Military Support

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus has always had a close relationship with Garrison Petawawa and the soldiers and families that are part of one of Canada’s largest military communities. Dozens of current and former soldiers, military spouses and dependents attend the campus each year. To support them, the College offers many special services geared to military members and their families.

In 2023, the campus and the Garrison signed a memorandum of collaboration to further develop support systems to help the military community access post-secondary training at the campus. This is particularly important for military members who are leaving the Canadian Armed Forces and transitioning to the civilian workforce.

Financial Aid and Special Supports

The Financial Aid team is here to provide you with support and resources over the course of your studies. From OSAP, Travel Awards and Bursaries we want to make your experience the best! Have questions? Have a look around! We’re sure you’ll find what you are looking for.

Visit our Financial Aid website for an overview of our support service. Below are financial support services specifically for those with a military connection.

Algonquin College

  • Project Hero: Algonquin College provides free tuition to the dependents of soldiers killed in the line of duty. 
  • Ottawa Senators Military Bursary: The Ottawa Senators have created a large endowment to support military spouses/dependents who study at any Algonquin College campus with paying for their educational investment. The Sens Military Bursary is awarded to many students each year who attend the Pembroke Waterfront Campus.
  • Support our Troops transportation allowance for military spouses. In partnership with National Defence Welfare Support Series, the Pembroke Waterfront Campus provides up to $300 in funding to military spouses to get to and from the campus to attend classes or for emergency childcare situations or for tutoring support. Complete transportation allowance application.

Veterans Affairs

  • Career Transition Services: During your service, you developed skills and knowledge that can help you in a new career. The Career Transition Services Program can help you find a career that is best suited for you. 
  • Education and Training Benefit: The Education and Training Benefit helps you achieve your education and career goals. You may be eligible to receive up to $80,000 in funding. Whether you are furthering your education journey or just beginning a new one, this is the perfect place to start. 
  • Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program: The purpose of rehabilitation services is to ensure that you improve your health to the fullest extent possible and adjust to life at home, in your community or at work.\
  • Veterans Emergency Fund: The Veterans Emergency Fund (VEF) provides emergency financial support to Veterans, their families and survivors whose well-being is at risk due to an urgent and unexpected situation. 

Additional Supports

Counselling Support

The Pembroke Campus is committed to supporting all of our students in their post-secondary journey.  We recognize that military life can bring pressures that do not exist for civilian students, and therefore our student services team works hard to provide additional supports to military members, veterans, and military spouses and dependents. Several members of our student services team are military partners, and our campus counsellor provides personal and career counselling that can include referrals to additional community resources. Learn more about our Counselling Services.

 

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Canadian soldiers accumulate excellent skills over the course of their careers. As they transition to civilian life, many turn to post-secondary education. It’s possible that some retiring soldiers can earn college credits through a process called Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).

By demonstrating the skills they have obtained through portfolios or examinations, they may be able to challenge one or more courses that can lessen their workload when they enroll in a full-time college program. Learn more about the PLAR process.

 

Peer Support Groups

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus has many staff and faculty who are members of the military community. Each year, there are also dozens of current military members, former soldiers and spouses enrolled at the campus. 

Many of the military partners who study at our campus are new to the Pembroke/Petawawa area and we help them adjust to their new surroundings. The College facilitates peer support groups for military spouses, helping connect them with other military partners who are also engaged in post-secondary studies.

These connections can be invaluable in providing a broader support network, particularly when soldiers are away on deployments. They also provide opportunities for mentoring, tutoring and referrals to other campus and community services.

Ask A Military Spouse?

We have military spouses who work at our campus who have agreed to make themselves available to answer questions from military partners who are studying at our campus. This is an excellent resource if you just want to have a private and confidential discussion with another military spouse. Email soldieron@algonquincollege.com to start your conversation.

 

Resources for Military Students/Spouses

Remembrance Day

November 11th is a very somber day on campus. A Remembrance Day service is always held involving students and staff. Current soldiers who are studying at the campus are invited to wear their uniforms and students who have military members in their family are encouraged to bring them to the service. Classes are suspended to allow students to attend the service. 

 

Student & Alumni Stories

Marcie Lane remembers the excruciating pain of losing her husband. Master Corporal Scott Vernelli was a career soldier committed to the cause of the Canadian Armed Forces to bring peace and stability to people worldwide, and he repeatedly volunteered for missions.  In Afghanistan, he would lose his life only six months after he and Lane had welcomed their first child into the world. Learn more about Marcie Lane’s story.

Daniel Larente is looking for adventure, literally. The 43-year-old Algonquin College student has already packed a lot into his life, but now he is about to explore a new career pathway, one that is driven by his passion for the outdoors. Learn more about Daniel Larente’s story. 

Preparing for College

We understand that coming to college is a big transition and we have many supports in place for that experience.

The Academic Upgrading Program is a wonderful way to get yourself ready for the college experience, brush up on your learning or get credits you need for college programs.

In addition, the program has created a CAF to College guide that can also support you alongside your Academic Advisor, to navigate the specific nuances of this time of transition.

Check out the Academic Upgrading Program here.

The Academic Upgrading program offered pilot program courses called CAF to College and Success Strategies for the Military Spouse. At present, we are seeking additional funding to continue this initiative. In the meantime, the Academic Upgrading program can support your goals and can add you to a waitlist for the future.

View the Course Information Here:

Did you know about 30% of our student population has a military connection? That includes a large number of military spouses and family members. The video below outlines the supports, resources, and our campus culture.