Unexpected changes to health plan policy sparks financial concerns for Conestoga’s part-time students

Part-time students at Conestoga College are raising concerns this academic term after being automatically enrolled in and charged for the school’s health plan, despite previously being automatically opted out of coverage.

In a Reddit post shared on Nov. 26, 2024, some part-time students at Conestoga College say they are being unfairly burdened with mandatory health plan fees they neither wanted nor needed. They say the issue first emerged in October when Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI), the student union responsible for administering the health plan, sent them an email notifying them of a $360 fee for health and legal coverage. According to the email, the charges were retroactively applied to their student accounts on Oct. 16, 2024, two weeks after the deadline to opt-out had passed.

The student who originally made the Reddit post, who requested anonymity as they are still disputing the charges with CSI, said this contradicts the information they were given at the beginning of the semester. "I confirmed with CSI at the beginning of the term that, as a part-time student, I was not automatically enrolled in the health plan. Their policy was that part-time students could self-enroll if they wanted coverage, but otherwise wouldn’t be charged."

The student claims CSI has failed to clarify when or why this policy changed. "They’ve given conflicting explanations. First it was a mistake, then they said it was for student emergencies, and later they claimed they had just received approval to implement this change,” they said. “But they can’t show me the policy or tell me when it was updated."

CSI’s own website states that part-time students are not automatically enrolled in the health plan and must opt in if they want coverage. It also lists Oct. 1 as the deadline for any changes to coverage. However, students say CSI’s actions this semester have disregarded both of these rules.

"CSI has been trying to say we’ve been covered since Sept. 1, but I know that’s not true," the student said. "I confirmed at the start of the semester that I wasn’t covered, and even checked with medical professionals, who told me I had no insurance through CSI."

The sudden charges have caused financial strain for many students who were not prepared to pay an unbudgeted $360 fee. "It feels like they’re using part-time students to increase their revenue rather than supporting us," the student said.

For now, affected students remain uncertain, unable to access refunds or clear answers from the college. Many are calling for greater transparency and accountability from CSI and Conestoga College, arguing that the retroactive fees are not only unfair but go against stated policies.

Both CSI and Conestoga College were contacted for a statement, but neither provided a response by the deadline.