Indigenous Student Advising

research, aboriginal student advisors

Indigenous Programs & Services at UBC’s Okanagan campus has designated Indigenous Student Advisors to provide support to self-identified First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students starting from their UBC application and throughout their time as a student. Learn more about Indigenous self-identification

An Indigenous Student Advisor can help you navigate your academic journey with a holistic approach, including academic, cultural, social and physical considerations. We also provide informed assistance for matters that relate specifically to Indigenous students, including Third Party Sponsorship, and admissions pathways.

Meet with an Advisor

Our Indigenous Student Advisors are able to support you through your specific program of study. To meet with an advisor, please either submit the ‘request an appointment’ form, refer to our drop-in hours, or email an advisor directly.

Request an appointment

Drop-in Advising

Drop-in to meet with an Indigenous Student Advisor either in-person or via Zoom.

In-person

Day Time Location
Monday through Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm Indigenous Centre, UNC 210 (second floor of the University Centre building)

Undergraduate Student Advising

Graduate Student Advising

Master’s and PhD applicants and students may contact an advisor for general support, advocacy, and referrals. Note that program-specific advising is provided by your designated Program Coordinator and/or faculty supervisor.

indigenous.programs@ubc.ca

Career Advising

Whether you are interested in volunteering, research opportunities, entrepreneurship, employment opportunities, global exchange, graduate school, or still uncertain, your Experiential Learning and Career Advisor can support you.

Patience Spinoza Okuku | patience.okuku@ubc.ca

Learn more

Tuition sponsorship

If you are being sponsored for your tuition, your band or association will need to submit a Sponsorship Third-Party Billing Form. Please consult the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar for tuition fee payment dates and deadlines.

It is your responsibility to pay your tuition and fees on time. If you do not pay your tuition by these dates, you may be placed on financial hold. To pay your tuition fees, you can use any of the methods that you used to pay your acceptance deposit. For more information on paying tuition and fees, please consult the General Information and Policy on Fees section in the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar.

Sponsorship Third Party Billing Forms

Course or program withdrawal

If you are withdrawing from your program or course, please make note of course withdrawal information and deadlines. You may withdraw from a course before the withdrawal deadline and avoid academic penalty (a failing grade). You may still be eligible for a full or partial tuition fee refund if you withdraw before the appropriate withdrawal deadlines.

Before withdrawing from a course past the deadlines, read UBC Okanagan’s policy regarding late withdrawals (academic concession) and consult an academic advisor. Course withdrawals may result in the following consequences:

  • Loss of eligibility for student loans and financial aid
  • Loss of eligibility for Work Study or other student employment programs
  • Loss of sponsorship – contact us for information

Textbook sponsorship

If you are being sponsored for your textbooks,

  • You may only buy textbooks from the UBC Bookstore located in the ADMIN building.
  • You will need to inform the cashier that you are being sponsored because they will have a list of how much money you are allowed to spend. Make sure you bring your UBCcard ID, otherwise they will not be able to process your purchase.
  • It is your responsibility to contact your sponsor if your books end up costing more money than your sponsor has allotted for you. Ask your sponsor if they can cover these costs. If they agree to, they need to contact the bookstore again to authorize more money. Or, if it’s okay with your sponsor, you can buy the books and get reimbursed. If your sponsor will not cover the extra costs, you will have to pay for the books yourself.

Orientation and support services

Indigenous Student Orientation

During the first week of September, Indigenous Programs & Services holds an orientation for new and continuing Indigenous students. This event includes a complete orientation to UBC Okanagan, introduction to support staff and services, and question and answer period. It’s a time to meet other students before starting classes in September.

LEARN MORE

Indigenous Centre

Housed on the second floor of the University Centre building (UNC 210), The Indigenous Centre provides a sense of belonging and community to Indigenous  students. This home away from home is committed to enriching the quality of the student experience for Indigenous students by promoting access, providing capacity building opportunities, and celebrating success.

LEARN MORE

Contact

Indigenous Programs & Services

Stop by the Indigenous Centre in UNC 210 to speak with an advisor or to access other services and support.

Contact Indigenous Programs & Services