Access and Finances

Navigator module iconWhat is Access?

Access is the basic fundamental need for students to be able to participate fully in their education. This includes access to transportation, finances, technology, tools, services, internet connectivity, learning spaces, safe spaces, mobility, faculty, staff, administrators, peers, and so much more.


Why Does Access Matter to Students?

Person caught in a corner of brick walls looking confused.When elements of access are not available to students due to financial, technological, geographical, social, institutional, familial, religious, cultural, linguistic, physical or other barriers, then students are not able to fully participate in their education. Facing these types of barriers may make you feel frustrated, angry and upset. You may also feel excluded, unsafe, overwhelmed, stressed, unheard, and unseen. Barriers may even appear before, during, and/or after your college or university experience. If this is happening to you, we want to help you to navigate the many ways that you can reduce or eliminate these barriers for yourself and others. In this module, we will focus specifically on technological and financial barriers. Visit the other sub-modules in the Navigator module to discover ways you can tackle other barriers in your life.


wickedThe Wicked Problem – Technology and Affordability for Impoverished Students by Fariha Tabassum

A story about students who lack access to computers due to financial barriers.

The Wicked Problem
Finding a Solution
Final Thoughts
APA Reference

Activities iconActivities: Navigate Access and Finances Your Way

By the end of these activities, you will be able to identify strategies to increase access to technology, services, and financial needs

  • Identify technology and financial services available at your institution
  • Create a personal financial plan
  • Locate and advocate for functional workspaces that meet your needs
  • Communicate when you are faced with barriers in your studies
  • Access library resources and other academic supports for your program

Level 1 – Financial Planning and Goal Setting

What can I do to navigate my access and financial needs?

Task: Create a personal financial and study plan by identifying the technology, financial, library, and academic services available at your institution.

Time Commitment

This activity may take between 30 and 60 minutes to complete.


Steps to Complete


dig deeperDig Deeper

Review the following additional resources for more information:


Success Checklist

You will know that you have successfully completed this activity when:

  • You are aware of how much money is coming in and going out each month
  • You have identified a current list of life needs
  • You have identified a current list of academic needs
  • You have identified if there are any gaps in your academic needs
  • You have identified many different options to meet your academic needs
  • You have a plan to meet your academic needs
  • You are actively working to meet your academic needs

Level 2 – Functional Workspaces

What can I do to navigate functional workspaces?

Task: Advocate for a functional workspace to support your own academic success.

Time Commitment

This activity may take between 30 and 60 minutes to complete.


Steps to Complete


dig deeperDig Deeper

Review the following additional resources for more information:


Success Checklist

You will know that you have successfully completed this activity when:

  • You have identified what is working well in your current work/study space
  • You have identified what is not working well in your current work/study space
  • You have identified what would make your work/study space a better environment
  • You have identified many different options to meet your work/study space needs safely
  • You have a plan to meet your work/study space needs
  • You are actively working to meet your work/study space needs or are reframing the issues

Level 3 – Help Someone Like You

What can I do to help someone else navigate access and finances?

Task: Share your best wisdom about what has been most helpful to you in navigating access and finances.

Time Commitment

This activity may take between 30 and 60 minutes to complete.


Steps to Complete


Success Checklist

You will know that you have successfully completed this activity when:

  • You have reflected on your own personal academic journey when it comes to access and finances.
  • You have considered what worked well for you and what challenges you faced.
  • You have identified ways that you overcame those challenges and what the result was.
  • You have considered passing along your words of wisdom to another student.
  • You have identified a way to share your story.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Conestoga College Liberated Learners Resource Copyright © 2022 by Terry Greene et al. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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