One lucky student this year will win a $1,500 tuition voucher during the University of Guelph United Way campaign.

The voucher will be raffled off (one ticket for $5, three for $10). Tickets will be sold until Dec. 1 in the MacKinnon and MacNaughton buildings, as well as in the University Centre (UC). Tickets will also be available at the reception desk of the UC fourth-floor executive suite, and in various dean’s and department offices across the campus: MacKinnon Extension 005, MacDonald Hall 311, the Summerlee Science Complex 1313, OVC 2647, MINS 133A and MacKinnon 138.

It’s been a few years since a tuition voucher raffle was offered. The idea was resurrected this year by the student co-chairs of the United Way campaign.

“The raffle was very popular among both students and faculty, and is a chance to help alleviate their financial issues, which is what makes it so appealing,” said student co-chair Sasha Monteiro.

“One student will be awarded $1,500, but every student who participates is giving to a good cause. I like the idea that the United Way reaches out to more than 55 local agencies, most of which are available to students in the community and on campus.”

Faculty and staff members may buy raffle tickets and donate the prize to a student, said history professor Catherine Carstairs, faculty campaign co-chair.

“I have bought tickets for all of my graduate students, and I hope that other faculty members will do the same,” Carstairs said.

“Tuition is a big chunk of a student’s budget, so we thought that the tuition raffle would provide them with a prize they could really put to use.”

Monteiro said participating in the raffle is just one way for students to support the United Way.

“When given the opportunity to volunteer with the United Way, it was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up on,” she said.

“Although school does take up a large part of our time, we have so much time to make an impact in the lives of those around us. We always say we want to make a change, so what better way to do so?”