There is rarely just a single reason to choose one university over another. Programs matter. So do experiential learning opportunities, student supports, campus size. The list goes on and on.    

But for many students, financial assistance can be what makes that choice possible in the first place.  

Gifts to the Student Financial Assistance Fund help reduce the cost barrier and open the door for more students to choose Queen’s. 

For Jeremy Gooden, Sc’16, financial aid was the “driving force” behind his decision to pick Queen’s.  

The Engineering Chemistry major didn’t want the burden of large student loans. He also didn’t want to have to take on multiple jobs to pay his way. So when he was offered significant financial support to attend Queen’s, he jumped. It was a choice that changed the trajectory of his life, he says.  

“The burden to take on many jobs during the academic year to pay for school was completely removed with financial aid.”  

That support gave him room to be a student in the fullest sense of the word. He could focus on grades, extracurriculars, building friendships, and giving back to the Queen’s community through the Engineering Society and the library.  

“I was able to start my career free of debt,” says Gooden, now the vice-president of strategic initiatives at Pye-Barker Fire and Safety. “Without the awards and financial assistance, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”  

Gooden’s experience shows what is possible when financial pressure is eased. The Student Financial Assistance Fund exists to create that kind of opportunity for students across years and programs, giving Queen’s flexibility to direct support where it’s needed most as student needs change.

For students, that can mean more than help with tuition. It can mean having the time to study, join a club, meet people, pursue leadership opportunities, or simply feel more secure while building a life here.

For Gooden, financial assistance didn’t just lighten the load. It changed what he could imagine for himself and his family.

“I feel eternally grateful,” he says, “and will continue to pay it forward and encourage others to do the same.”