McMaster is waiving interest/late fees on student accounts

Letter from our Chancellor

The University’s Chancellor, Santee Smith, is reaching out to the McMaster community to thank faculty, staff, researchers and students for their responsiveness in addressing the health and safety of the University and urging everyone to focus on taking care of themselves.

“Our academic year and plans have radically shifted but the learning carries on. COVID-19 is teaching us to pause and re-focus on our well-being,” Smith writes in her letter to the community. “It is opening a window for us to reflect, to be mindful and maintain calm in the face of adversity.”

She says that “during this time of uncertainty it is important to cultivate a peaceful mind,” and reminds people of the many resources offered by the University to help the community navigate the COVID-19 situation.

Read the full letter from the Chancellor.

Helping our healthcare partners

Researchers throughout the McMaster community are rallying to help support local hospitals in the fight against COVID-19.

Responding to a call from Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), researchers in Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities and Science have collected thousands of masks, goggles, gloves, face shields, cleanroom suits, sanitizer and swabs for use by local health care providers as they work to combat COVID–19 in the Hamilton community.

Karen Mossman, McMaster’s acting vice-president, Research, says, “If there’s a silver lining to closing our labs, it’s that we’re able to support our hospital partners – their staff and the patients in their care.”

Student financial support and emergency assistance

McMaster has reviewed current policies regarding interest charges and financial blocks on student accounts with an outstanding balance in light of the COVID-19 situation. Knowing that unexpected circumstances are impacting students, policies have been revised to provide financial relief and allow students to continue their studies during the spring/summer term if desired.

For the months of March, April and May interest and late fees will not be applied to the student account and financial blocks will be removed. This means that students with an outstanding balance will be able to enrol for the spring/summer term before paying their account in full and the University will not be collecting interest or charge late fees for the next three months.

Students who may be experiencing financial emergencies as a result of the COVID-19 situation can find support and resources through the Registrar’s Office. Students can seek financial assistance to help with money for food, rent, university, travel or other expenses. Visit the Registrar’s Office website for an online chat with a Student Services Professional between the hours of 10-3 p.m. Monday to Friday.