Graduate Blog

The Graduate Students' Union Dental Plan automatically covers
full and part-time graduate students but the Health Plan
automatically covers only full-time graduate students.  The premium
is in your GSU fee.  It is a reimbursement plan - submit your receipts
to the insurance company.

If you already have alternate coverage, you may opt out and receive
a refund.    The opt in/opt out period is September 1 - October 7, 2011.
Deadlines are strictly enforced.

If you would like to add your family to the health and dental plans
you may purchase family coverage.  Please note the opt in dates above.

If you are graduating you may purchase a 12-month extension of this
coverage.  Your insurance ends on the last day of your registered
term (normally Dec. 31 or Aug. 31) not your convocation.

Need a Benefits Guide? Claim form? Visit the Green Shield Website
at www.greenshield.ca/student centre or visit www.utgsu.ca/insurance .

Questions: call 416-978-8465 or email: health@utgsu.ca

Graduate Students' Union   www.utgsu.ca


We are a democratic, representative students?? union working to improve the
graduate student's life and environment at UofT, defend public
post-secondary education and promote equity and social justice. We provide
support and funding for graduate student course unions within each
department. Our services include a Handbook/Dayplanner, Health and Dental
Insurance, confidential appeals assistance, International Student Identity
Cards, a weekly E-mail Digest, Grad Escapes program, and an onsite gym, pub
and cafe.  Please pick up your Handbook/Dayplanner in your department or the
GSU basement lounge at 16 Bancroft Avenue. Visit our website for more
information.

 *** Dayplanners will be in mailboxes within a week.  Ida***

September 2010

GSU Orientation Party
Tuesday September 7
4 to 10pm, 16 Bancroft Ave.
All graduate students welcome.
Free food, subsidized drinks, live music.



GSU SUPPLEMENTARY HEALTH AND DENTAL PLANS

All grads are covered by our Dental Plan. Only full-time grads are covered
by the Health Plan.  In September you can opt-out if you have equivalent
insurance, or purchase family coverage and a one-year extension upon
graduation. Please see our website for more information and applications.


  ***Please remember to opt-out by deadline date if you have other coverage
     from some other insurer.  Ida ***


GSU CO-ED VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE
(Recreation, Intermediate and Competitive)
Organizational and Sign-up Meeting
Monday September 13th, noon
GSU Basement Lounge, 16 Bancroft Ave.
Come to join, or enter a team in the league.



GSU COURSE UNION ELECTIONS
Course Unions hold elections in the fall. Please check with your Course
Union in your department for election dates and times.

  ***More info to be provided at Math Graduate Student Orientation
     Session on Monday, September 13th, 4-6 pm, in BA 6183.  Ida***

The deadline to file your income tax for 2009 is APRIL 30TH, 2010.

Required to file your taxes are the

- 2009 Income Tax Forms

  Hard copies available at Canada Post
  offices, the U of T's International Student Centre, Graduate
  Student Union; e-copies are downloadable from the Canada Revenue Agency and probably
  some other sites

  For information on free online tax filing go to UFile.ca.
  The Canadian Federation of Students has negotiated an agreement
  with UFile.ca to provide free online tax preparation to all
  Canadian post-secondary students.

- T4-slips showing TA-income have recently been mailed to you

- T4A-slips showing scholarship, bursary, fellowship, etc.
  are available on the Student Web Service, www.rosi.utoronto.ca

- Tuition & Education Amount Certificates, (T2202A), are available
  on the Student Web Service, www.rosi.utoronto.ca

The GSU and the ISC offer workshops to help with the filing
of forms:

- The GSU organizes an annual Income Tax workshop in March or
  April every year. It is presented by representatives from the
  federal government's Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. Watch
  the email digest for dates in the late winter/early spring.

- Income Tax and International Students
  The ISC has arranged for representatives of Canada Customs and
  Revenue Agency?- International Tax Services Office (ITSO) to
  conduct workshops to explain the policy and process of filling
  out your tax return.  There will be four (4) identical sessions
  on the following dates with opportunities for questions and
  answers after each session:

  Tuesday 2nd March, 2010              10.00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
  Tuesday 2nd March, 2010               2.00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  Wednesday 3rd March, 2010            10.00 a.m  - 12:00 noon
  Wednesday 3rd March, 2010             2.00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  For more information, please visit
  http://www.isc.utoronto.ca/pdfs/Tax-session-for-web-2010-%282%29.htm

New students:
If you have any questions, your best bet for answers is from
your fellow students who have filed before. Of course, I will
try to help in any way.

                                        Ida