USC Student Services
The University Students' Council (USC), University of Western Ontario (UWO), has been working to offer different services for all students. The following are the most popular services that you can access:
Food Support Services
The USC's Food Support Services is an on-campus food bank dedicated to increasing food stability while reducing food insecurity.
Peer Support Centre
The centre is a safe space in which students can express their feelings and explore resource options provided by the university, the city of London, and the USC.
Charity
USC Charity is an amazing way to get involved on campus. Not only are you able to give back to the Western Community but also to the London Community.
Ethnocultural Support Services
Ethnocultural Support Services exists to address issues related to culture, ethnicity, race, or religion to improve the educational experience and quality of life of students at Western University, and to enhance multiculturalism on campus.
Gender Equality Network
Gender Equality Network exists to address issues of gender inequality, and celebrate gender diversity at Western University with the goal to build community and allies across campus.
Pride USC
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Accessibility Committee
Accessibility Committee seeks to address issues related to ability, disability, and ableism that affect the educational experience and quality of life of students at Western University.
Sexual Wellness Committee
The USC Sexual Wellness Committee is a service that aims to improve the sexual and reproductive health and wellness of all undergraduate students at Western.
Student Appeals Support Centre
The Appeals Support Center is a virtual service aimed at helping Western Students navigate the appeals process for both academic and student conduct appeals.
Grocery Checkout
Grocery Checkout is Western University's on-campus grocery store!
Income Tax Clinic
Free income-tax filing service facilitated by our team of CRA-certified and trained student volunteers.
Student Recognition and Awards Committee
The University Students' Council aims to reward those students who have put forth exemplary volunteer or community effort in the form of USC sponsored awards.
Live Chat
Would you rather speak with someone virtually? Click on our Live Chat button and speak with one of our representatives for general benefit plan information.
You can reach us Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 7:00pm EST.
Insurance Carrier
The insurance carrier for your student health & dental plan is Canada Life. For any claims or coverage inquiries, students must contact Canada Life directly at 1-800-957-9777. You will require your plan number (177890) and student ID number when calling.
If you wish to submit online claims, check balances, or consult claims status and history, visit the Submitting Claims section to know how to submit receipts for eligible expenses and get reimbursement.
my.canadalife.com is the website provided by Canada Life to manage your benefits. To register or sign in, visit https://my.canadalife.com/
If you're having trouble registering or signing in, Call Canada Life weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET at 1-888-222-0775 or chat with them online weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
University Students' Council - USC
The University Students' Council (USC), University of Western Ontario (UWO), is a student-led organization that first and foremost exists to advocate for and represent undergraduate students at Western University. Since 1965, USC has grown beyond an advocacy organization, becoming one of the largest student governments in Canada and one of the largest non-profits in London. Each day, we work to support, improve and enhance your student experience, because USC believes that students have the power to change the world.
The USC is a non-profit organization incorporated under the Ontario Non-profit Corporations Act.
PurpleCARE is only one of the essential programs and services that University Students' Council - USC has available to make sure the University of Western Ontario students have affordable health & dental coverage and get the support they need to have equal chances at success. To find out more about the University Students' Council - USC check out the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bellow you will find answers to the questions we get asked the most about the Health and Dental Plan.
The Health and Dental Plan is mandatory for all domestic and international eligible students. The fees are part of your tuition when you are enrolled at the University of Western Ontario. If you are eligible, you are automatically enrolled in the plan.
To know more about the eligibility criteria, please visit the Plan enrollment section.
Yes, it is. The Health and Dental plans were approved by the student referendum and as a result, are now a requirement of your enrolment at the University of Western Ontario. The plans provide protection and security for eligible students, minimizing the effects of injury or illness. If you are eligible, the cost of the plan is included in your institutional fees, and you will be automatically enrolled in the plan.
Costs for dental and health services are at an all-time high and show no sign of reprieve. Students on fixed incomes are especially susceptible to these increases, and the last thing they want to spend these fixed monies on is an unforeseen accident, dental or medical procedure. Putting even routine procedures off can have monumental effects for students, as missing classes or study time can have disastrous consequences. Considering these points, The University Students' Council (USC) has worked to design and implement a reasonably priced health and dental insurance plan. This plan can aid students in maintaining a quality of health, which can ensure that avoidable medical emergencies do not endanger the pursuit of their studies.
No. The Student Benefits Plan is an extended health and dental plan, which supplements your existing provincial health care. It DOES NOT replace your provincial health care. Student benefits are payable after any provincial health care benefits have been exhausted. This plan does not cover user fees.
All eligible domestic and international students are automatically enrolled, and you can confirm that by seeing the student health and dental fee on your student account. Students may contact the Benefits Plan Office for eligibility and/or enrollment status at healthdental@westernusc.ca.
Coordination of Benefits: Benefits under the two plans can be coordinated to increase your coverage up to a total of 100% of the actual expense(s) incurred. to know more about the Coordination of Benefits, please visit the Plan enrollment section.
Opting Out of the Student Benefits: If you are an eligible student and have comparable health and dental coverage you may apply to opt-out of the plan. All Opt-Out Forms must be completed online and must be received by the applicable deadline.
There is a 45-day validation period from the start of the term for new family members added to the plan. During this time, the family members would have to pay out of pocket for all eligible Health and Dental expenses and keep the receipts. After the enrollment process is complete, students will be able to submit online claims for reimbursement and the Plan Card will be automatically activated for the student's dependents. If students do not have the Plan Card yet, they must use the Plan Card Generator Tool to get the card
The validation period does not apply to new students, as they are enrolled before starting the term.
New family member added to the student plan do need to pay out of pocket during the first 45 days of the enrolment period. Once the enrollment period is completed, direct billing will be activated for pharmacies & dental offices. Students will need to register with Canada Life to activate direct billing for vision care & paramedical services.
Direct billing is the process between the healthcare provider and Canada Life, make sure that your providers offer direct billing to Canada Life. Otherwise, you need to pay the full amount for eligible services and submit online claims for reimbursement on my.canadalife.com
Deadlines are firm. Students must opt out, or add family, before the applicable deadlines. For example, if your program starts in September, you must opt-out prior to the Fall deadline. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made if the deadline is missed. It is the student's responsibility to pay the plan fees, should they miss the applicable deadlines.
Canada Life offers personal insurance solutions that fit the needs of individuals who are not eligible for the health and dental plan. If you want to know more about this option, please visit our Personal Insurance solutions.
Yes, You must use the Plan Card Generator Tool.. Your Plan Card allows you direct billing with pharmacies and dental offices. You can use the electronic card by showing it on your phone or the physical card by printing it.
The card is active for using at pharmacies and dental clinics. If you wish to access direct billing at vision clinics and paramedical practitioners, you must register on Canada Life and update your address.
You must register and complete your profile at https://my.canadalife.com/. To register, click on the register button. Next, click on the select button under the benefits section. Then, complete the form (Plan number 177890 and student ID). After that, complete the online form. Finally, check your email and look for an email from Canada Life to verify that you are the email owner. Please test your username and password by logging in to my.canadalife.com.
It is important to update your address and postal code for direct billing at vision care and paramedical providers and add your banking information to get a direct deposit when you submit online claims. Canada Life takes up to 2 business days to update your account information.
Online claims: You have 12 months from the date the eligible expense is incurred to submit online claims to Canada Life for consideration under your student plan.
Manual claims: You have 15 months from the date the eligible expense is incurred to submit manual claims to Canada Life for consideration under your student plan.
To know more, please visit submitting claims.