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.
Opt-In/Opt-Out
OOpt 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 Fall 2020 term but wish to opt out, must do so during the Fall Change-of-Coverage Period from September 8 to September 28, 2020. Enrollments 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.
Update
Please note that our 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.
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 starting and hopefully completing and filling your tax return for 2019.
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 a series of personal consultation tax clinics that will occur between April and the end of May. Through a one-on-one 15 minute phone call with our accountant, you will be able to ask any further questions you may have.
Personal Consultations – By Appointment
Consultations with the GSA Accountant are scheduled approximately once a week in late March and April prior to the deadline for submitting income tax returns.
Update
Due to COVID-19, our in-person consultations are cancelled until further notice. Personal consultations will now be provided over the phone by our accountant.
Available Dates:
A schedule of dates will be provided in the Winter 2021 Term. Stay tuned!
How to Book a 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.
To schedule a legal or tax aid consultation, please submit an appointment request form.
*This booking form will reopen in the Winter 2021 Term.*