Attention Unit 1 members! You will have received an email from the Faculty of Graduate Studies regarding opting-in to receive your fellowship in the summer instead of in three installments in Fall, Winter, and Summer. Here is what you need to know:
- This is not new.
- This opt-in option has been part of your collective agreement since 2018. This year, the employer forgot to send around the form to opt-in; they are doing so late in response to the union raising the issue with them.
- It’s your choice
- For many members, having the fellowship implemented each term is the most convenient. For others, it’s important that they have income coming in over the summer, even if it means paying their tuition out of pocket during the year. This is why we bargained for you to have a choice! Only you can determine which option is best for you.
- If you choose to opt-in now, you will have to pay Fall tuition
- Typically, opting-in to this option means you pay your own tuition, instead of having it automatically deducted from your fellowship. However, since the employer is running this opt-in process late, you will have already received your fellowship. If you opt in, they will deduct your Fall fellowship from your student account, and you will owe money.
If you do want to opt-in to receive your fellowship in the summer, you can fill out this form (linked).
NOTE: The opt-in period for the 2024–2025 academic year is Oct. 14—Nov. 4, 2024.