# Dash for NSCAD University students > Dash is an AI sidekick students at NSCAD University (Halifax, Nova Scotia) text over iMessage and SMS for deadlines, Brightspace, campus answers and admin. Independent; not affiliated with NSCAD University. Start at https://textdash.ai/start Page: https://textdash.ai/nova-scotia/halifax/nscad Checked: 2026-10-14 ## Key dates at NSCAD - Tue, Nov 3, 2026: Fall last day to drop a course ([source](https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/important-dates/)) - Mon, Nov 9, 2026: Fall Study Break begins — no classes ([source](https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/important-dates/)) - Wed, Nov 11, 2026: Remembrance Day — university closed ([source](https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/important-dates/)) - Fri, Nov 13, 2026: Fall Study Break ends ([source](https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/important-dates/)) - Tue, Dec 8, 2026: Monday classes run in place of Tuesday classes ([source](https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/important-dates/)) - Wed, Dec 9, 2026: Fall last day of classes ([source](https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/important-dates/)) - Thu, Dec 10, 2026: Fall assessment period begins — flex/study/exams/critiques ([source](https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/important-dates/)) - Wed, Dec 16, 2026: Fall assessment period ends ([source](https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/important-dates/)) - Sat, Dec 19, 2026: Holiday closure begins ([source](https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/important-dates/)) - Mon, Dec 21, 2026: Last day of Fall Term ([source](https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/important-dates/)) ## Tools and offices - Learning system: Brightspace (https://nscad.brightspace.com/) - Student portal: https://selfserv.nscad.ca/ - Good2Talk — 24/7 student mental health support: Free, confidential support for post-secondary students, available 24/7/365. Call 1-833-292-3698 or text Good2TalkNS to 686868. (https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/mental-health-and-wellness/) - Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 9-8-8, available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. (https://988.ca) - Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team: 24/7 crisis line for anyone in Nova Scotia: 902-429-8167 or toll-free 1-888-429-8167. If the crisis team is unavailable, call 9-1-1. (https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/mental-health-and-wellness/) - NSCAD Counselling Services: Students located in Canada are eligible for five free confidential counselling sessions per term, in person at Fountain Campus or virtually. Contact counsellor@nscad.ca for appointments and questions. (https://nscad.ca/student-experience/academic-resources/mental-health-and-wellness/) - Office of the Registrar: Contact registrar@nscad.ca or 902-494-2450. Supports student records, course selection, academic advising, financial aid and awards, student loan guidance, and graduation requirements. (https://nscad.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-Academic_Calendar_26.27.pdf) - Office of Financial Services: Contact studentaccounts@nscad.ca or 902-494-8117. Located on the fourth floor at 5163 Duke Street; office hours Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (https://nscad.ca/tuition/) - Interim financial assistance: NSCAD offers an interim loan program for personal costs while awaiting student loans. Contact the Office of Opportunity and Belonging at belong@nscad.ca. (https://nscad.ca/nscadfinancial/) - Accessibility services — Office of Opportunity and Belonging: Provides disability accommodations, including exam extensions, ASL interpreters and notetakers, equipment funding, and specialist referrals. Students can register and renew term-by-term. Visit the Office of Student Experience on the second floor of Fountain Campus. (https://nscad.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-Academic_Calendar_26.27.pdf) ## About NSCAD - Founded in 1887 as the Victoria School of Art and Design, NSCAD counts Anna Leonowens among its founders. ([source](https://nscad.ca/about-us/)) - In 1969, NSCAD became Canada's first independent degree-granting art school. ([source](https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/nova-scotia-college-of-art-and-design)) - Andy Warhol received an honorary degree from NSCAD in 1972. ([source](https://nscad.ca/about-us/)) - Fountain Campus combines 19 historic buildings and is affectionately called “Hogwarts” by students. ([source](https://macleans.ca/education/university/nscad-university-student-life-on-campus/)) - The Anna Leonowens Gallery has three exhibition spaces showcasing work generated within the university community. ([source](https://nscad.ca/student-experience/campus-life/)) - Students have nearly unlimited studio access for developing their art and design work. ([source](https://nscad.ca/programs/why-study-at-nscad/)) - Scholarships, bursaries and other financial supports are available to students. ([source](https://nscad.ca/student-experience/campus-life/)) - NSCAD provides a library and opportunities for study abroad and exchange programs. ([source](https://www.unirank.org/ca/uni/nscad-university/)) ## Questions ### What learning system does NSCAD use? NSCAD University uses Brightspace (nscad.brightspace.com). Dash can read your courses and deadlines there once you sign in on Dash's secure page; Dash never sees your password. ### When is fall break at NSCAD? NSCAD's fall break is Nov 9–13, according to the school's academic dates. Dash can text you a heads-up the week before. ### When is the last day to withdraw from a course at NSCAD? Fall last day to drop a course (Tuesday, November 3, 2026). Always confirm the deadline for your own courses with the registrar. ### When are final exams at NSCAD? Fall assessment period begins — flex/study/exams/critiques starts Thursday, December 10. Dash builds study plans around your own exam dates once it has them. ### How do I contact the registrar at NSCAD? Office of the Registrar: Contact registrar@nscad.ca or 902-494-2450. Supports student records, course selection, academic advising, financial aid and awards, student loan guidance, and graduation requirements. ### Where do I get financial aid help at NSCAD? Office of Financial Services: Contact studentaccounts@nscad.ca or 902-494-8117. Located on the fourth floor at 5163 Duke Street; office hours Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. ### Is Dash affiliated with NSCAD University? No. Dash is an independent AI sidekick made by Dash Inc. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by NSCAD University. ### How do NSCAD students start using Dash? Text Dash from textdash.ai and tell it you're at NSCAD. Dash sets you up over text right away, no app to download.