contact Student Awards and Financial Aid Office to discuss the financial resources available to you. You may e-mail them at: finaid@nipissingu.ca

    Graduate Student Finishing Early in the Final Term: Aside from withdrawal from the program, Masters & PhD Students must register and pay per term, until graduation. Accordingly, there is no adjustment of fees for early completion within the last term of study.

    How to Submit a Financial Appeal:

    1. If you haven't already done so, drop the course(s) for which you are requesting a credit/refund
    2. Contact Student Financial Services, finance@nipissingu.ca; you will be sent a link to the Financial Appeal form.
    3. Read the Financial Appeal Guidelines below.
    4. Complete the form: Financial Appeal Form, and upload all relevant documents.
    5. You will be notified by email in 6 to 8 weeks of the outcome of your appeal, or once a decision has been made
    6. The decision of the Financial Appeals Committee is final.

    Who is on the Financial Appeals Committee?

    Financial Appeals Committee Members and Impartiality

    The Financial Appeals Committee is composed of four members: Director of Finance;  Manager, Student Financial Services & Financial Aid; Accounts Receivable Financial Coordinator; and the Student Awards Coordinator.

    The issues of fairness and impartiality of the Financial Appeal Committee are considered crucial. Therefore, a member of the Committee will be excluded from a particular appeal discussion when they feel that, in the circumstances, they are not sufficiently objective to evaluate the appeal, they have any emotional or financial interest in the outcome of the appeal, or they have any affiliation with either party of such a nature or proximity as to give the appearance of partiality or bias.

    Financial Appeal Guidelines

    This policy applies to all students attending Nipissing University who are charged full, or part time fees related to the enrollment in their academic program or individual courses. Financial Appeals apply to TUITION FEES ONLY and do not include ancillary or other fees, which will remain the responsibility of the student.  The administration of this form is born by the Nipissing University Student Financial Services Office, which reserves the right to make any necessary changes to this policy without notice. It is the sole responsibility of the student to submit a Financial Appeal. Please read the following guidelines carefully.

    1. All students are responsible for paying all applicable fees related to their program of study before the appeal process has begun. Students must also drop the courses in question, and/or withdraw from their program in order to be eligible.
    2. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the Nipissing University Fees Policy, the Payment Due Dates, Refund Policy and Schedule.
    3. Appeals will not be considered on the grounds that the student was unaware of or did not understand the University policies.
    4. Financial Appeals will not be considered past 6 months after the semester in which the fees apply.
    5. Financial Appeals will not be considered for completed courses, or courses the student intends to complete. Under special circumstance, exceptions to this guideline will be made upon supporting documentation being provided.
    6. Fees that have been paid through OSAP or other external funding may be refunded directly back to the funding agency.
    7. Financial Appeals will be considered when appropriate grounds exist for the appeal. The following is a list of appropriate grounds on which to base an appeal:
      1. Medical Reasons – Includes the unforeseen onset of a physical or psychological illness, condition, or crisis. Under these circumstances, students will need to provide all supporting medical documentation issued by a physician or psychologist.
      2. Compassionate Grounds – Includes extenuating circumstances such as eviction, death of a family member, or other life crises.
      3. Removal of Financial Restriction.
      4. Other Reasons– Includes an unforeseen event or circumstance that resulted in time delays/additional fees.
    8. All supporting documents must be included along with the Financial Appeal at the time of submission. Any additional information may not be accepted later.
    9. Financial Appeals can take 6-8 weeks to process. The student will be contacted once a decision has been made by the Nipissing University Financial Appeals Committee.
    10. Any information submitted during the Financial Appeal Process will be held private as per the Nipissing University Privacy Policy.

    Student Financial Services
    t: (705) 474-3450 x4419
    e: finance@nipissingu.ca

    Student Financial Obligations and Collection of Overdue Accounts

    Student Financial Obligations and Collection of Overdue Accounts

    The Board of Governors sets all Nipissing University tuition and ancillary fees and reserves the right to modify published fees and the regulations governing refunds without advance notice. By the action of registration all students become bound by the policies and regulations of Nipissing University. All students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with student financial information.

    Payments for tuition, ancillary fees and other charges, as outlined on Student’s Statement of Account, must be received according to the Fee Payment Deadlines schedule. Fees for late registrations, after the published fee payment deadline dates, are due within 2 business days to avoid late payment fees.

    A 1.5% monthly (19.56% effective annual rate) late fee will be assessed to accounts with outstanding fees after the published due date.

    Non-payment of fees will render a student ineligible for registration in future sessions. In addition, students who are in financial arrears to the university will be deregistered from all future courses. Further, overdue accounts will be placed under Financial Restriction. When an account has a Financial Restriction academic transcripts of record, statements of standing, confirmations of enrolment, degrees, diplomas, certificates, referral to the Ontario Collage of Teachers, and any other related evidence of academic progress will not be issued until the Financial Restriction is cleared. Finally, T2202s will not be issued for unpaid tuition.

    While every effort is made to avoid errors in fee assessment, should an error occur, it will be corrected, and every effort made to notify affected students. However, lack of notification does not exempt a student from paying the appropriate fee.

    Please see Appendix A for Timelines and Impact to Student Accounts.

    Please direct all questions to finance@nipissingu.ca.

    Student Responsibilities

    It is the student's responsibility to:

    1. Familiarize themself with the financial and academic regulations of the University (e.g. Tuition Fees and Payments, Drop Deadline Dates, Refund Policies, Academic Calendar, etc.).
    2. Regularly view the status of their Student Account on WebAdvisor, and report any discrepancies or concerns.
    3. Add or drop courses from their timetable using the Register/Drop Classes function in WebAdvisor. 
      1. All charges and outstanding fees accrued to the date of drop/withdrawal will remain due and payable on the student's account. The partial or total reimbursement of tuition fees depends on the official date of withdrawal as registered on the student's file.
    4. Monitor their Nipissing University e-mail account for all University correspondence using Student Mail in My Nipissing.

    Overdue Accounts

    Students are expected to pay their tuition fees, residence fees, administrative fees, accrued late fees and all other outstanding fees in full by the corresponding due dates.

    Students with an unpaid balance will not be permitted to register in subsequent terms, and will be deregistered from all future terms, until their account has been paid in full. Unpaid accounts will be restricted; students will not have access to final grades, or any academic records until their balance is fully paid. The University will engage the services of outside collection agencies and reserves the right to use any legal means to reclaim outstanding balances on account.

    Nipissing University will make every reasonable attempt to contact a student who has an outstanding account balance to collect the overdue amount. Therefore, it is in each student’s best interests to keep their contact information current on WebAdvisor, even after they graduate. If a student doesn’t remember their username or password, they can contact UTS for support.

    If contact attempts are unsuccessful, the account will be referred to a collection agency. The provisions of the Financial Restriction will remain in effect until the balance is paid in full. Once an account is fully paid, it will be returned to Good Standing without penalty, and students will have full access to academic transcripts of record, statements of standing, confirmations of enrolment, degrees, diplomas, certificates, and referral to the Ontario Collage of Teachers.

    Please see Appendix B for the Collections Timeline.

    Payment Methods

    Acceptable payment methods include on-line banking, cash, certified cheque, debit card, bank draft or money order payable to Nipissing University. Credit card payments are accepted using our third-party partner, PayMyTuition.

    Student Support

    Information on financial assistance for current students is available on the Student Awards and Financial Aid website, or by email: finaid@nipissingu.ca.

    Financial Appeals

    Nipissing University can assist students in a variety of ways, including an assessment for a financial appeal.

    Sponsorships

    Students who are sponsored by an agency must provide written confirmation (ex. EI, Indigenous community band council’s education department, other). A copy of the sponsorship letter must be provided to the Student Financial Services department by the term’s fee due date. The letter can be e-mailed to finance@nipissingu.ca. Letters will only be accepted from Sponsors whose accounts are in good standing.

    Collection Services Information Contact

    Collections Email: finance@nipissingu.ca.      

    Phone: 705-474-3450 x4619

    Contact Student Financial Services