Getting Started
Join the team!
Interested in advocating and helping graduate students?
You can either join our board or a committee to focus on a specific area of work!
Resources
Health Benefits
helpful resources, information and links
The [email protected] email inbox is no longer monitored as the process for administering your benefits has changed in recent years.
All matters related to student health and dental coverage are now handled by the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) or by UHIP (for international students)
Health and Dental Plan inquiries: [email protected]
UHIP inquiries: [email protected]
If you are an International Student enrolled in the UHIP plan and you have not already done so, please register for your UHIP benefits card here. An important note: you are not automatically registered for this benefits card, please register for it within the first week of your term each year (in September, and January).
Claim submission through BlueCross
Opt In and Opt Out deadlines are as follows.
September 1 – September 30 (September-start students)
January 1 – January 31 (January-start students)
Opt-outs must be done online on our Trent Student VIP benefits website during the term in which you start your academic year.
TCSA Benefits Fund
This fund is open to all Trent students enrolled in the Trent Student Benefits Plan at either the Peterborough or Durham campus.It provides financial assistance for health and dental expenses not covered or exceeding plan limits — such as counselling, dental emergencies, eyewear, or weighted blankets.
Students can apply before or after incurring costs (receipts must be dated within three months of the application). Up to $3,000 is available per academic year.
Required documentation includes physician referrals or prescriptions, cost estimates or invoices, insurance coverage details, and a statement of financial need.
APPLICATION LINK
For questions email [email protected].
We have recently been made aware by many January intake graduate students that their plan is charged the September prior to their January start date, and terminates at the end of the Trent school year during the year of their graduation. This is an issue we are working hard to find a solution to in collaboration with various levels of the administration. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you would like to discuss this further.
Food Resources
TCSAs One Stop Chop Food Pantry.
Graduate Students can now access the TCSAs One Stop Chop Food Pantry. Follow the 2025 Annual General Meeting, graduate students voted to buy in to this service. You can book your appointment here.
The Seasoned Spoon
Pay-What-You-Can Soup:
Every Friday, the Seasoned Spoon offers soup on a pay-what-you-can basis, making healthy, locally-sourced food accessible to all.
Volunteering at the Spoon:
Volunteers enjoy a free meal and hot drink each shift while helping create an inclusive space that supports food security.
Spoon-it-Forward: In partnership with Champlain College, this program lets patrons buy a $10 meal for someone else to redeem later — open to anyone while supplies last.
Champlain Breakfast
Thursdays from 8:30 until supplies last. Graduate students welcome. Free. email [email protected] for more information.
Traill College Sunday Dinners
Bi-weekly, free, Sunday dinners from 5pm-7pm at Catherine Parr Traill College. Sponsored by TGSA, CUPE, Traill, Food Services, and SGS. Email [email protected] to inquire or visit @traillcollege on instagram for details.
The Vine Community Meals
Visit the Vine at 165 Sherbrooke Street on Mondays to access a free and delicious meal. Check @thevine_ptbo for more information, updates, and hours.
TGSA Events
We aim to have free food at all of our events. Follow our instagram to ensure you get the details as they come up!
Upcoming collaborations
The TGSA is working to establish an off-campus food resource that graduate students can access year-round. More information will be posted as things are finalized.
Trent Black
Student Support
The Black Student Support program is a safe space for current Trent Black students to come together for support and conversations around their Black experience at Trent, the Peterborough community and beyond. This confidential discussion group is led by two student facilitators who have a lived experience in the Black community. In addition the program runs other educational and social events during the year that are open to allies and the wider campus community. For more information about their initiatives and events, visit here.
Contact: [email protected].
Canadian Black Scientist Network
The Canadian Black Scientists Network exists to Elevate, make Visible, Celebrate and Connect Black Canadians in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine (STEMM) across sectors. We feel keenly the scarcity of Black scientists in Canada. The dearth of role models and mentors affects the aspirations of Black youth, the career progression and success of new Black scientists, and the ability of non-Black people to imagine accomplished scientists who look like us. Under-representation of Black scientists also robs Canada of innovative talent needed to tackle the pressing issues of the day. We have created this community to drive action to change these realities. Visit their website for upcoming events and career opportunities.
Contact: [email protected]
National Black Graduate Network
The National Black Graduate Network (NBGN) is affiliated with the Black Canadian Studies Association (BCSA), and emerged out of critical conversations among members of the 2019-2020 BCSA executive team about how academic racism impacts the growing numbers of students interested in pursuing Black Studies in Canada. We envisioned this interactive and secure website as a space from which to promote critical dialogue among network members and to develop a public resource for a new era of Black Studies scholarship in Canada. Click here to connect with Black graduate students and students of Black Studies in Canada through their blog and message board.
Direct Billing Health Clinics for International Students In Durham
Please see the link below for clinics in Durham Region that will bill directly to UHIP. https://uhip.ca/find-a-clinic-doctor-lab/#find-a-clinic-doctor-lab-close-to-you-that-accepts-uhip .
BURSARIES AND FUNDING Opportunities
The TGSA’s emergency fund, the TGSA Academic Development bursary and the TGSA Financial Support Bursary have been consolidated and added to the bursary and scholarship pool available to all graduate students, administered by the Financial Aid Team via your MyTrent portal. Keep an eye out for an email from Jane Rennie each term when the bursary applications open.
See the link below for more information
Know Your Campus
Welcome to Trent University! We’re so happy that you’ve decided to purse your graduate studies with us. No matter which campus you’re based out of, you have access to approximately 1,400 acres of research and teaching facilities featuring 11 distinct nature areas with over 30 kilometers of trails. We hope you take the time to explore our beautiful campus and all it has to offer!
Advocacy
We strive to improve your experience as a Trent graduate student.
Please free feel to fill in our Advocacy form below and we will address your concerns or issues in a timely manner.
Address
Wallis Hall 223,
Catharine Parr
Traill College,
315 Dublin St.,
Peterborough,
ON, K9H 7P4
