Help Laurier students in financial need get closer to graduation in 2024

Dec. 20, 2023

Financial support from the Laurier donor community is crucial for students like Arjun, who is in the final year of the BBA & Financial Mathematics dual-degree program. Donor-supported bursaries allowed him to focus on academics, athletics and leadership positions at Laurier. 

“After four incredible years at Laurier, I’m getting ready to graduate in the spring of 2024,” Arjun says. “But when I think about crossing the stage and joining the Laurier community, I can’t help but think of the classmates and friends who won’t be walking with me.”  

Rising inflation and the cost of living are pushing graduation out of reach for many students. Instead of pursuing their passions and concentrating on their studies, Arjun says that many of his classmates have been forced to reduce their course load or even take whole semesters off school to work or manage stress-related mental health problems.   

“I found my home at Laurier,” he says. “The classmates who became best friends, the life lessons I learned and the pride in donning the Golden Hawk jersey have made my experience as special as can be. I’m deeply thankful for the bursaries that have made my experience possible.” 

There’s still time to provide crucial bursary support and help students get closer to graduation – all gifts made before Dec. 31, 2023 will be eligible for a 2023 tax receipt.  

“Right now, bursaries are the single most effective way you can help a Laurier student in financial need,” says Laurier Dean of Students Adam Lawrence. “Maybe you’ve read the news that the number of students accessing Food Banks has more than doubled in Waterloo Region. Even with the Mini-Market and food security initiatives, it gets harder every year for students to cover the costs of housing, tuition and groceries.” 

Donate to student bursaries and you could be the reason a struggling student aces the winter semester. 

A last-minute gift idea – while seats last 

We’re not launching this seat-naming opportunity until the new year, but we have a great gift idea for the music lover in your life… Save Your Seat today!  

Name a refurbished seat in the Maureen Forrester Recital Hall with a $500 donation (or $42 per month) to Laurier’s world-renowned Faculty of Music.   

Whether your gift directly impacts students in need through bursaries, names a seat in honour of a loved one (or yourself!) or supports another area at the university that is most meaningful to you, thank you for investing in a better Laurier student experience. 

All donations made to Laurier before midnight on Dec. 31, 2023, are eligible for a 2023 tax receipt.  

Ensure your donation is properly credited for the 2023 tax year 

Online Giving 

The easiest way to ensure you receive a year-end giving credit is to make a gift online. Online gifts must be received by midnight on Dec. 31, 2023 to qualify for a 2023 tax receipt.  

Mail 

If you are making a gift by cheque, your cheque must be dated before Dec. 31, 2023 and the envelope must be postmarked or date-stamped no later than Dec. 31, 2023 to be eligible for a 2023 tax receipt. 

Cheques should be made out to Wilfrid Laurier University and mailed to: 

Wilfrid Laurier University
Advancement, Alumni Hall 
75 University Avenue West 
Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5  

In Person 

If you are making your gift in person, please note that the university closes for the holiday season on Dec. 21 at 4:30 p.m. and re-opens on Jan. 2, 2024. For your convenience, there is a drop box located at the main entrance of Alumni Hall (to the left of the doors) on the Waterloo campus. In Brantford, donations can be dropped off at the Special Constable drop box at 45 Market St.

If you have questions about your donation or require information during the holiday period, please contact Ryan Brejak, interim Director: Annual and Leadership Giving, at 548.889.4821 or rbrejak@wlu.ca. 

Happy Holidays!