Academic updates for current & future students (COVID-19) - updated May 13

The University is temporarily suspending the need for a doctor’s note or medical certificate for any absence from academic participation in the University. Please use the Absence Declaration tool on ACORN (found in the Profile and Settings menu) to formally declare an absence from academic participation. Record each day of your absence as soon as it begins, up until the day before you return to classes or other academic activities. The University will use this information for academic considerations and to monitor the overall health of our community.

The University of Toronto has identified the following minimum technical requirements needed for students to access remote/online learning: https://www.viceprovoststudents.utoronto.ca/covid-19/tech-requirements-online-learning/

Institutional supports are available for any students experiencing challenges in acquiring these minimum requirements. Please contact undergrad.kpe@utoronto.ca for more information.

The University of Toronto is working to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including providing emergency financial support and work-study opportunities for students. This page provides resources to access those university financial aid supports as well as provincial and federal government programs. https://www.viceprovoststudents.utoronto.ca/covid-19/funding-opportunity-directory/

Monthly service charge fee billing for unpaid 2019 Fall – 2020 Winter and 2020 Summer session fees will be suspended for the months of April to August 2020. Students will still be required to pay the prior session fees by the Fall-Winter Pay or Defer to Register deadlines in August. This will allow the student to be eligible to get a tuition deferral (register without payment) or to pay the Minimum Required Payment displayed on the ACORN invoice to complete registration for the Fall-Winter session. Monthly service charge fee billing will resume on September 15, 2020.

As a result of the COVID-19 situation, the upcoming ODP courses (ODP100, ODP200 and ODP300) scheduled for late August and early September 2020 have been postponed. This decision was not taken lightly but was necessary given the current guidance from public health authorities, our commitment to the health and safety of all students, and the advanced academic planning that must be completed to ensure the quality of the programming.  Over the next few months, planning will be underway for offerings of these courses in 2021.

Applications for BKin research courses – KPE 390, KPE 490 and KPE 495 – continue to be open. Students are advised to contact potential faculty advisors as soon as possible to discuss research opportunities. Please check out the BKin Research webpage for more information.

As the University continues to monitor developments involving COVID-19, delivery of research courses may be modified (remote/hybrid/in-person) depending on public health recommendations. ​​​​​

We have been closely following the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and what it means for the delivery of BKin In-Field Learning placements for the 2020-21 academic year. We are now pleased to be able to provide you with a revised timeline for applications for placement courses. Applications will open on July 2nd. For more information on timeline and application process, visit our website. As the University continues to monitor developments involving COVID-19, all individual placements and learning activities will be reviewed to ensure appropriate delivery (remote/hybrid/in-person) depending on public health recommendations.

The COVID-19 Emergency Undergraduate Grant application for U of T students registered for the 2020 Summer term is now available.

The Emergency Undergraduate Grant is intended to assist any undergraduate domestic and international students impacted by COVID-19 and who need immediate, short-term financial relief because of unexpected expenses. Each request for emergency aid is considered on its own merits and based on need associated with an educational program and unexpected critical costs incurred by students as a direct result of COVID-19.  Expenses that may be considered include living costs, travel home, moving costs, technology and other extraordinary and reasonable needs.

2020 Summer: Submit grant application by email 

Complete all sections of the COVID-19 Emergency Undergraduate Grant Application for the 2020 Summer term.

Submit the completed form along with your personal statement and receipts/documentation in a single PDF file through your Faculty/ Division/ College Registrar’s Office with the Subject Line “2020 Summer Emergency Undergraduate Grant Application”. Use your U of T email address to submit the form. Do not use non-U of T email accounts (such as Hotmail/Gmail etc)

Your Faculty/ Division/ College will review the application and will forward the completed form with their recommendation to Enrolment Services.

Timeline and payment of funding

You will be notified of the decision on your grant applications within 10 business days of your faculty/ division/ college receiving your completed application. If approved, you will also be able to view the grant payment information on ACORN, under the Awards & Financial Aid section of your ACORN account.

For doctoral students with scheduled final oral examinations (FOE), SGS will make accommodations to allow these examinations to proceed as scheduled without physical presence. Alternatively, we will offer the option of postponement. If it is not possible to postpone the FOE or the student wishes to proceed, we will be flexible in allowing members of the examination committee to participate remotely. Finally, and as a last resort, the student may participate in the FOE remotely.

In the event that a scheduled graduate defence or committee meeting cannot be held in person, an online option will be made available. Please contact exs.kpe@utoronto.ca for assistance with facilitating this option.

Most departmental examinations (e.g., qualifying, comprehensive, and/or general examinations) can take place without physical presence. Please contact us at exs.kpe@utoronto.ca to facilitate this.

For any research-related questions and interim planning for how you can continue to make progress towards degree completion in light of potential COVID-19 related research disruptions, please connect directly with your supervisor.

If you are experiencing immediate financial hardship, you can apply for an SGS emergency loan or emergency grant. SGS is usually able to pay out emergency loans within 24-hours and emergency grants within one week.

All MPK Summer Community Placements will be offered in a remote format (June 8, 2020 to July 29, 2020). Communications about these placements has gone out to all students and placement mentors/coordinators and placement assignments will be confirmed over the upcoming weeks.

If you are experiencing immediate financial hardship, you can apply for an SGS emergency loan or emergency grant. SGS is usually able to pay out emergency loans within 24-hours and emergency grants within one week.