Bursaries
AU bursaries are intended to help those students who need it most. AU considers it a priority to address financial privation that jeopardizes students' ability to continue their studies. As Canada’s Open University, AU strives to remove the barriers of income level in part by providing, and encouraging support for, student financial bursaries.
If the award description states that the application should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar, application documents should be submitted to
Student Awards Administrative Assistant
Office of the Registrar
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3Phone: 1-800-788-9041 ext 6197
Fax: (780) 675-6174
awardsinfo@athabascau.ca
All bursaries managed by Athabasca University require students to follow an application process as outlined in the description of each bursary listed below.
**IF APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE FALLS ON A HOLIDAY OR WEEKEND, APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY.**
- Alberta Blue Cross 50th Anniversary Bursary
- AU Access Fund for Students with Disabilities
- AU Access to Students With Disabilities Education Bursary
- AU Access To Students With Disabilities Technology & Support Service Bursary
- AU Community Contributor Bursary
- AU Doctoral Level Student Bursaries
- AU Graduate Level Student Bursaries
- AU MBA Faculty of Business Bursary
- AU PLAR Bursary
- AU Undergraduate Student Bursaries
- CIPS Alberta Bursary
- Edmonton-Glenora Rotary Bursary
- Faculty of Business Bursary
- Faculty of Health Disciplines Travel Bursaries
- First Peoples Technology Bursary
- Florence Dwyer Bursary
- Frank and Agnes Cardinal Neheyiwak Bursary
- MAIS - Making a Difference Student Bursary
- Rotary Club of Athabasca Bursary
Alberta Blue Cross 50th Anniversary Bursary
| Donor: Alberta Blue Cross Corporation Foundation | |
| Value: $750 | |
| Number Awarded: 2 | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | October 15 |
Description of Award
The Alberta Blue Cross 50th Anniversary Bursary is awarded annually to two current AU undergraduate nursing degree program students who have achieved the highest grade average on two 3 credit nursing courses taken through Athabasca University. The grade average on the two AU nursing courses must be 80 percent or better. Eligible students must be residents of Alberta and demonstrate financial need. Students can receive these scholarships once only.
Conditions of Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for these scholarships:
• Be current AU undergraduate nursing degree program students
• Have an 80% grade average on two AU 3 credit nursing courses
• Be Alberta resident
• Have demonstrated financial need
• Submit the completed application, and any supporting documents, to the Student Awards Administrative Assistant, Office of the Registrar at AU.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
AU Access Fund for Students with Disabilities
| Donor: Emil C. Fredericks | |
| Value: Up to 1500 | |
| Number Awarded: Varies | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | Temporarily Closed |
Please click here for more information.
Students must have an identified learning, physical, or mental disability. A disability is a functional limitation resulting from physical, sensory or mental impairment, which, for an indefinite period, affects the ability of the student to perform the activities necessary to participate fully in post-secondary learning.
Candidates must be participating in undergraduate or graduate coursework at Athabasca University. Preference will be given to students in an AU degree, diploma, or certificate program who have made noteworthy progress toward graduation and who have an identified financial need for funding assistance.
Temporarily Closed
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
AU Access to Students With Disabilities Education Bursary
| Donor: Athabasca University | |
| Value: A credit for one 3 credit course at an undergraduate or masters level. | |
| Number Awarded: Varies | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | Temporarily Closed |
Please click here for more information.
Awarded to a student, or potential student, with an identified learning, physical, or mental disability. A disability is a functional limitation resulting from a physical, sensory, or mental impairment, which, for an indefinite period, affects the ability of the student to perform the activities necessary to participate fully in post-secondary learning.
Applicants must have expressed significant determination to commence studies at AU but be in such desperate financial privation, that investing in personal education is monetarily impossible, as confirmed by the ASD Office.
Temporarily Closed
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
AU Access To Students With Disabilities Technology & Support Service Bursary
| Donor: Athabasca University | |
| Value: Varies - Maximum single award will not exceed $4,000 | |
| Number Awarded: Varies | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | Temporarily Closed |
Please click here for more information.
Awarded to Athabasca University students that have an identified learning, physical, or mental disability. A disability is a functional limitation resulting from a physical, sensory, or mental impairment, which, for an indefinite period, affects the ability of the student to perform the activities necessary to participate fully in post-secondary learning. Preference will be given to students who are not eligible for alternative funding sources via the 'Canadian Studies Grant for Students with Disabilities' or 'Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities'.
Conditions of Eligibility
An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this award:
• Be a current Athabasca University undergraduate or graduate student.
• Have an identified learning, physical, or mental disability, as defined in the description of the bursaries above.
• Student must be registered with the AU – Access for Students with Disabilities Office.
• Availability of alternative funding sources
• Demonstration of financial need
• Verified need for technology and/or support services
• Appropriateness of the technology and/or support services as determined by the Assistive Technologist, and/or ASD Office.
• A vendor quotation that supports the requests for ASD technology or support service expenditures
• Submission of the fully completed application, and required enclosures, to the Student Awards Administrative Assistant within the Office of the Registrar at AU, by the deadline
Preference will be given to students who are not eligible for alternative funding sources via the 'Canadian Studies Grant for Students with Disabilities' or 'Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities'.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
AU Community Contributor Bursary
| Donor: Athabasca University | |
| Value: $2000 | |
| Number Awarded: 20 | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | October 15 |
Awarded to current AU undergraduate program students who have completed at least 9 AU credits. Recipients will be selected on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to applicants who have made contributions to their local community via any level of volunteerism and/or other extracurricular activities. Students are only eligible to receive this award once within any five-year period.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
AU Doctoral Level Student Bursaries
| Donor: Athabasca University | |
| Value: 2500 towards course enrolment | |
| Number Awarded: 10 (5 bursaries offered two times per year) | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | March 15 October 15 |
The AU Doctoral Level Student Bursaries are intended to assist students continue with their education without interruption to their studies due to financial need or exceptional life circumstances.
Current AU doctoral level program students in financial need and/or those AU students faced with exceptional life circumstances are invited to apply. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits at the doctoral level and have a cumulative AU program GPA of 3.0. Additional circumstances such as disabilities, single parent/caregiver status, and so forth may be taken into consideration.
Applications are accepted year round until all the bursaries are disbursed. No student can receive more than two of these bursaries in a five year period.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
AU Graduate Level Student Bursaries
| Donor: Athabasca University | |
| Value: $1500 | |
| Number Awarded: 20 (10 bursaries offered twice a year) | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | September 15 April 15 |
The AU Graduate Level Student Bursaries are intended to assist students with their education without interruption to their studies due to financial need or exceptional life circumstances.
Current AU graduate level program students (Masters, Post-Masters, and Post-Baccalaureate) in financial need and/or those AU students faced with exceptional life circumstances are invited to apply. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 9 AU credits at the graduate level and have an AU program GPA of 3.0. Additional circumstances such as disabilities, single parent/caregiver status, and so forth may be taken into consideration.
Applications are accepted year round until all the bursaries are disbursed. No student can receive more than two of these bursaries in a five year period.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
AU MBA Faculty of Business Bursary
| Donor: Anonymous | |
| Value: One full installment of MBA fees/cost of course tuition | |
| Number Awarded: 2 per year | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | November 15 May 15 |
The AU MBA Faculty of Business Bursary award is intended to assist AU MBA students continue with their education without interruption to their studies due to financial need. Current AU MBA students in financial need are invited to apply or students may be invited to apply by the Faculty of Business. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 9 credits toward their MBA program and have a cumulative AU program GPA of 3.0. Students can receive this award once.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
AU PLAR Bursary
| Donor: Athabasca University | |
| Value: $750 | |
| Number Awarded: 2 | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | February 15 |
The AU PLAR Bursary will enable applicants in financial need to have access to AU’s PLAR process and, as a result, the credit that results from that process.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
AU Undergraduate Student Bursaries
| Donor: Athabasca University | |
| Value: 750 towards course enrolment | |
| Number Awarded: 48 annually, 12 every four months | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | June 15 September 15 December 15 March 15 |
The AU Undergraduate Bursaries are intended to assist AU program students continue with their education without interruption to their studies due to financial need or exceptional life circumstances.
Current AU students in financial need and/or those AU students faced with exceptional life circumstances are invited to apply. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits at the undergraduate level. Additional circumstances such as disabilities, single
parent/caregiver status, and so forth may be taken into consideration.
Applications are accepted year round until all the bursaries are disbursed. No student can receive more than two of these bursaries in a five year period.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
CIPS Alberta Bursary
| Donor: Canadian Information Processing Society | |
| Value: $1000 | |
| Number Awarded: 1 | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | PERMANENTLY CLOSED |
Awarded annually to a student currently enrolled in the Athabasca University (AU) Master of Science in Information Systems (MSc - IS) program and who holds the Information Systems Professional (I.S.P.) designation. Recipients will be selected on the basis of financial need, active involvement in Alberta’s Information Technology community and demonstrated commitment to professionalism.
An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this award:
Be a current AU MSc – IS degree program student
Have an ISP designation
Have not received this award in the last 5 years
Demonstrate financial need
Submit a fully completed application to the Student Awards Administrative Assistant, Office of the Registrar at AU, by May 15th, of the current year.
PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
Edmonton-Glenora Rotary Bursary
| Donor: Edmonton-Glenora Rotary and Athabasca | |
| Value: $500 | |
| Number Awarded: 1 | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | October 15 |
Awarded annually to an AU undergraduate program student who has successfully completed a minimum of 9 AU credits between October 16, of the previous year and October 15, of the current year, who currently resides in the Alberta Capital Region.
See map of Capital Region: http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/mc_capital_region_plan.cfm.
The recipient is selected based on financial need, with preference given to female applicants. It is recommended that applicants have a history of contributions to community through volunteerism, and active participation, along with a demonstrated enthusiasm to succeed through life-long learning. The recipient of this bursary should be willing to provide a visit to the Rotary Club to participate in a short acknowledgment ceremony.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
Faculty of Business Bursary
| Donor: Friends and alumni of the Athabasca University Faculty of Business | |
| Value: $1000 | |
| Number Awarded: 1 | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | October 15 |
Awarded annually to a student currently enrolled in a Faculty of Business degree program who has completed at least 12 AU credits in the last 12 months. Applicants must have a cumulative AU GPA of 3.0 or greater.
Recipients will be selected based on financial need and may only receive this award once.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
Faculty of Health Disciplines Travel Bursaries
| Donor: Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation | |
| Value: $1,000 | |
| Number Awarded: 4 | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | February 15 May 15 August 15 November 15 |
These bursaries are intended to help offset travel costs incurred by students participating in travel required in Faculty of Health Disciplines’ programs. Examples of required travel include beginning orientation and/or clinical placement. These funds are awarded to current AU students who reside in North or
Central Alberta, who have demonstrated financial need and commitment to the health profession and who are enrolled in a program in the Faculty of Health Disciplines in which travel is required.
Students can receive this award only once during their program.
Conditions of Eligibility:
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this bursary
• Be a current student (undergraduate or graduate) enrolled in any program within the Faculty of Health Disciplines, graduate or undergraduate
• Demonstrate financial need
• Must reside in Northern or Central Alberta
• Provide an explanation of their commitment to the health profession
• Submit the fully completed application, and any required enclosures, to the Student Awards Unit at Athabasca University.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
First Peoples Technology Bursary
| Donor: Athabasca University | |
| Value: Up to 1250 | |
| Number Awarded: 3 | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | May 15 August 15 February 15 |
Awarded to current AU undergraduate program or collaboration program students in their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of study who are in good academic standing, who have demonstrated a financial need, and who possess identified technological obstacles to continuing academic study at Athabasca University.
Recipients must be of Aboriginal descent as defined by their Indigenous nation of origin. While proof of ancestry is not required, proof of community acceptance and participation should be addressed in the application.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
Florence Dwyer Bursary
| Donor: Florence Dwyer | |
| Value: $500 | |
| Number Awarded: 1 | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | PERMANENTLY CLOSED |
Awarded annually to Athabasca University Masters of Business Administration program students who have been accepted in the program.
Recipients will be selected based on financial need. Preference will be given to those applicants who have made contributions to their communities through volunteerism and have demonstrated an enthusiasm to succeed through life long learning.
PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
Frank and Agnes Cardinal Neheyiwak Bursary
| Donor: Athabasca University, and friends of Frank and Agnes Cardinal | |
| Value: $500 | |
| Number Awarded: 1 | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | PERMANENTLY CLOSED |
Awarded annually to self-identifying Indigenous students enrolled in at least one AU course who are faced with circumstances which necessitate a financial expenditure without which, completion of their studies is impossible.
PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
MAIS - Making a Difference Student Bursary
| Donor: Anonymous | |
| Value: Varies | |
| Number Awarded: 1 | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | September 1 |
The MAIS – Making a Difference Bursary is intended to assist an AU MAIS (Master of Arts in Integrated Studies) program student to continue with their education without interruption to their studies due to financial need and exceptional life circumstances. Current AU Masters level program students in financial need and/or those AU students faced with exceptional life circumstances are invited to apply. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 6 AU credits at the masters level and have an AU program GPA of 3.0. Additional circumstances such as disabilities, single parent, aboriginal or recent (within three years) immigrant will be taken into consideration. The award will be renewable annually to the same individual providing the eligibility criteria are maintained.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
Rotary Club of Athabasca Bursary
| Donor: Rotary Club of Athabasca | |
| Value: $500 | |
| Number Awarded: 1 | |
| Annual Application Deadline: | February 15February 15 |
Please click here for more information.
Awarded annually to an Athabasca University degree program student who has completed at least 12 AU credits. Applicants must be permanent residents of Northern Alberta. The recipient will be selected based on financial need. Preference will be given to the applicant who has made contributions to his/her community through volunteerism, active participation in their community, and have demonstrated an enthusiasm to succeed through life long learning.
The recipient should be willing to visit the Rotary Club of Athabasca to participate in a short acknowledgment ceremony.
Apply by submitting a completed application to the Student Awards Unit.
Student & Academic Services - Last Updated April 24, 2012
