The LOAN Zone is a new initiative of Student Financial Services. Designed to ensure York students can easily pick up their Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) loan documents, the LOAN Zone services are available to all York students who have applied to OSAP.
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| Above: The LOAN Zone offers student specific resources designed to help students navigate the OSAP experience. |
The Zone, which officially opened for business on Aug. 27 and will run until Sept. 21, is modelled on York University's successful RED Zone initiative for incoming students. The LOAN Zone is located in the former RED Zone headquarters in the Complex 1 Computer Lounge, room 034, Founders College. The Zone provides a one-stop shop for picking up loan documents and is staffed by financial aid experts well-versed in the ins and outs of how students can access their OSAP money.
Services available on the Web and in the Zone include:
- Self-serve online appointment booking for those students whose documents have arrived. (No student should come to the Zone without first checking online to see if their loan documents have arrived and booking an appointment.)
- OSAP loan document pick up.
- Reassessments for students whose course mix and/or financial situation has changed since they first applied.
- Helpful brochures to guide students’ next steps.
- National Student Loan Centre representatives to assist students with processing their loans.
On the first day of business, 400 students were served. The total number of OSAP students requiring help through the LOAN Zone will likely top 13,500, about 900 more students than last year.
"Early indicators suggest the LOAN Zone is being positively received by students and staff," said Nevia Jelenic, associate director, Student Financial Aid. "Our collective goal is to make students feel welcome and well served in the Zone."
Right: Students meet with the LOAN Zone team to arrange their OSAP loans
"The LOAN Zone is about helping students access OSAP loans quickly and effectively which will help them refocus their energies on their studies and growing their on-campus experience," said University Registrar Joanne Duklas.
For answers to frequently asked questions on the LOAN Zone and financial aid more generally, students and the University community should visit the Student Loan Distribution and the Student Financial Services Web sites.
Faculties served by the LOAN Zone include the Faculty of Arts, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies, Faculty of Fine Arts, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Health, and Faculty of Science & Engineering.
For more information on other Faculty distribution centres, click here.