The Hub Emergency bursaries available to AU learners

Emergency bursaries available to AU learners

Updated Feb. 3, 2022: This round of emergency bursaries is now closed. Please visit the Student Awards page to learn about grants and bursaries that may be available to you.

In March 2020, few of us expected that we’d still be living through a pandemic nearly two years later. Yet in most parts of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic is still having a major impact.

We know many Athabasca University (AU) learners are struggling not just with the financial impacts of the pandemic, but with its many ripple effects that have transformed so many other aspects of our lives. Learners already overcome many barriers in pursuit of their education, and we don’t want a financial emergency to be one of them.

That’s why we’re offering another round of emergency bursaries, following the success of the $570,000 worth of emergency bursaries distributed in summer 2020, spring 2021, and autumn 2021. By getting bursaries into the hands of our learners who need it most, we can help relieve some of the economic pressures they face.

“We have heard our learners continue to face challenges as the global pandemic lingers, having an unpredictable effect on everyone’s lives” said interim registrar Angela Kuzyk. “By getting bursaries into the hands of our learners who need it most, we hope we can help relieve some of the economic pressures they face so they can focus on their studies.”

$1,000 bursaries available

Bursaries valued at $1,000 each will be available to undergraduate, graduate, and non-program learners at AU via the AU Graduate Student Emergency Bursary, the AU Undergraduate Student Emergency Bursary, and the AU Open Studies Emergency Bursary.

Applications will be open until Feb. 4, 2022, or until the pool of available funds runs out.

To be eligible, you must be a current AU learner actively registered in a course, have completed at least three AU credits, have experienced an unexpected financial hardship due to a personal emergency, demonstrate that this emergency could negatively affect progress in AU studies, and submit a completed application.

Questions and Answers

When can I apply?

Applications will be accepted until Feb. 4, 2022, or until the pool of available funding runs out, whichever comes first.

How do I apply?

Application forms will be available on the student awards website at:

Who is eligible?

An application must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this bursary:

  • Be a current and active AU program student in an undergraduate or graduate program of study or be unclassified/open studies,
  • Be actively registered in at least one AU course at the time of application,
  • Have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits,
  • Have experienced an unexpected financial hardship due to a personal emergency,
  • Demonstration of financial emergency that has the potential to negatively affect their course work and/or progress in their AU studies, and
  • Submit the completed application to the Student Awards Unit, Office of the Registrar at AU.

If I applied for the last emergency bursary and did not receive one, can I reapply?

Yes, if you have not received an emergency bursary you may reapply.

Is there a deadline?

Yes, applications will only be accepted until Feb. 4, 2022, or until the pool of available funding runs out. Only correctly formatted and successfully submitted applications will be accepted. Follow all instructions provided on the Student Awards website.

How will you decide who is successful?

You must complete the undergraduate, graduate, or open studies application and submit via the student awards portal. If you meet the requirements listed above, and you submit your application before the pool of available funds runs out, you will receive a bursary.

I received an emergency bursary previously. Can I apply and get another one?

No, you cannot. Students are eligible for one emergency bursary only.

Do I have to provide my financial information?

No, you do not. You will be asked to provide a brief explanation of your personal emergency and the potential it has to disrupt your studies at AU.

How much is the bursary worth?

Each bursary is valued at $1,000 CAD.

When will the funding be distributed?

Payment will be made by cheque and mailed in February 2022. The payment will be mailed to the address on your official student record. To confirm your address or make changes, log in to MyAU.

How will I receive the bursary funds?

Payment will be made by cheque and mailed February 2022. The payment will be mailed to the address on your official student record. To confirm your address or make changes, log in to MyAU.

If I applied for any other government grants, can I still apply for an emergency bursary?

Yes. We encourage you to apply for any funding you are eligible for. It will not impact your eligibility for this bursary.

If I am not successful, are there other student awards that I will automatically be considered for?

No, you will not be automatically considered for other awards. However, we encourage you to apply for any you may be eligible for.

Will there be other opportunities to apply again for the bursary?

If additional funds become available, we will re-open an additional round of applications at a future date. You will need to reapply at that time.

Who funds the bursary?

This round of emergency bursaries is funded by Athabasca University.

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Published:
  • January 20, 2022