Services

The services and benefits we offer to our members.

The Deals App

The Deals App

To help make your day to day life a little more affordable, the BC Federation of Students, the provincial students’ union, and your students’ society have partnered with businesses to provide student discounts through our mobile app Deals. Download the FREE Deals App and start saving money today: http://www.wearebcstudents.ca/deals

Health & Dental Plan

Health & Dental Plan

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE GRADUATE STUDENT HEALTH AND DENTAL PLAN, PLEASE CONTACT STUDENTCARE, THE ORGANIZATION THAT ADMINISTERS THE PLAN, AT THEIR TOLL-FREE PHONE NUMBER +1-250-649-4552 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.STUDENTCARE.CA

To help UNBC graduate students pay for the health services they need, the NBCGSS has partnered with Student care to provide students with extended health and dental coverage. The Plan is designed specifically to fill the gaps in provincial health care (the British Columbia Medical Services Plan) and other basic health-care programs.

Who’s Covered?

NBCGSS members registered in the ongoing semester and paying NBCGSS fees are automatically covered by the Graduate Student Health & Dental Plan. This includes:

  • Full-time and part-time students
  • Students enrolled in Internet-based courses
  • International students

Students not automatically covered but eligible to self-enroll:

  • Regional campus graduate students
  • Students who registered at UNBC after Nov. 30 (or the nearest business day prior to that, if Nov. 30 falls on a weekend) can enrol themselves for winter coverage (from Jan. 1 – Aug. 31, 2025) by completing an enrolment process during the January Change-of-Coverage Period.
  • Students who have completed a permanent opt out

Students not eligible for coverage

  • Students who aren’t NBCGSS members

All enrolments must be completed during the Change-of-Coverage Period. If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, check your student fee account or contact Studentcare.

Please note that students and their dependants aren’t covered for out-of-province or out-of-country emergency services once they reach age 65. For more details, contact Studentcare.

Your coverage

Among other benefits, the Plan covers:

  • Up to 80% for prescription drugs and prescription vaccinations
  • 80% (up to $150 per policy year) for non-prescription vaccinations
  • Up to $4,000 for health practitioners (psychologists, massage therapists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, etc.)
  • Up to $350 in vision care (eye exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses, laser eye surgery)
  • Up to $750 in dental care (checkups, cleanings, fillings, extractions, endodontics, periodontics, etc.)
  • Travel health coverage (up to $5,000,000 per incident, 120 days per trip), trip cancellation, and trip interruption in the event of a medical emergency

Visit www.studentcare.ca for complete details.

How Can I Save More?

You can further enhance your benefits by visiting health professionals who are members of the Dental, Vision, Chiropractic, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Doctor, and Psychology Networks. You are covered for the insured portion regardless of the health professional you choose. By consulting a Network member, you will get additional coverage. For example, by visiting a Dental Network member, you will receive an additional 20% off dental services. Visit www.studentcare.ca for more information.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Plan fee for full-year coverage (Sept. 1, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2025) is $234.60. The cost of the Plan is part of your student fees if you are automatically assessed the fee. For the January 2025 Semester, the Plan fee is $156.40 for only new January graduate students for coverage from January 1, 2025, to August 31, 2025, if you are automatically assessed the fee.

Can I Change My Coverage?

If you are covered by another extended health and dental plan (e.g. a parent’s or spouse’s employee plan, not BC MSP), you can combine both plans to maximize your overall coverage and reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs.

Alternatively, if you have other equivalent coverage, you can opt out of the Plan during the Change-of-Coverage Period from Sept. 3 – 24, 2024, Jan. 2 – 23, 2025 (for new students starting in January), or within 2 weeks of your registration date, whichever is later. After your opt-out is completed and shortly after the end of the Change-of-Coverage Period, the NBCGSS Health & Dental Plan fee will be credited to your student account. You’re responsible for paying all university fees within the prescribed deadlines. If you don’t pay the NBCGSS Plan fee, you may be assessed late fees and interest. We recommend that you pay all university fees even if you’re opting out of the NBCGSS Health & Dental Plan.

Not Sure You Need a Plan? Weigh the Costs and Benefits. Click on the link Change of Coverage_Opt Outs to see what students consider before making a decision. Opt-Outs If you’re already covered by an equivalent health and dental plan (such as a parent or spouse’s employee benefit plan, or a plan provided by your band council or through Health Canada), you can opt out and receive a credit to your student account for the amount of the Plan.

Have More Questions?

Information is available online at www.studentcare.ca or by calling the Studentcare Member Services Centre at  +1-250-649-4552, Mon. – Fri.

Graduate Computer Lab

Graduate Computer Lab

The graduate student computer lab has restricted access located in the west wing of the Teaching and Learning Building (Building 10) in room 10–3032.

Because the NBCGSS has no access to any students’ accounts, e-mail gssoffice@unbc.ca with the following information:

  • Your name
  • Your student number
  • Your UNBC e-mail address
  • Your phone number
  • A copy of your graduate student registration status (screenshot or photo is acceptable)

The NBCGSS will fill out the form. The form will be sent to the UNBC Facilities Department, which completes the process of the student ID card activation. Once the UNBC Facilities Department grants approval, you need to have your student card encoded at the Facilities Department.

 

Graduate Lounge

Graduate Lounge

The NBCGSS maintains a restricted-access lounge for members located in the west wing of the Teaching and Learning Building in room 10-3016 at the Prince George campus.

Rules for the lounge:

  • The lounge is open to all NBCGSS members 24 hours per day
  • Clean up after yourself
  • Do not post unrelated material in the lounge

The lounge is accessed by swiping an activated student ID card.

Because the NBCGSS has no access to any students’ accounts, e-mail gssoffice@unbc.ca with the following information:

  • Your name
  • Your student number
  • Your UNBC e-mail address
  • Your phone number
  • A copy of your graduate student registration status (screenshot or photo is acceptable)

The NBCGSS will fill out the form. The form will be sent to the UNBC Facilities Department, which completes the process of the student ID card activation. Once the UNBC Facilities Department grants approval, you need to have your student card encoded at the Facilities Department.

U-Pass

U-Pass

U-PASS and municipal recreation facilities

The Prince George Transit bus pass program (U-PASS) is a mandatory fee that is automatically applied to all students registered in classes on the UNBC Prince George campus.

Obtaining your U-PASS

You have the option to use either the Umo mobile app or a re-loadable Umo card. You cannot use both the Umo app and the card. Each term, the University will provide you with a unique-to-you benefit code. It is necessary to activate your U-PASS every term with that term’s benefit code.

In your Umo account, you can redeem your student benefit code early, but your U-PASS is active starting on the following dates:

  • For September semester – September 1
  • For January semester – January 1
  • For May semester – May 1

How to redeem your benefit code:

Once the card is found, click on ‘U-PASS code’.

Sign in to the myUNBC student portal for your unique-to-you benefit code.

From the main menu, click on ‘Discover’.

In the ‘Find cards’ search field, search for ‘BC Transit’.

Once the card is found, click on ‘U-PASS code’.

Umo mobile app

For first-time users of the Umo mobile app:

Download the Umo Mobility app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Create a Umo account (we recommend using your UNBC email address as your username).

    For current Umo app users:

    Once the agency is chosen, PGR or QUE will populate in the benefit code field.

    Inside the Umo app, select ‘Redeem Benefit’ from the top menu. 

    Tap ‘Change Agency’; for Prince George, choose ‘PGR – Prince George Transit’; for Quesnel, choose ‘QUE – Quesnel Transit’.

    Enter the 8-character benefit code to link your U-PASS to the Umo mobile app.

    Once the agency is chosen, PGR or QUE will populate in the benefit code field.

    Umo mobile app

    For first-time users of the Umo Pass card:

    Pick up a re-loadable Umo Pass card free from the UNBC Bookstore in Prince George, or at the South-Central campus in Quesnel.

    Before redeeming your student benefit code: 

    visit the Umo Pass website to create an account and register your card.

    On the Umo Pass website, click on the left menu.

    Select ‘Change Agency’; for Prince George, choose ‘PGR – Prince George Transit’; for Quesnel, choose ‘QUE – Quesnel Transit’.

      For current Umo Pass card users:

      Once the agency is chosen, PGR or QUE will populate in the benefit code field. 

      In your Umo account, select ‘My Wallet’, then ‘Redeem Benefit Code’.

      Enter your 8-character benefit code to link your U-PASS to your Umo Pass card.

      Once the agency is chosen, PGR or QUE will populate in the benefit code field. 

      Access to municipal recreational services

      The Northern Undergraduate Student Society (NUGSS), Northern BC Graduate Student Society (NBCGSS), UNBC, the City of Prince George, the City of Quesnel, and BC Transit have collaborated to provide access for students attending courses at UNBC’s Prince George Campus to the Aquatic Centre and Canfor Leisure Pool or for students attending courses at the South-Central campus to the Arts and Recreation Centre in Quesnel.

      How to set up an account at the municipal recreation centres

      • Students using the Umo app present their student ID card and registration status located on the app to the municipal recreation centre member. 
      • Students using the Umo Pass card require an enrolment term sticker on their student ID card then both are presented for an account.
        • Enrolment term stickers may be picked up at the Cashier Office in Prince George during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). For students in Quesnel, contact the South-Central campus office.

      Students are required to present their UNBC student ID card for verification and have a UNBC student account in good standing. New students will be required to present other valid picture ID to receive their UNBC student ID card and enrolment term sticker. 

      Once your account is set up at the municipal recreation centres, at each visit, scan the barcode on the back of your student ID card for entrance into the facility.

      Need help? 

      For help with the Umo app, please contact BC Transit directly.

      Contact BC Transit

      For help accessing your benefit code, contact the UNBC IT Service Desk.

      Contact IT Service Desk

      IT Service Desk location and hours

      Located on the second floor of the Teaching Lab, room 8-264.

      • Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
      • Closed daily from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
      Emergency Bursary Fund

      Emergency Bursary Fund

      NBCGSS funds the NBCGSS Emergency Bursary Fund for members that are administered by the UNBC Awards and Financial Aid Unit of the Office of the Registrar. Emergency aid can be awarded to qualified graduate student members to a maximum of $250 per student per academic year, depending on the amount remaining in the NBCGSS Emergency Bursary Fund. The NBCGSS Emergency Bursary Fund is available to members who demonstrate considerable need in meeting the necessities of life and have exhausted all other avenues of funding within UNBC. For more information or to obtain the forms, please contact the UNBC Awards and Financial Aid Unit at awards@unbc.ca

      Legacy Scholarships

      Legacy Scholarships

      The NBCGSS Legacy Scholarships were established by the NBCGSS to support members who excel at UNBC. The goal of the $500 scholarships, which is available to two full-time graduate students – one graduate student from College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences, and the other from College of Science and Management, is to recognize and support academic excellence. In addition to academic excellence, contributions to the graduate student culture and graduate program in which the applicant is enrolled will also be evaluated.

      For more information or to view the application deadline, please visit UNBC Awards and Financial Aid Unit

      Welcome Kit

      Welcome Kit

      As a member of the NBCGSS, the free Welcome Kit is available to current UNBC graduate students. Items include: the annual handbook and dayplanner, pen, highlighter, sustainable bottle/Mug, and cellphone wallet. Visit our office during office hours to pick up some free swag!

      Legal Assistance

      Legal Assistance

      Legal advice can cost hundreds of dollars per hour to speak to a lawyer.

      As a member of the NBCGSS and BC Federation of Students, you are eligible for FREE, unlimited legal advice over the phone in the following areas of law: Family, Criminal, Civil litigation, Landlord and Tenant, Wills and Estates, Tax, Employment, Immigration, and Identity Theft Support.

      You can call on the phone number 1 877-333-3884 anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak to a customer service representative who can arrange for you to speak to a lawyer at no charge.

      If you need to retain a lawyer, a referral to a local lawyer can be provided with a free initial 30 minute consultation and a 25% discount on their standard legal fees. The lawyer will be assigned based on your specific legal issue so you can rest assured they have the experience and knowledge to assist you.

      Printing

      Printing

      UNBC auto-populates all current graduate students with a free $5 credit that NBCGSS funds.

      The free credit in the graduate student PaperCut account states, “NBCGSS Print Credit”. Any unused NBCGSS Print Credit at the end of the semester will be topped up by UNBC to a maximum of $5 at the beginning of the semester for current graduate students who are members of the NBCGSS. For example, if you have $1 credit left at the end of the semester, your PaperCut account will be topped up with $4 at the beginning of the next semester, which will total to $5.

      Please note that the NBCGSS does not have access to any graduate student PaperCut printing account. For questions about PaperCut, e-mail printaccess@unbc.ca

      NBCGSS Food Bank

      NBCGSS Food Bank

      NBCGSS Food Bank for Graduate students

      If you are a graduate student in need, NBCGSS offers confidential 1-on-1 food hamper services provided by our dedicated Food Bank Volunteer, Lina Shehata.

      How to Access:

      Contact Afton: Email Lina at gssfoodbank@unbc.ca to set up a meeting time.
      Stay Informed: Watch your UNBC emails closely for announcements from Afton about the availability of food hampers.

      Questions or Feedback?

      Feel free to reach out to:

      Director of EDI and Welfare: The Director oversees the food bank operations and can address any concerns, questions, or feedback. Contact her at gsswelfare@unbc.ca.