There’s a lot to know about George Brown as a new student, and it can be overwhelming! So, here are the most important tasks you need to get done first. Completing these before your first semester will greatly reduce wait times, confusion, and to-do lists once classes start.
Have more questions about getting set up? Ask George Brown!
Now that you’ve gotten your first tasks out of the way, it’s time to get familiar with all the ways you’ll use your George Brown account, and how to get help if you run into any tech problems. Remember, you need to set up Multi-Factor Authentication first!
As a George Brown student, you get free access to Microsoft 365 and OneDrive, which includes Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Copilot, and more.
D2L's Brightspace is the Learning Management System (LMS) we use. It's where all your course content, assignments, resources, discussions, and more will be. To log in to Brightspace, visit learn.georgebrown.ca. You’ll learn more about how to use Brightspace in the next module!
Your virtual George Brown home base is The Portal. Besides having all your quick links and tools in one spot, it's also your best source of student news, events, and opportunities. Make sure to bookmark it and check it regularly! New information is updated every week.
AppsAnywhere is a free service that allows you to access certain software you may need for your courses, anytime, anywhere! This will require a one-time download to your device to access the software. Please note that OSX (Apple), iOS (iPhone, iPad), Android, and Linux are not supported.
You can access thousands of online courses and tutorials for free on LinkedIn Learning. You may find a great complement to your studies, learn more on other topics you’re interested in, or find helpful tips on navigating your career!
To access tech support, open a help ticket. Use your GBP student ID and password to log in.
Some common issues you can get support with:
But first, if you're experiencing technical difficulties, check out the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on AskGeorge.
Other ways to get tech support include:
George Brown students can sign out a broad range of equipment from the Library Learning Commons, including:
George Brown offers two primary Wi-Fi networks that cater to different user groups and their specific needs.
Please note that by logging into these networks, you are acknowledging that you accept and will comply with George Brown’s information technology policies.
Eduroam is the go-to network for George Brown employees, faculty, and students. Use this network for George Brown-related work. Connect to access high-speed internet and internal resources like shared drives, intranet portals, and more. Because Eduroam is a global service, you get seamless internet connectivity in educational institutions worldwide.
This network is for visitors and those who need only basic internet access. If you’re on campus and need to check emails or do some basic browsing, connect to GBP-Public. It is easy to access and doesn’t require authentication.
At George Brown, we believe that financial resources shouldn't be a barrier to receiving an education. We have resources available to help you pay for your education, and we encourage you to visit the Financial Assistance Office on your campus for more information.
OSAP provides financial assistance through loans (money you pay back) and grants (money you don't have to pay back).
Additionally, if you show unmet needs on your OSAP application, you may be considered by the ministry for the Student Access Guarantee, a source of non-repayable bursary funding.
Remember, the deadline to pay your tuition comes before receiving your OSAP funding. You still need to make this payment. Late payments will be subject to a non-refundable late fee of $150 CAD.
We recommend going through our OSAP FAQs before you start your application.
Students with a permanent or persistent and prolonged disability who receive Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) funding may be eligible for the Ontario Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE) to help pay for eligible disability-related educational services and/or equipment. Please connect with your Accessibility Consultant to discuss if this applies to you. Visit the OSAP website for more details.
If you have a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), you may be eligible for the Canada Learning Bond.
A RESP is a special long-term savings account for education for children in lower-income families. While often opened by parents, anyone can open an RESP. When you open a RESP at your financial institution, you can ask them about applying for the Canada Learning Bond and the Canada Education Savings Grant. Eligible expenses include tuition, books, tools, transportation and rent.
With a Canada Learning Bond, even if you sign up now, regardless of the time of year in your studies, you can qualify for up to $2,000 to help with your educational expenses.
Eligibility:
George Brown’s awards program recognizes students in need as well as those who demonstrate excellence. Our variety of scholarships, awards and bursaries can assist with the cost of your education. All you have to do is apply, and you only need one application for multiple awards!
Typically, the award application portal is open from two weeks ahead of the semester until four weeks into the semester.
For more information on how to apply, types of awards, eligibility, FAQ and more, visit our Awards and Scholarships page. We’ve also compiled some tips! Read this article in The Portal for the inside scoop on how to perfect your application.
Guess what? You’ve now tackled the scariest part of the introduction to George Brown; congratulations! We hope you’re feeling ready to take on all your new responsibilities.
In the next module, you’ll learn all about George Brown Polytechnic’s academic expectations, how to find learning support, and how to use Brightspace (where your courses will be found online).
George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.