Q. What are funding advantages to taking an on-campus versus blended/online RRU program?

On-campus programs: Delivered entirely on-campus at RRU’s Colwood or John Horgan campuses. These programs are typically 1-2 years long with students taking multiple courses at once. 

Blended and online programs: Delivered primarily online over an 18 or 24 month period (e.g., undergraduate and graduate programs) or 4 year period (e.g., doctoral programs). Blended programs include short on-campus intensives. Students take fewer courses at a time (often between 1 and 3). 

Tuition Payments

If you’re deciding between an on-campus or blended/online program, keep in mind that if tuition for each program delivery type is the same, taking a blended/online program will give you the option of paying lower installments because you’ll have a longer period to pay for the tuition. 

Government Student Loans

Many programs that have an on-campus and blended/online delivery model are eligible for full-time government student loan funding. The amount of funding for which you may qualify is determined by your resources minus your expenses for a specific period of time. 

Check that your program is eligible for loans early in your educational planning. Contact RRU’s Financial Aid and Awards office to verify program eligibility, and then visit your province’s student aid website for loan limits (visit Canada Student Grants and Loans – Apply with your province or territory for links).

There is a weekly maximum for government funding and it varies between provinces. Blended/online students, who are in school longer than on-campus students, may qualify for significantly more funding. However, keep in mind that receiving more funding also means more debt to pay back later. 

Award Opportunities

RRU runs in-course award competitions four times a year with competition deadlines on the 1st of February, May, August, and November. Visit "How do I apply?" in How to apply for entrance, in-course, and bursary awards for information.

Students who are actively studying on the deadline date may apply. Since students in blended/online programs are enrolled for longer, they have more opportunities to apply for awards than on-campus students. 

Questions? Contact Financial Aid and Awards so we can assist you.