Legal Protection Program
As determined by a referendum in the Spring 2020 Term, the GSA-UW is offering a new Legal Protection Program through Studentcare starting in the Fall 2020 Term.
Through a partner law firm, full-time and part-time UWaterloo graduate students have access to a legal assistance helpline that allows them to consult a lawyer for any legal question.
The legal assistance helpline provides quick access to legal counselling on any area of law.
Toll-free legal assistance helpline: 1-833-202-4571
Legal Representation
A lawyer will take charge of proceedings related to the following areas of law:
1. Housing Disputes
2. Employment Disputes
3. Disputes with an Academic Institution
Legal representation includes fees of lawyers or bailiffs, legal expenses (court fees, attendance fees, witness expenses, etc.), and expert fees.
Toll-free legal assistance helpline: 1-833-202-4571
*NEW PILOT PROGRAM* Virtual Commissioning & Notarizing Services
As part of your Legal Protection Program you can arrange for a virtual meeting for commissioning or notarizing services. They’re included in the Program at no extra cost for a limited time only—take advantage of them now for:
- Lost, stolen, or damaged passport declarations
- Replacement of birth certificate request for out-of-province
- Affidavit for name change application
- Court documents
- Insurance loss declarations
- Execution/authentication of international documents
- Sponsorship letters
- Power of attorney
- And more!
Toll-free legal assistance helpline: 1-833-202-4571
Opt-In/Opt-Out
Opt ins/opt outs for Legal Protection Program are managed by Studentcare. More information about their opt out program can be found on their website. To opt in to the Legal Protection Program, visit the Studentcare website for their self enrollment program.
Full-time and part-time UWaterloo graduate students may opt out of the Legal Protection Program and receive a refund for this portion of the Plan without providing proof of alternative coverage. All UWaterloo graduate students who have paid service fees for the Winter 2021 term but wish to opt out, must do so during the Winter Change-of-Coverage Period from January 5 to January 25, 2021. Enrolments cannot be processed after the deadline.
Questions
For more information and questions regarding the new legal protection program, please contact Studentcare.
- StudentCare website
- Studentcare On-campus Office
Health Services Building, Room 1006
University of Waterloo Main Campus - Mobile App (download)
Income Tax Aid
The GSA-UW hosts an Income Tax Aid Clinic for graduate students. The Tax Aid Clinics are held in March and April each year to help graduate students learn how to complete their income tax return forms. Consultations are provided for graduate students registered this term (GSA-UW members) and who have paid the GSA Advising Fees. Please note that the GSA-UW does not provide a tax filing service.
Income Tax Video Seminar for Graduate Students
A Tax Seminar is held for general information each March. This seminar will provide an overview of the income tax return submission process.
Our yearly in-person Tax Seminar is cancelled due to COVID-19. Instead, our accountant has created a video seminar to provide graduates students with an introduction to filing taxes in Canada. The Income Tax video seminar is supplemented with a PowerPoint Presentation that you can download, print, and use to take notes as you complete the seminar.
Update
Please note that our Income Tax Seminar video was recorded last year by our Accountant. This video will still be very helpful to you for filing your taxes for 2020 as little has changed since the video was recorded, with the following exceptions:
- Dates mentioned in the video will now be one year later.
- All URLS mentioned in the video have changed. We included updated URLS for Canada Revenue Agency in the PowerPoint Presentation for Spring 2021.
- Additional T4 that you may have, and needs to be reported as part of income and income tax withheld is the Canada Emergency Student Benefit program which was in place in 2020 due to COVID-19.
This video seminar and PowerPoint Presentation is designed to introduce you to income tax in Canada with a focus on those tax issues most applicable to students. The video provides reference to two documents prepared by the Canadian tax authorities which further supplement the presentation. You are strongly encouraged to read these two documents.
After watching the video and reading the two documents, you should be somewhat comfortable with filling your tax return.
Personal Consultations – By Appointment
The GSA offers additional support if you feel the need to clarify specific issues regarding your tax return. This support is in the form of an individual consultation with our Accountant that can be scheduled between March and April and prior to the deadline for submitting income tax returns. Through a one-on-one 15 minute phone call with our accountant, you will be able to ask any further questions you may have.
Please note that it is highly recommended that you watch the Income Tax Seminar video while reading through the PowerPoint Presentation before booking a personal consultation.
How to book your personal tax aid consultation
Appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis and you will be booked for the next available appointment once you submit your request.
Available Dates:
To schedule a legal or tax aid consultation, please submit an appointment request form.
*This booking form is now open*