Get Prepared

Academic Success

STUDENT ADVISOR

Your student advisor is available to discuss your program details with you leading up to your time at DC. If you are considering a reduced course load, your advisor will be able to help you create a new program map to meet your individual needs.

Learning Resources

The Learning Resources page on MyDC is full of helpful resources and information to support you throughout your academic journey. You will find an Academic Success Toolkit to support you with subject-specific content and study strategies, library research guides for your field of study, tutoring services, online learning strategies, and much more!

STUDENT ACADEMIC LEARNING SERVICES (SALS)

SALS ONLINE is available to help you prepare for your academic program. Register for one or more of the SALS ONLINE units on DC Connect at www.durhamcollege.ca/dcconnect. Access practice exercises, workshops, tip sheets and subject-specific videos for examples and explanations in math, science, accounting, and writing skills. Study smarter, not harder by learning about time management, note-taking and test writing skills. You will start learning from the first day of college, so check out the resources SALS offers for everything you need to get prepared for your classes.

ACCESS AND SUPPORT CENTRE

The Access and Support Centre services are available to students with exceptionalities to support an inclusive and accessible learning environment for diverse learners. We have offices at both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses and meet with the students in person, virtually or by phone appointments.

Services include: accommodation support, assistive technology, counselling, ASD social group and peer coaching.

For more information or how to register, please refer to our website: durhamcollege.ca/asc. You can also call us directly at 905-721-3123 or email us at asc@durhamcollege.ca.

Commuting to Campus

Please visit our Transportation, parking and maps website for directions to our campuses and general information about getting around Durham College.

PARKING ON CAMPUS

Paid parking is in effect at all campus locations. For more information on parking options please visit Parking Information | Durham College.

PUBLIC TRANSIT

Finding your way to campus via public transit is easy! Simply visit www.durhamregiontransit.com, select ‘Routes & Schedules’, and then ‘Find your schedule’.

Information about the Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) will be updated as soon as it becomes available.

Complete PREP 1000

PREP 1000 is Durham College's first-year experience course for all new students. Students will be able to access this course approximately one month prior to the commencement of classes. This is a non-graded, free online course that all first-year students are required to complete. Emails will be sent to all incoming students with log-in information and further instructions. Students who finish all the PREP 1000 modules by the end of their first month of classes will automatically be entered into a draw for a chance to win 1 of 2 $500 Amazon gift cards.

This course will not only provide you with valuable information, it will also help you become familiar with DC Connect. You will learn how to post a discussion post, submit an assignment and complete a quiz.

94% of students shared that they felt better prepared to start college after completing the PREP 1000 course and 96% felt more comfortable with DC Connect as a result of taking this course.

HOW TO ACCESS PREP 1000 - NEW STUDENT PREP

Go to durhamcollege.ca/dcconnect.
Log-in using your student ID number and your network password
When logging in for the first time, please add oncampus.local\ before your student number. Your default network password will be your birth date (MMDDYY), your postal code or durham. – if you having trouble logging in, please call IT Services at 905.721.3333 option 1 for assistance.
Under the heading “My Courses”, select “NEW STUDENT PREP”.
Once inside the course, select the “Content” heading in the top left toolbar.

Financing Your Education

We understand that post-secondary education can be costly, and that you may have some additional financial concerns due to the current Covid-19 situation, so we want to ensure you have as much information as possible about bursaries, scholarships, and awards that can help.

The Canada Student Loans program has provided additional one-year funding enhancements for the 2020-2021 academic year to support students who have been economically impacted. These funds can be accessed through applying for OSAP funding at www.ontario.ca/OSAP

By visiting the DC Financial Aid tab in MyDC you will be able to discover a wealth of information available to you regarding both internal and external funding options to help you maximize your resources. Remember, bursaries, scholarships, and awards have varying criteria. Take the time to investigate which apply to you and submit your application by the deadline date!

The DC Financial Aid tab will also provide you with information about several programs and services offered through the Financial Aid and Awards office including:

Financial coaching;
OSAP administration;
Budget counselling;
On-campus employment opportunities; and
And much more!

Are you an international student?

Visit the international students Scholarships page for information on what scholarships are available to you. For more information, reach out to ISA@durhamcollege.ca

Did you know?

All full-time domestic students who demonstrate financial need are encouraged to apply for the Durham College General Bursary. The application is available online using the Self-Service feature located under the DC Financial Aid tab.

Students with a Durham College issued student number can make an appointment directly to see a Financial Aid coach through the myVisit website at www.myvisit.com or by downloading the myVisit mobile app through Google Play or App Store.

Students who have not yet been issued a Durham College student number are required to email financialaid@durhamcollege.ca to arrange for an appointment with a Financial Aid Coach.

DC First-Year Checklist

MAKE YOUR PAYMENT

Check your fee statement on MyDC for payment options and due dates. Visit www.durhamcollege.ca/payingyourfees for more information.

REGISTER FOR YOUR CLASSES

Course registration for the Fall semester opened August 10. Find your program’s specific registration date and time on MyDC under “Need to Know” on the DC Home tab, along with helpful guides on the “How to/Forms” Tab. Remember, you must have paid your $500 non-refundable deposit (domestic students only) or your semester in full (international students) in order to register!

LOOK FOR ACCOMMODATIONS

Find your home away from home! For information about on-campus accommodations visit www.durhamrez.ca and for off-campus accommodations at www.places4students.com.

PURCHASE YOUR TEXTBOOKS

Find your list of required books on MyDC under Helpful Links/Registration/Books for Term. These books can be purchased online or in-person at the Campus Bookstore.

PAY YOUR FEES

Access the Program Fee Calculator to determine your fees for the year athttps://durhamcollege.ca/program-fee-calculator and visit www.durhamcollege.ca/payingyourfees to learn more about your payment options and how to pay your fees.

BEGIN FINANCIAL PLANNING

Make the most of your money! Visit https://durhamcollege.ca/financial-info to learn more about the financial assistance that is available to students.

GET TO KNOW YOUR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND PROGRAM DELIVERY METHOD

Be prepared for your first day of class! Review your program for any additional requirements including laptops, police record checks and immunizations at www.durhamcollege.ca/programs. Click here for the program delivery method for your program.

PRINT YOUR COURSE OUTLINES

This is the best way to keep track of due dates for tests and assignments! Visit MyDC to find your course outlines.

COMPLETE PREP 1000

Now is a good time to complete the mandatory PREP 1000 online module in DC Connect. In addition to providing you with valuable information, this course will also help you become familiar with DC Connect.

REVIEW CAMPUS POLICIES

Durham College students are responsible for ensuring they are informed on all college policies.Students are required to complete Module 4: Student Expectations before the start of their program. Additionally, students can also access the policies online by visiting www.durhamcollege.ca/policies.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE ACCESS AND SUPPORT CENTRE

If you identify as a person with an exceptionality or have previously received academic accommodation, we encourage you to book an appointment with the Access and Support Centre by calling 905.721.3123 or emailing asc@durhamcollege.ca.

DISCOVER OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED ON-CAMPUS

Participating in campus activities is one of the best ways to meet new friends. Be sure to get to know the opportunities available to you and how you can get involved. Visit www.durhamcollege.ca/orientation/get-involved to learn more!

ATTEND ORIENTATION

By now, you should be feeling confident and ready for your first day at Durham College. Visit www.durhamcollege.ca/orientation to learn about all of the exciting programs and events designed to acquaint you with campus and help you succeed in your first year at Durham College.

DOWNLOAD THE DC MOBILE APP

The official mobile application of Durham College (DC) provides you with important academic, campus and general DC information essential to student and employee success. On campus or on the go access all things DC wherever you are 24/7 from your mobile device.

Our mobile application is currently available on Google Play and the Apple App Store by searching Durham College or using the store links below.

Apple App Store - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/durham-college-mobile/id1473274814

Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.durhamcollege.app&hl=en

DOWNLOAD THE ALERTUS MASS NOTIFICATION APP

The Alertus App is Durham College’s primary campus mass notification system to notify students and employees of high priority, active threats on campus that have the potential to affect their immediate safety (i.e. a violent aggressor, secure and hold or urgent evacuations). For more information and for instructions to download the app please visit the Alertus Mass Notification App webpage.

FOLLOW DURHAM COLLEGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Connect with Durham College through our social media channels. We share important information including tips, tricks and the essential services that are available to DC students.

Be sure to follow DC on your preferred channel and look for the hashtag #GoodToKnowDC.

TWITTER – http://www.durhamcollege.ca/twitter

FACEBOOK – http://www.durhamcollege.ca/facebook

INSTAGRAM – http://www.durhamcollege.ca/instagram

Navigate IT Tools

Before you start your program, it is a good idea to become familiar with the IT tools you will use as a Durham College (DC) student. These tools include DC Mail, DC Connect, Office 365, MyDC, network and Wi-Fi access, the DC App, and the Alertus Mass Notification App. Please note that some of your programs / instructors may require you to use other programs and tools. Below you will find information about some of our IT tools and platforms. More information can be found in the PREP 1000 course.

DC CONNECT

DC Connect is the college's Learning Management System. This is a tool that offers easy access to your course material such as course outlines, lecture slides, assignments, grades and other content shared by your professors. It also provides a course-specific messaging platform to get in touch with your professors or fellow classmates. Think of it as your online class home room. Be sure to log in often to stay current with your courses.

Log into DC Connect at https://durhamcollege.desire2learn.com/. There is also a login link found on the home page of the Durham College website.

Use your student ID number as your username and your network password to log into your account. If needed, your network password can be reset at https://sts.dc-uoit.ca/adfs/portal/updatepassword.

To learn more about using DC Connect mail and a demonstration on using DC Connect, please watch this video.

DC MAIL

Every student receives an email address which will remain active even after you complete your journey at DC. This is your official email address that will be used by your administrative offices and faculty to convey any important information to you. It is imperative that you regularly check this email account. You can access the login page at www.dcmail.ca or through a link found in your MyDC portal.

You will use your student ID number as your username and network password to log into your account. If needed, your network password can be reset at https://mypassword.dc-uoit.ca.
First-time users can retrieve their network password by visiting the Oshawa campus, Whitby campus and logging onto a computer which is hardwired. Your temporary password will be provided to you by request through IT Services. Alternatively, you can contact 905.721.3333 (option 1) and answer a series of security questions to have your password set.
The format for your email address will be: firstname.lastname@dcmail.ca, or (if there are other people with the same name already in the system, there may be a 1, 2 or 3, etc. after your name).
You can forward this email to your personal email account. Watch this video to learn more about forwarding your messages.

MYDC

MyDC is your tool for all administrative information at Durham College. This portal allows you to:

View the status of your application to a Durham College program;
View your fee balance and make fee payments;
Register for classes;
View your grades, schedules, course outlines, and tax forms;
Update your personal information including address, phone number, email, and emergency contacts;
Apply for financial aid and awards including bursaries, awards, and our on-campus employment program;
Obtain verification of enrollment;
Apply to graduate;
And so much more!

Access MyDC by logging in at the top of the DC homepage or by going to durhamcollege.ca/mydc. Your MyDC ID is your student number (example 100456789). Your initial password is the birthdate the college has on record for you in MMDDYY format. If the college does not have your birthdate on file, your postal code will then be used (input with all capital letters and no spaces). If needed, you can reset your MyDC PIN by visiting the PIN Reset page.

You can also change your PIN by logging into your MyDC account and by clicking on the following: Self Service Options > Personal Information > Change Pin.

If you require additional assistance please call the IT Service Desk at 905.721.3333

Network Access

Your wired and wireless (Wi-Fi) access ID and password are set-up as soon as you have paid your deposit. This ID and password allow you to access many systems and services both on-campus and off-campus.

Your network ID is your student number (example 100456789). Your initial password is the birthdate the college has on record for you in MMDDYY format. If the college does not have your birthdate, your postal code is used (input with all capital letters and no spaces). On your initial sign in, the system will prompt you to change this password.

If you require additional assistance please call the IT Service Desk at 905.721.3333 option 1.

Office 365

All Durham College students receive access to Office 365. As part of Office 365, you will have access to Microsoft Office, Teams, and 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage. You will be able to download Office 365 through your DC Mail account. Click here to learn how to log in to Office 365.

DC Mobile App

The official mobile application of Durham College (DC) provides you with important academic, campus and general DC information essential for student and success. On campus or on the go, access all things DC wherever you are 24/7 from your mobile device.

Our mobile application is currently available on Google Play and the Apple App Store by searching Durham College or using the store links below.

Apple App Store - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/durham-college-mobile/id1473274814

Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.durhamcollege.app&hl=en

Alertus Mass Notification App

If you need assistance with logging on to our IT tools or to reset your password, please contact IT at 905.721.3333 option 1, email servicedesk@dc-uoit.ca.

Pay the Bills

PAYMENT DUE DATES

FULL-TIME DOMESTIC STUDENTS

Click here to determine your fees and here for important dates including payment due dates.

Durham College (DC) offers multiple payment options for full-time post-secondary students.
In order to secure your seat in your program, you are required to pay a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit within two business days of confirming your offer of admission. Please note that your deposit will be applied to the total fees owing for the academic year.

For the balance of fees owing, you have a choice of two payment options:

Payment Plan A: Pay total fees (less non-refundable tuition deposit) for the entire academic year by the payment due date.
Payment Plan B: Pay fees for each academic semester (less non-refundable tuition deposit) by the payment due dates.

We encourage you to pay the balance of your fees by the due date(s) indicated on your fee statement in order to avoid late payment charges.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

You are required to pay full semester fees prior to registration.

You have two payment options:

Payment Plan A: Pay total fees for the entire academic year by the due date.
Payment Plan B: Pay fees for each academic semester.

ONTARIO STUDENTS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (OSAP) FUNDED STUDENTS

Students receiving funding from OSAP are required to pay the $500 non-refundable tuition deposit as indicated on your fee statement.
OSAP recipients who meet the following conditions may be eligible to defer the balance of their first semester fees:
- Confirmation that a tuition deposit of $500 has been received by Durham College (DC) on or before the due date indicated on your fee statement.
- You have indicated on your OSAP application that your funds will be released to DC.

METHODS OF PAYMENT

Online

credit card or electronic banking

Please note: personal cheques are not accepted.

Online banking can also take up to five days for processing and payment must be received by the college by the due date to avoid any late fees. Please plan your payment accordingly.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

You are required to make the full payment for your part-time course at the time of registration.

ALL STUDENTS

We encourage all students to consider applying for scholarships, bursaries or other awards, regardless of their eligibility for OSAP.

To learn more about what other funding is available, visit the DC Financial Aid and Awards section of the DC Student tab in MyDC. Be sure to complete your Student Financial Profile, and check out the external award sites.

Office of the Registrar

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of the Registrar is operating remotely. Please email us at oes@durhamcollege.ca (Oshawa programs) or wes@durhamcollege.ca (Whitby programs), call 905.721.3000 or use the LiveChat option available on MyDC between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

How to Purchase Your Books

Due to Covid-19 the Campus Store hours are limited, please visit the website for updated hours and to purchase books online. Please note that the bookstore will ship internationally.

Step one: Login to MyDC.

Step two: Go to Helpful Links > Registration > Books for term.

You will be directed to “Courses you are currently enrolled in,” ensure these are your correct classes and select "here".

The books for each course will be listed underneath the course title.

Step three: Click on the "Shopping cart" icon located beneath each book description or book title to add the textbook to your basket.

Step four: Click "Continue Shopping" to return to your booklist and add more to your basket.

Step five: Click "Checkout."

Skip down to creating a new account and enter all required information. If you already have an account, simply log in using the information you entered at the time you created your account.

Step six: Click "Submit order."

Step seven: choose a "Shipping profile."

Delivery inside Ontario ($10): books will be sent to your shipping address
Delivery outside Ontario ($15): books will be sent to your shipping address
International Delivery (cost depends on weight): books will be sent to your shipping address
In-store pick-up (no charge): books will be gathered and waiting for you to pick up at the bookstore.

Step eight: Click "Pay now."

Step nine: Enter your credit card information and then click "Submit."

The Campus Store does not offer price mating on-line. Please visit the website for more details.

Please note: it is recommended that you wait until you have attended the first day of each class before removing the wrapping from your textbooks. Course textbooks cannot be returned once they have been opened.