Emergency Bursary Fund applications open Sunday, June 7
Now more than ever, we need to stand together and support one another. There isn’t anyone who hasn’t been impacted in some way by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In some cases, the financial implications of the pandemic were immediately evident and now, as we take the first tentative steps towards re-building and adapting to our new normal, we still face months of uncertainty.
To offer support to those in our learner community who are weathering the impact of financial strain, Athabasca University (AU), along with the two AU student unions, have collaborated to create the AU Graduate Student Emergency Bursary and the AU Undergraduate Student Emergency Bursary.
Bursary Applications will open June 7 and close on June 13 at 11:59 (MT). The fund will provide a $1000 bursary to learners experiencing a financial emergency.
“Students supporting students - that is fundamentally what your student union is there for, and this bursary is one way we can help students during this pandemic. We were happy to invest in these bursaries with AUGSA, Athabasca University, and other donors to increase the amount of funding available.”
– Natasha Donahue, President, AUSU
These bursaries have been funded by Athabasca University, along with generous leadership gifts from Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association (AUGSA), and the Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU). Additional support has been received from the community, including donations from CUPE 3911 (AU tutors and academic experts), AU alumni, donors and staff.
“It was important for us to support students financially, absolutely, but we also wanted to make sure students didn’t have to jump through a lot of hoops to qualify. We were happy to collaborate with AUSU and Athabasca University to create something that respected how emergencies could look a bit different for all of us, yet the need is still the same. We encourage anyone in need to apply. ”
– Mary-Anne Parker, President, AUGSA
If you are not in need at this time, and would like to help, please visit the Emergency Relief Fund web page to make a donation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Emergency Bursary Fund
When can I apply?
Applications will be accepted between June 7 and June 13, 2020
How do I apply?
Application forms will be available on the student awards website at:
Who is eligible?
An applicant 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.
- Must be actively registered in at least one AU course at the time of application
- Have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits.
- 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 program
- Submit the completed application to the Student Awards Unit, Office of the Registrar at AU.
Is there a deadline?
Applications will be open between June 7 and June 13.
Your application must be submitted by midnight June 13, 2020 MT.
Only correctly formatted and successfully submitted applications will be accepted. Follow instructions provided on the Student Awards Website.
How will you decide who is successful?
You must complete the undergraduate or graduate application and submit via the student awards portal. If you meet the requirements listed above, your name will be entered into a lottery. We will distribute as many awards as we have funding to support.
Do I have to provide my financial information?
No you do not. But, 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 $1000 CAD
When will funding be distributed?
Payment will be made by cheque and mailed near the end of June 2020. The payment will be mailed to the address on your official student record. To confirm or make changes, log in to MyAU.
How will I receive the bursary funds?
Payment will be made by cheque and mailed by the end of June 2020.
If I applied for any other government grants, can I still apply?
Yes, absolutely. 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?
You will not be automatically considered for other awards, but we do encourage you to apply for any other student awards that 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 a second round for applications. You will need to reapply at this time.
Who funds the bursary?
These bursaries have been funded by Athabasca University, along with leadership gifts from Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association (AUGSA), and the Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU). Additional support has been received from the community, including donations from CUPE 3911 (AU tutors and academic experts), AU alumni, donors and staff.
