Toronto Metropolitan Association Of Part-time Students

What Toronto Metropolitan Association Of Part-time Students does

Toronto Metropolitan Association of Part-time Students (TMAPS) is a not-for-profit, membership-driven students' union that represents approximately 16,000 part-time undergraduate degree, continuing education (Chang School), and distance education students at Toronto Metropolitan University. Founded in 2005 as the Continuing Education Students' Association of Ryerson (CESAR) and renamed in 2022 following the university's rebrand, the organization operates as Local 105 of the Canadian Federation of Students, linking it to a federation of over 500,000 students across 75+ Canadian student associations. TMAPS is governed by an elected Board of Directors (six Directors plus five part-time Executive Officers) and supported by five full-time unionized staff and one Executive Director, with Mohammad Akbar currently serving as Interim Executive Director during Yasir Hameed's parental leave effective April 29, 2026.

TMAPS delivers a portfolio of services funded primarily through mandatory student fees assessed on tuition statements, including a Health & Dental Plan (administered via GreenShield Canada and the Gallivan-managed MyStudentPlan portal), the TMAPS Bursary (up to $500 per term), the Emergency Grant (up to $500 per academic year), and the Global Emergency Relief Grant (currently suspended for review, initial $5,000 allocation). Additional services include in-house legal counsel via lawyer William Reid, a Tax Clinic under the CRA's Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) with free UFile software access, Academic Advocacy support, The Period Project (menstrual equity initiative partnered with Iris+Arlo and Free Periods Canada), and the TMAPS Seed Library for food security. Distribution channels are co-located in the Toronto Metropolitan University Student Centre (SCC301, 55 Gould Street, Toronto) and supplemented by digital tooling (Calendly, Zoom, Google Forms, Google Calendar) plus class representatives and volunteer programs embedded across TMU courses.

TMAPS monetizes through mandatory membership fees and Health & Dental Plan premiums, with additional revenue from event sponsorship (up to $1,000 per internal student group per fiscal year), tax clinic partnerships, and ancillary services such as graduation photography via Lassman Studios. The organization engages in active advocacy campaigns (e.g., Hands Off Our Education on Bill 33/OSAP cuts, Kill Bill 5/Bill C-5, Education for All, Food Security, No Cops on Campus) and collaborates strategically with the Toronto Metropolitan Students' Union (TMSU), the Toronto Metropolitan Graduate Students' Union (TMGSU), and other labor and student groups through the Ryerson All-Union Coalition.

Name

Toronto Metropolitan Association Of Part-time Students

Legal name

Toronto Metropolitan Association of Part-time Students

Website

https://www.tmaps.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

TMAPS is a not-for-profit students' union representing 16,000+ part-time, continuing education, and distance education students at Toronto Metropolitan University. It delivers Health & Dental coverage, bursaries, legal aid, tax clinic services, and academic advocacy, funded via mandatory student fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Student membership fees: TMAPS operates as a membership-driven students' union funded by mandatory student fees assessed on tuition statements for eligible part-time degree, continuing education, and Chang School students at Toronto Metropolitan University.
2. Health & Dental Plan fees: Part-time undergraduate degree students are automatically assessed the TMAPS Health & Dental Plan fee on their tuition and ancillary fee statement. Students may opt out by providing proof of alternate coverage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TMAPS is a membership-driven students' union that represents approximately 16,000 part-time, continuing education (Chang School), and distance education students at Toronto Metropolitan University. It delivers a portfolio of cost-saving services including a Health & Dental Plan, financial grants and bursaries, free legal services, a tax clinic, academic advocacy, and community initiatives such as the Period Project and Seed Library.

Product overview

TMAPS operates as a membership-driven students' union offering a portfolio of cost-saving services, advocacy programs, and community support initiatives for approximately 16,000 part-time, continuing education, and distance education students at Toronto Metropolitan University. The core service portfolio includes: Health & Dental Plan (administered via GreenShield Canada and Gallivan's MyStudentPlan portal), financial aid programs (Bursary up to $500/term, Emergency Grant up to $500, and Global Emergency Relief Grant up to $500), Legal Service with in-house counsel, Tax Clinic (CVITP partnership plus free UFile software access), Academic Advocacy with Student Rights Coordinator support, and community initiatives (The Period Project with Period Bank, Seed Library for food security). The organization also provides event sponsorship, graduation photography services, class representative program, and volunteer opportunities. TMAPS connects members to advocacy support through the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) and facilitates access through digital platforms including Zoom for virtual meetings, Calendly for appointments, and Google Forms for intake processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Health & Dental Plan Comprehensive health and dental coverage provided through GreenShield Canada for part-time undergraduate degree students at TMU. Covers drug, paramedical, dental, vision, and accidental benefits with fall and winter-start coverage windows.
• TMAPS Bursary Non-repayable monetary grant of up to $500 per term for TMAPS members in financial need, available to Chang School, distance education, continuing education, and part-time undergraduate degree students.
• TMAPS Emergency Grant Non-repayable emergency grant of up to $500 per academic year for part-time degree, continuing education, and distance education students experiencing unexpected financial situations such as serious illness, death of family member, eviction, or layoffs.
• Global Emergency Relief Grant Emergency grant of up to $500 for current and former TMAPS members affected by global crises including warfare, natural disasters, supply shortages, injuries, race-based violence, religious persecution, or family separation. Currently suspended for policy review.
• Legal Service Free legal consultations provided through in-house lawyer William Reid. Covers landlord and tenant conflicts, family law, employment law, criminal law, debt issues, accident claims, immigration, corporate/commercial issues, notarization, and commission of documents.
• Tax Clinic Free tax filing service through collaboration with Canada Revenue Agency's Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). CRA-trained volunteers file simple tax situations for undergraduate degree students. Also provides free UFile tax software through CFS partnership.
• The Period Project Initiative ensuring part-time students have access to free, sustainable menstrual products. Includes the Period Bank inventory of tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and liners. Members can schedule pickup appointments or use the anonymous locker pickup option.
• TMAPS Seed Library Free community resource for students to grow herbs, vegetables, flowers, and more. Located in front of SCC301 at the TMU Student Centre. Grounded in food justice and seed sovereignty principles with guides for Zone 6b gardening.
• Academic Advocacy Student Rights Coordinator provides free assistance with grade appeals, standing appeals, academic misconduct appeals, fee appeals, and academic consideration requests. Includes webinars and workshops on academic standing and appeals.
• Graduation Photos for Members Graduation photography partnership with Lassman Studios. Members can purchase graduation photos using discount code 'tmu25' for $25.00 and appear in their Graduating Class Composite.
• Event Sponsorship Financial and in-kind support for student events. Internal TMU student groups can receive up to $1,000 per fiscal year; external groups up to $500. Room booking support covers 50% of cost for up to 3 bookings per fiscal year.
• Class Representative Program Program allowing TMAPS members to serve as Class Representatives for their courses. Each course with TMAPS members can have two Class Representatives. Responsibilities include attending General Meetings, promoting campaigns and services, resolving concerns, and volunteering at outreach events.
• Volunteer Program Volunteer opportunities for TMAPS events including orientations, disability justice, Pride Month, Indigenous History Month, Black History Month, and other events. Includes the TMAPS Volunteer Reward and Recognition Program with tier-based rewards for volunteer hours.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to $500 bursary awarded per term; bursary limited to once per academic year and maximum three times during a student's studies
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) / Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario (CFS-Ontario)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005TMAPS (formerly CESAR) is Local 105 of the Canadian Federation of Students, having voted to join in a 2005 referendum. The federation comprises over 500,000 students from 75+ college and university student associations across Canada. TMAPS works with other member locals in the GTA, Ontario, and nationally to advocate for accessible, inclusive, anti-oppression post-secondary education.
• GreenShield Canada (GSC)coreOthersGreenShield Canada is the insurance provider for the TMAPS Health & Dental Plan, the only national not-for-profit insurance provider in Canada. GSC administers drug, paramedical, dental, vision, and accident benefits for eligible part-time undergraduate degree students through the MyStudentPlan portal. Coverage runs September 1 – August 31 for fall-start students and January 1 – August 31 for winter-start students.
• GallivancoreOthersGallivan is the insurance broker supporting the TMAPS Health & Dental Plan. They manage the MyStudentPlan portal, process opt-outs, family enrollments, claims, and provide the Health Plan Administrator support. Gallivan also offers individual coverage options through Canada Life for students ineligible for the TMAPS plan.
• Lassman StudiosminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLassman Studios Photography provides graduation photos for TMAPS members at $25 per session using discount code 'tmu25'. Students must have photos taken by Lassman Studios to appear in their Graduating Class Composite.
• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) — Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe TMU Student Associations Tax Clinic is a collaboration with CRA's CVITP, which provides free tax filing for individuals with simple tax situations. CRA trains volunteer preparers and provides certificates for volunteers. TMAPS also provides UFile tax filing software free to members through a special CFS offer code (CFS1981).
• Iris+ArlominorOthersIris+Arlo is a socially and environmentally impactful company creating healthy, sustainable menstrual products (100% organic cotton, dye-free, fragrance-free, chlorine-free, BPA-free). They are the sole supplier for the TMAPS Period Bank. TMAPS members receive 25% off orders placed through irisarlo.com using promo code TMAPS25.
• Free Periods CanadaminorOthersFree Periods Canada is a non-profit organization on a mission to make menstrual health equitable in Canada. They work with various organizations to break taboos and end stigma surrounding menstruation. Through their partnership with TMAPS, they provide menstrual health and equity education certificates and informational resources for TMAPS members.
• Toronto Metropolitan Students' Union (TMSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTMAPS collaborates with TMSU (formerly Ryerson Students' Union) on joint initiatives including the Tax Clinic, Academic Advocacy webinars, and the Ryerson All-Union Coalition (which also includes TMGSU, RFA, CUPE 3904, CUPE 233, OPSEU 596). Both unions are co-located in the TMU Student Centre.
• Toronto Metropolitan Graduate Students' Union (TMGSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTMAPS collaborates with TMGSU (formerly Ryerson University Graduate Students' Union) on joint initiatives including the Tax Clinic and Academic Advocacy webinars. Graduate students are referred to TMGSU for their own health and dental coverage as they are not covered under the TMAPS plan.
• GoodfoodminorOthersTMAPS has a partnership with Goodfood meal kit service offering TMAPS members discounts on their first four purchases: 50% off the first order, followed by 35%, 25%, and 20% discounts on subsequent orders using coupon code TMAPS.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• McGill Students' Society (SSMU): Student society at McGill University providing health/dental insurance, advocacy, advocacy services, and student programming. Comparable in scale, mandate, and member-funded operations.
• Alma Mater Society of the University of British Columbia (UBC AMS): Student society at UBC providing health/dental coverage, advocacy, legal services, and student programming. Comparable in structure, scope of services, and member-funded operations model.
• Alma Mater Society of Queen's University (AMS): Student-run society at Queen's University providing health and dental insurance, student services, advocacy, and event programming. Comparable in mandate, governance (elected executives), and member-funded service-delivery model.
• University of Toronto Students' Union (UTSU): Students' union at a comparable urban Canadian university (University of Toronto), offering similar services including health/dental plans, legal aid, advocacy, and campus programming. Directly comparable in mandate, service model, and member-funded structure.
• Dalhousie Student Union (DSU): Student union at Dalhousie University delivering health/dental plans, advocacy, and student services. Comparable in organizational model and member-funded service structure.
• Toronto Metropolitan Graduate Students' Union (TMGSU): Graduate students' union at Toronto Metropolitan University, co-located with TMAPS in the Student Centre and collaborating on joint initiatives including the Tax Clinic and Academic Advocacy webinars. Directly comparable in organizational form and co-located service model.
• Toronto Metropolitan Students' Union (TMSU): The full-time undergraduate students' union at the same university (Toronto Metropolitan University). TMSU serves TMU's full-time students while TMAPS serves part-time, continuing education, and distance education students at the same institution — directly parallel structures, governance models, and service portfolios (health/dental, legal aid, tax clinic, advocacy).

Others

• Studentcare: Canadian provider of student health and dental plans that serves many Canadian student unions. While TMAPS uses Gallivan and GreenShield Canada rather than Studentcare, Studentcare is a comparable peer in the broader student-union benefits administration ecosystem.
• Canadian Federation of Students (CFS): National federation of student associations in Canada, of which TMAPS is Local 105. CFS is a direct peer in organizational form (student union) and provides the coordination, advocacy, and shared services (e.g., UFile access) that TMAPS members benefit from.
• Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA): National student advocacy organization in Canada, comparable to CFS as a peer federation. While TMAPS is affiliated with CFS rather than CASA, CASA is an analogous peer in the student advocacy and representation ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Toronto Metropolitan Association Of Part-time Students