Temporary loan policy and procedure
Dalhousie University has a Temporary Loan Policy and Procedure (for Dalhousie students only) which may be able to assist students who find themselves in a financial crunch.
The Temporary Loans Policy may be found at: http://www.registrar.dal.ca/MISC/temploan.htm
The Temporary Loans Policy is administered out of Dalhousie University’s Office of the Registrar, Room 133, A&A Building: Office Hours: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Below is an extract from the website. Please consult the website itself, however, for full information:
General Policy
1.1 The university may be able to assist you concerning some types of cash-flow problems. Temporary Loans (TLs) are available to Dalhousie students when all other means of funding have been exhausted and you are still having cash-flow difficulties . . . You are expected to have asked your parents to assist you, even if you do not live at home.
1.2 Dalhousie’s Temporary Loan Program (TLP) is available only to those who are registered at Dalhousie University. Students can be full-time or part-time and may apply during the session for which they are currently registered within the posted boundary dates (see Awards bulletin board).
1.3 Dalhousie’s TLP is intended to assist students with living costs such as rent, groceries, utilities or pre-payment of insured prescriptions. The TLP is not intended for deposits, tuition, prescribed fees, residence charges, related fees or outstanding balances.
1.4 TLs, if granted, are normally available for 30 days (but can be available to a maximum of 90 days).
1.5 Students are permitted one TL per academic term in which they are registered (fall, winder and coop academic terms) to a maximum of $1,000. You must be registered in the term in which you apply. Your total indebtedness to the university TLP may not exceed $1,000.
1.6 Students who loans are unpaid 30 days after the due date will not be eligible for further loans for twelve (12) months following the date that the debt is fully repaid.
1.7 At the time of application please provide proof of ability to repay such a loan. Listed below are some acceptable means of repayment and the requirements for each:
1.7.1 Government Student Aid: If you choose this method, please ensure that the Student Aid concerns the same academic period and that the remaining portion is sufficiently large to accommodate the loan. Please attach a photocopy of either your assessment sheet or your notice-of-award sheet. This tells us how much you are actually receiving in financial aid. Please not that the University will deduct repayment from you TL from the Canada Student Loan, Provincial Loan, or Provincial Bursary, even if, received before the due date of the TL. If you have already received money from a student loan, you may not use that loan as a guarantee.
1.7.2 Employment: Confirmation of employment including your rate of pay, hours per week and job duration. The letter must be signed by your employer and be on company letterhead.
1.7.3 Parental Guarantee: A letter from your parents, signed and dated, stating that they will repay your loan for you if you are unable to repay the loan (dollar amount) by the repayment date.
1.7.4 Teaching Assistantships and Residence Assistantships: A copy of your contract or a letter from your employer stating your salary and terms of employment. If you are receiving other types of funding, you must supply written documentation.
1.7.5 Graduate Students’ Awards: If you are being funded by a significant fellowship or scholarship, you may provide a copy of the award letter containing details about the amount, duration, and payment.
1.8 Due Date
1.8.1 Normally, during the award year from September to February inclusive, the due date is 30 days (60 or 90 days are possible – depending on method of repayment (i.e. wages from job but not automatic, see 1.8.2.
1.8.2 For TLs authorized on or after March 1st, the due date is March 30th because the University’ Fiscal Year End occurs at the end of March.
1.8.3 Students who are scheduled to be graduated in May must have repaid any TL by the end of March. Otherwise, students will be allowed to participate in convocation but degree parchments and transcripts will be withheld and not released until the TL is fully paid.
1.8.4 The TL is interest-free if the debt is paid by the due date. After the due date, the loan bears interest as stipulated in the Promissory Note, to be signed at Student Accounts when students seek transfer of the Temporary Loan funds via Interac.
2. Process
2.1 Completed applications will be accepted in the Registrar’s Office, Front Counter, Room 133, A&A Building, Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The weekly submission deadline for the TL in order to be processed for the upcoming Thursday is Tuesday 4 pm.
2.2 Approved applications will be listed by student number on the bulletin board located across the hall from Room 133, A&A Building. If your student number is not on this list, please check with the Awards Office, Room 133, A&A Building, for further information.
2.3 In order to obtain the TL, a Promissory Note must be signed in the Student Accounts Office, Room 29, A&A Building, after 3:00 pm on Thursday. The TL is disbursed through Interac, be sure to bring your interact card and student ID card. Ensure you keep your copy of the Promissory Note and mark the due date on your calendar.
2.4 TLs are to be repaid with a personal cheque (payable to “Dalhousie University” in Canadian funds), money order or cash at the Student Accounts Office on or before the due date.
2.5 Appeals – If TL applications are not approved, students may make an appointment with an “Awards Officer” to review their loan application.
