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Student Services & Forms

Access all Office of Student Experience forms that you will need as a NSCAD student. 

Services

NSCAD’s Office of Student Experience (OSE) is your one-stop shop for questions related to university services and experiences. Our friendly Front Counter Team can answer your question or can refer you to the folks who can!

The Office of Student Experience encompasses the following three departments:

  • The Office of Admissions and Recruitment
  • The Office of the Registrar
  • The Office of Opportunity and Belonging

Below are the services you can access through our Front Counter Team:

Student ID Card

Your Student ID Card confirms your identity as a student of the institution. Your ID card includes your preferred name, photo and student number, as well as a sticker that validates your registration in a given semester and your Metro Transit UPASS which gives you access to bus and ferry service in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Please have your Student ID Card available when visiting any NSCAD office, as it may be required when requesting assistance or making an inquiry.

Where to Get Your Student ID Card

Student ID cards can be printed at the Office of Student Experience (OSE):

Office of Student Experience (OSE)
 5163 Duke Street
 Halifax, NS B3J 3J6
 2nd Floor, beside the elevator

At the beginning of each semester, students can visit the OSE to receive their semester sticker. The sticker is placed on the back of the Student ID Card and confirms that the student is enrolled for the current semester. Students must be enrolled in a semester to receive the appropriate semester sticker.

The Student U-Pass allows full-time NSCAD students to use the Halifax Transit system every day while they are enrolled in studies. The U-Pass is available to NSCAD students who meet the eligibility requirements outlined below.

At the beginning of each semester, students can visit the OSE to pick up their bus pass. The sticker is placed on the front of the Student ID Card and confirms that the student is enrolled for the current semester.

Fall/Winter U-Pass Eligibility (September to April)

Students Registered in 9–15 Credits

Students registered in 9–15 credits for the Fall and Winter semesters are eligible to receive a U-Pass. They may pick up their U-Pass when the Fall semester begins.

MAED Students

Students enrolled in the MAED program who are registered in 6 or more credits are eligible to receive their U-Pass from the OSE.

Students Registered in 6 Credits

Students registered in 6 credits who are on the accommodation list must:

  1. Go to the Student Accounts Office and pay for their U-Pass.
  2. Bring their payment receipt to the OSE to receive their U-Pass.

Students Registered in Fewer Than 6 Credits

Students registered in fewer than 6 credits who are on the accommodation list are not eligible to purchase or receive a U-Pass.

Students registered in fewer than 9 credits who are not on the accommodation list are also not eligible to purchase or receive a U-Pass.

Winter Term U-Pass Eligibility (January to April)

The Winter U-Pass uses the same U-Pass sticker as the Fall term. However, because the Winter U-Pass fee is lower than the Fall/Winter U-Pass fee, students may only pick up their Winter U-Pass when the Winter semester begins.

Students Registered in 9–15 Credits

Students registered in 9–15 credits for the Winter semester are eligible to receive a U-Pass when the Winter semester begins.

MAED Students

Students enrolled in the MAED program who are registered in 6 or more credits are eligible to receive their U-Pass from the OSE.

Students Registered in 6 Credits

Students registered in 6 credits who are on the accommodation list must:

  1. Go to the Student Accounts Office and pay for their U-Pass.
  2. Bring their payment receipt to the OSE to receive their U-Pass.

Students Registered in Fewer Than 6 Credits

Students registered in fewer than 6 credits who are on the accommodation list are not eligible to purchase or receive a U-Pass.

Students registered in fewer than 9 credits who are not on the accommodation list are also not eligible to purchase or receive a U-Pass.

Summer U-Pass Eligibility (May to August)

Summer U-Pass eligibility is based on the student’s registration in Summer A, Summer B, or the full Summer term, as well as whether the student is on the accommodation list.

Students Registered in 9–15 Credits

Students registered in 9–15 credits for the full Summer term are eligible to receive a U-Pass when the Summer semester begins.

Students Registered in 6 Credits

Students registered in 6 credits are reviewed based on their Summer registration and whether they are on the accommodation list.

The following students are eligible to pay for a U-Pass through Student Accounts and must bring their payment receipt to the OSE to receive their U-Pass:

  • Students registered in 3 credits in Summer A or Summer B who are on the accommodation list.
  • Students registered in 6 credits across the full Summer term who are on the accommodation list.
  • Students registered in 6 credits in Summer A or Summer B only.

Students registered in fewer than 6 credits for the full Summer term, even if they are on the accommodation list, are not eligible to pay for or receive a U-Pass.

MFA and MAED Students

MFA and MAED students who are registered in fewer than 9 credits or are not registered for any credits are eligible to pay for a U-Pass through Student Accounts.

These students must:

  1. Go to the Student Accounts Office and pay for their U-Pass.
  2. Bring their payment receipt to the OSE to receive their U-Pass.


U-Pass Billing and Opt-Out

For eligible full-time students, the U-Pass fee is automatically billed to the student’s account.

If a student wishes to opt out of the U-Pass, they should contact student accounts: studentaccounts@nscad.ca

Students who are required to pay for their U-Pass separately must pay through Student Accounts before visiting the OSE to receive their U-Pass.

The Office of Student Experience can help you navigate the process of booking an appointment at the institution for one of the following services:

  • Admissions Requirements and Campus Tours
  • Academic Advising
  • Policy and Appeal Guidance
  • Exchange and Off-Campus Study Information
  • Career and Experiential Learning Advising
  • International Student Advising
  • Accommodation and Accessibility Advising
  • Counselling and Mental Health Support

Visit the OSE in-person for more information, or access our online booking portal to schedule time with one of our advisors!

Transcripts are an official copy of a student’s academic record. Official transcripts can be shared with third parties and are issued digitally through the MyCreds™ network. Printed transcripts are available by request.

How to Request a Transcript

Students can submit a Request for Transcript of Academic Record.

Unless otherwise requested, official transcripts will be issued digitally through the MyCreds portal. Payment for digital transcripts is also made through the MyCreds portal.

MyCreds provides secure access to request and share official transcripts, enrolment letters, confirmations of graduation, and semester reports for Visual Arts Certificate for Teachers students with employers, government offices, and other organizations. Students have access to a secure, password-protected learner credential wallet that allows them to share their credentials anytime, anywhere.

  • The fee for each official transcript is $10 CAD.
  • The fee for each printed unofficial transcript is $5 CAD, which must be paid by calling the OSE at 902-494-8260.
  • Digital copies of unofficial transcripts are provided free of charge.
  • Transcripts cannot be issued if there are outstanding fees on file.
  • For questions about requesting a transcript, email registrar@nscad.ca.


Note: Transcripts received by NSCAD University from high schools or other post-secondary institutions cannot be released by NSCAD as the third party. Students must request these transcripts directly from the original issuing institution.

A Confirmation of Enrolment can be used for a number of purposes by parties external to the institution, including banking and RESPs, eligibility for health insurance, external loan agencies, and study permit renewals.

How to Request a Confirmation of Enrolment

Request link: Confirmation of Enrolment

A Confirmation of Enrolment is only valid as of the date it is issued. If you make any changes to your enrolment after the letter is issued that affect your student status, such as changing from full-time to part-time or completely withdrawing from your studies, you will need to request an updated Confirmation of Enrolment.

All Confirmation of Enrolment letters will be provided digitally through the secure MyCreds portal. Once your letter is ready, you will receive an email from MyCreds with instructions to create an account. Through the portal, you will be able to download or share your Confirmation of Enrolment with the appropriate parties.

Important: A Confirmation of Enrolment from NSCAD is not the same as a Confirmation of Enrolment required by federal or provincial student loan agencies. If you have questions about your government student loans, please email funding@nscad.ca.

A Confirmation of Graduation is an official document, provided as a signed digital document, confirming that a student has completed all program requirements and has been awarded their degree or certificate. A Confirmation of Graduation is issued on the day or after the official conferred date.

Eligibility to graduate:


Students who have completed all their program requirements but have not yet reached their official graduation/conferred date are not yet eligible to receive a Confirmation of Graduation.

However, they may request an Eligibility to Graduate letter confirming that they have completed their program requirements and are eligible to graduate once their degree or certificate is officially conferred.

How to request: Please reach out to registrar@nscad.ca for request.

Forms

Nearly all NSCAD forms are located on the forms portal where students, staff, and faculty can find important forms related to work and studying at NSCAD. If you can’t find a form on this page, please sign into the forms portal with your NSCAD username and password.

Forms Portal

Access the NSCAD Forms portal

A note about PDF forms: Not all of our student forms are in the portal because they are PDF documents. Some of the following PDF forms are only fillable in Adobe Reader. If your default PDF reader or your web browser’s plugin doesn’t support fillable form fields, please download and save the PDF file and then open it with Adobe Reader.

Academic Forms

Appeal Guide
Academic regulations at NSCAD University are designed to ensure that students are being treated fairly and equitably while upholding the academic standards of the institution. NSCAD University students have the right to appeal academic decisions or to ask for an exception to a university rule or policy on an academic matter.

Formal Academic Appeal
This form is used for students pursuing the Level Two Procedural Appeal to the Academic Appeal Committee. 

Academic Continuance Guideline
Students are expected to make regular and systematic progress toward completing the requirements for their degrees. NSCAD University recognizes that unexpected and unforeseen circumstances may, on occasion, affect a student’s capacity to complete their degree in a linear manner. Read these guidelines for information on extensions or continuations in an academic program

Change of Grade Request
Students may use this form to request a change of a final grade. This is the first step in the grade appeal process.

NSCAD Independent Study Approval Form 
It is highly recommended that students who are interested in Independent Study meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss this option and review the process for requesting an Independent study well in advance of their intended start date

Declaration of Degree, Major and Minor
Students may use this form to declare their Major and/or Minor after completion of their Foundation program and specific Major requirements.

Letter of Permission for Host Universities
Students in Good Academic Standing intending to take a course on a “Letter of Permission” at Dalhousie, King’s, MSVU, SMU or another host institution require a Letter of Permission. Complete this form and bring it to the Office of the Registrar for validation.

Re-entering After an Absence
Students intending to return to NSCAD to resume their studies after an absence of 3 semesters or more may use this form.

Request for Transcript of Academic Record
Unless otherwise requested, official transcripts will be issued digitally through the MyCreds portal. Payment for digital transcripts are also made within the MyCreds portal. MyCreds provides fast and easy access to request and send your transcripts, enrolment letters, confirmations of graduation and semester reports for Visual Arts Certificate for Teachers students to employers, government offices and others. With MyCreds, you get access to a secure, password protected learner credential wallet that allows you to share your credentials anytime, anywhere.

• The fee for each official transcript is $10 CAD.
• The fee for each printed unofficial transcript is $5 CAD, which must be paid by calling OSE at 902 494 8260.
• Digital copies of unofficial transcripts are provided free of charge.
• Transcripts cannot be issued if there are outstanding fees on file.
• Email registrar@nscad.ca for questions about requesting a transcript

Note: Transcripts received by NSCAD University from High School or other Post Secondary studies cannot be released by NSCAD University as the third party. Students need to request transcripts from the original issuing institution.

Withdrawal for a Semester or Permanently
Students withdrawing from all classes must complete a Withdrawal Form. If a student does not formally withdraw from NSCAD, the student will be charged full tuition fees and other applicable fees.

Withdrawal from a semester is effective the date written notification is received in the Office of the Registrar. The Office of Finance and Administration will be notified by the Office of the Registrar. Until official written notification is received by NSCAD, students are ineligible for any refund of fees or exemption from unpaid fees. If the student’s withdrawal will result in a refund, the student must apply for the refund at the time of her/his change in registration status.

NON-ATTENDANCE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OFFICIAL WITHDRAWAL and will result in a student receiving a Fail grade and being ineligible for any refund of fees or exemption from unpaid fees.

Application to Enroll in a Course at an Outside Institution
This form is for NSCAD students who would like to enroll on a Letter of Permission at an outside institution. This form is to be reviewed by the Director of the MFA Program and the Registrar. Please be sure to complete a LETTER OF PERMISSION form as well.

Program Advisor Agreement Form for MFA Graduate Students

Graduate Independent Research Form
MFA Graduate Students may use this form to apply to register in graduate-level Independent Research courses.

Visiting Graduate Independent Research Form
Visiting Graduate Students may use this form to apply to register in graduate-level Independent Research courses.

Application to Graduate

Students are required to apply to graduate during the application period that is closest to the term when they intend to complete their studies. Applications are submitted through the Graduation Overview portal in Self-Service. Application periods are as follows:

Summer Completion
May 15 – July 1
Administrative Graduation Date: October 15
Convocation Ceremony Date: Spring (early to mid May)

Fall or Winter Completion
October 1 – December 1
Administrative Graduation Date: early May
Convocation Ceremony Date: Spring (early to mid May)

In-Course Scholarship Application form (MF)
This application is open annually from March 15 to May 31and is assessed over the Summer. Successful applicants will have their scholarship automatically credited to their tuition and fees account in the Fall semester. There are also several scholarships and awards that are administered and adjudicated outside the Common In-Course Scholarship Application Form.

Material Bursary Application Form
This application is open in October and February each year, and in July if funds are available. It is designed to support students with demonstrated financial need who are struggling to purchase the supplies they need for their program. Students can receive a maximum of $300 per semester. When applying for this bursary, students must provide the list of materials required and receipts or screenshots of a shopping cart so the Registrar’s Office can assess the cost of your materials.

Food Security Bursary Application Form
Please see the Need-Based Bursary application for more information

Needs-based Bursary Application form
The Needs Based Bursary is intended to help supplement other funding sources. Bursaries are typically valued at $500.  To apply for this bursary, you must upload documentation showing proof of financial need, including a Financial Need Assessment form. Students in need are eligible to access this bursary once per semester. Qualifying students may also be eligible for the Food Security Bursary and are asked to identify that they wish to apply for the Food Security Bursary as part of the Needs-Based Bursary application.

Dalglish Family Exhibition Bursary Application form 
This is a funding opportunity for graduating students in their graduating year to assist with costs related to their final exhibition. This funding opportunity is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents only.

Interim Loan Application
Students who have been approved for student assistance but whose funds have not yet been released yet, are eligible to apply for temporary loans. Students must meet with a Financial Aid Advisor to discuss their need before they are eligible to apply for an Interim Loan. Please email funding@nscad.ca for assistance.

Emergency Bursary Application
Students are eligible to apply for an Emergency Bursary at any time outside the bursary application periods noted above. Students must meet with a Financial Aid Advisor to discuss their emergent need before they are eligible to apply for an Emergency Bursary.

Material Fee Refund Form This form must be approved by your instructor and submitted to the Finance Office BEFORE the last day of the Semester of course enrolment.

  • Full refunds will be given before the first day of the semester.
  • After this date, no refund will be given without a completed Material Fee Refund Form.
  • No refunds will be given after the last day of the semester in which the material fee was charged.

Travel Subsidy Application (Individual student)
NSCAD University understands the value of travel on a student’s education. In particular, travel to attend conferences, festivals and / or conduct research is important in shaping a well-rounded educational experience. Each academic year a nominal fund can support up to $800 per applicant as resources permit. Applicants must be registered in an undergraduate or graduate program at NSCAD as a full-time student (9-15 credits / semester or 6 credits for a student with a registered accommodation) and maintain that status throughout the semester in which the award is to be distributed.

Eligible Travel Expenses
Eligible travel expenses include travel to and from a destination, attendance fees and accommodations.

Class Trip Travel Subsidy Application 
This travel subsidy is available to assist full-time NSCAD students (not Exchange) with travel expenses associated with a class trip. For the purposes of funding class trips, 3 or more students will be defined as a class. Trips are normally led by Regular Faculty (full-time, pro-rated or part-time faculty), but ICA and LTS instructors may apply for funding by obtaining divisional approval and the approval of the Vice-President (Academic and Research) and Provost on the application form.

Change of Address
If your Local or Permanent address changes, it is very important that this information updated on your Self Service account. If you have trouble updating your account please email registrar@nscad.ca.

Confirmation of Enrolment
Students can use this form to request a document that confirms enrolment in a particular semester. Note that this is not the same as a confirmation of enrolment that Student Accounts works on for student loan purposes.

Locker Application and Policy
Submit this form to the Security Desk at the Port Campus if you wish to obtain a Port Locker. Please read the instructions carefully.

Release of Student Information
Submit this form to the Office of the Registrar if you wish to have elements of your academic file (i.e. grades, transcripts) released to anyone other than yourself. This form can also be used for release to third parties for items such as confirmation of degree completion for employment purposes.

Retract Release of Student Information
Submit this form if you wish to remove consent for an individual to have access to your academic record.

Group Travel Waiver Form (Appendix A)
This form must be completed by the instructor ahead of any class trip. Please email registrar@nscad.ca for assistance.

Individual Travel Waiver Form (Appendix B)
This form must be completed by the student ahead of any university-approved travel (i.e. Exchange or Off-Campus Study, approved research travel, or travel related to a class trip). Please email registrar@nscad.ca for assistance.