The University of Windsor announced Wednesday the additional investment of $700,000 into three scholarships and experiential learning programs designed to relieve some of the financial strain experienced by international students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This total investment into incremental financial support for international students in 2020 now exceeds $1.2 million.
“We know that international students have experienced difficulties as a result of the pandemic. From getting funds out of their home countries to the loss of part-time jobs, co-op placements, and other financial pressures” said Chris Busch, Associate Vice President, Enrolment Management.
“Fortunately, our domestic students have been able to access specialized government funding to help at this difficult time, but international students do not have access to similar supports and continue to face disproportionate challenges to their financial security.”
The University is grateful for the support of all the donors who have answered the call to action during this pandemic. The recent addition of a $100,000 in donations will allow even more of our international students to receive assistance during these unprecedented times.
Newly announced supports include:
- A needs-based scholarship of up to $2,500 available to all returning international students with demonstrated financial need. The scholarship expands on a newly established International Student Bursary;
- On-campus faculty and departmental co-op placements for approximately 80 international students in course-based Masters programs; and,
- Funding of 50 additional positions for International Students in the University’s Ignite Program, a paid, part-time, on-campus experiential learning program.
“International students bring a great deal to our campus and to our Windsor-Essex community through their knowledge, expertise, and creative activity,” said University of Windsor President and Vice-Chancellor Rob Gordon.
“This investment will go a long way to ensuring that our students will continue to do their best work in our labs and classrooms without some of the financial worries they have been experiencing over the past six months. Much of this funding supports work-study programs that provide valuable applied learning opportunities and meet on-campus needs. Both our international students and the University community benefit. We see this as an ideal solution to a considerable challenge faced by our international students.”