Canadian Federation of Students Services
The Canadian Federation of Students offers a number of programmes and services in order to meet the unique needs of students and to help students save money. All Carleton grads are members of the CFS through the GSA – so these services are available for you!
ISIC Card
The ISIC is the only internationally recognised proof of full-time student status in the world and is a student travel discount card in that 70 countries worldwide, including Canada. If travelling abroad, the ISIC provides discounts on accommodation, admission to historical sites and museums, and transportation.
ISIC cards are free for all members of the CFS (all Carleton graduate students are members). To get yours, visit the CUSA offices at 401 Unicentre. Bring a photo, or have your photo taken there for a small cost. Look out for ISIC tables in the Atrium (4th floor Unicentre) throughout September as well.
For more information, see the CFS site.
ISIC cards are free for all members of the CFS (all Carleton graduate students are members). To get yours, visit the CUSA offices at 401 Unicentre. Bring a photo, or have your photo taken there for a small cost. Look out for ISIC tables in the Atrium (4th floor Unicentre) throughout September as well.
For more information, see the CFS site.
Health and Dental Plan
Since 2002, the GSA’s health plan is provided through the National Student Health Network, which was formed by the Canadian Federation of Students in 1985. By organising at the national level, the CFS was able to negotiate less expensive plans for students, while also getting student-focused benefits, such as the option to opt-out if a student has existing coverage, and the ability to use student cards as pay-direct benefit cards (so, for example, you don’t have to pay the full cost of prescriptions if you show your card – you just have to pay the portion that’s not insured).
The NSHN has realised many benefits for students, including on-line opt-outs, access to electronic forms for opting out or claiming benefits and very competitive rates. The NSHN was the first organisation in Canada to offer same-sex spouse benefits, a move that forced other carriers to acknowledge same-sex spouses in their benefit plans.
Before the CFS organised the NSHN, each student union had to bargain individually with an agent to get coverage, which often resulted in poor plans for students, and a good deal for agents. In pursuit of profit, agents prevented student unions from comparing prices, and locked them into multi-year deals. This prevented student unions from getting their students comprehensive coverage for a good rate.
As an advocate (instead of an agent), the NSHN reduces overhead costs by pooling resources for all of the schools that join on (there are currently 37 schools involved, representing more than 200,000 students). As a not-for-profit organisation, the NSHN also reduces administration fees by negating the “brokerage” fees that agents charge. They don’t allow multi-year contracts, demand rate guarantees, demand disclosure of all commissions and benefits and regularly audit the value of student plans.
Currently, the NSHN uses Green Shield Canada, which is Canada’s only national not-for-profit health and dental benefits provider. By providing less expensive health plan coverage, Green Shield is driving down the cost of private insurance in Canada – so the great deal we’re getting also benefits other Canadians.
The NSHN has revolutionised the health-insurance industry in Canada. They’ve forced the industry to be responsive to student needs by providing innovative services for students, cutting profit to a minimum. Not only have we ensured that our coverage and rates are as comprehensive and inexpensive as possible, we’ve forced competing carriers to lower their rates across Canada.
For details about the GSA's health and dental plan, offered through the CFS service, see our health plan page.
UFile.ca: File Your Taxes for Free Online
The Canadian Federation of Students and UFile.ca, Canada's online tax preparation Web site, have joined together to provide free online tax preparation and filing for all Canadian post-secondary students.
To file for free, and for tax tips for students, see ufile.ca.
Student Saver Discount Card
The Studentsaver Card is Canada's only student owned and operated national student discount program. With thousands of discounts across Canada, Studentsaver helps students save money on everyday purchases like books, clothing, food, and entertainment.
Members simply take their card to any of the participating businesses to receive discounts ranging from 10% to 50% off purchased goods and services. In addition to discounts, the card acts as a Federation membership card. Unlike the ISIC, the Studentsaver Card is available to part-time students.
You can find your card in your GSA handbook (stop by our office to pick one up!). Check out the list of stores you can save at online at studentsaver.ca.
The Student Work Abroad Program
Each year, thousands of students work in foreign countries through SWAP – Canada's largest international exchange program.
SWAP provides students with the means to combine periods of employment with time for exploring their host countries. By living and working in another country, a SWAP participant has a greater opportunity to learn about the people, lifestyles, and cultures of the host country.
SWAP offers programs in eleven countries including: Australia, Austria, Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, South Pacific and the United States.
SWAP participants pay a registration fee, and receive all necessary working papers, accommodation upon arrival, and other services. Most importantly, participants receive support from SWAP staff in Canada and abroad. Acting as a "safety net," staff inform participants of the local job and accommodation market, and help participants with the transition to life in a foreign country.
For further details, see SWAP.ca.