OCNews

In response to the unprecedented recent flooding events in the Interior and across B.C., our thoughts are with all those affected within our learning community and so many others around us. If you need support, or are looking for ways in which you can help, please refer to the links below. Additional resources, supports and information will be posted as they become available.  

If you need support 

Mental health supports 

Dealing with emergency situations can take an emotional toll on your mental health. Okanagan College encourages anyone impacted by the flooding and recent events to connect with resources: 

• Students requiring emotional support are invited to contact Counselling Services, Here2Talk.ca or the KUU-US Crisis Line Society which provides a First Nations and Indigenous specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free from anywhere in British Columbia. The KUU-US Crisis Line can be reached toll-free at 1-800-588-8717. Alternatively, you can call directly into the Youth Line at 250-723-2040 or the Adult Line at 250-723-4050, or online:  https://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com/. 
• Employees needing emotional support are invited to contact the EFAP provider, LifeWorks or the KUU-US Crisis Line for culturally relevant support for Indigenous employees. 

Emergency financial support for students 

OC has a number of emergency funding supports available for current students. Learn more in the Emergency funding section of the Financial Aid and Awards section of the website. 

Student loan borrowers  

The Canada Student Financial Assistance (CSFA) Program and the Province of British Columbia have announced the following measures to support student loan borrowers impacted by the flooding in B.C. who need help with their student loan payments.  

• Borrowers will have expedited and easier access to the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) by calling the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC). 
• Borrowers will be placed on a priority call list and an NSLSC agent will help them apply for RAP over the phone, and are allowed to provide a verbal attestation rather than proof of income documentation for the previous month.  
• RAP may be back-dated up to six months, based on verbal attestations. 
• Borrowers who self-identify as affected by flooding during outbound delinquency call campaigns may choose to have collection calls temporarily suspended (Canada Student Loans and Canada-B.C. integrated student loans). 

Other support for employees 

If you have been directly impacted by the floods or road closures, please contact your supervisor as soon as possible. There may be other supports available to you to through the College in addition to the emotional supports listed above. 

If you want to help 

• Donate to the OC Foundation to support the student emergency bursary fund or other awards/support for students. 
• Donate to the Princeton Flood Relief Fund administered by the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen. 
• Visit the City of Merritt flood donations campaign.  
• Give to the BC Flood Relief Fund from United Way