UWindsor banners with ticket reading"Admit One"A new program offers vouchers to potential applicants to make the university application process affordable.

Voucher program to expand student access to application process

A new voucher program to offset the cost of applying to the University of Windsor demonstrates its commitment to increasing access to university education, even before students arrive, says Chris Busch, associate vice-president for enrolment management.

“No one should be prevented from accessing an outstanding university education because they can secure financial assistance via the Ontario Student Assistance Program but cannot pay an application fee,” Dr. Busch says.

Under the program, certain prospective applicants — identified by educators within their schools and community — can apply for relief from fees to the Ontario Universities Application Centre for entry to undergraduate study direct from high school. The vouchers would cover the total costs of a student’s application to the University of Windsor and any supplementary program-specific application fees.

Student recruitment is promoting this new voucher program to Ontario guidance counsellors and select community agencies and groups who work closely with marginalized communities and Indigenous partners. The counsellors may share the vouchers with their students they identify as facing financial barriers to OUAC application fees.

The vouchers are available to Canadian citizens attending high school in Ontario who are likely to meet the admissions requirements in the University of Windsor program of their choice, face significant financial limitations or additional barriers that may reduce their chances of applying to university, and plan to apply to at least one UWindsor program for Fall 2023.

“We have already received over 60 requests from educators or community partners identifying a student facing a financial barrier to apply to university,” Busch notes.

For more information, visit https://future.uwindsor.ca/educators.