Services
Awards and Bursaries
ATTENTION: We are currently not accepting bursary applications until after January 1st, 2025.
You may apply for multiple bursaries at one time; however, a maximum of one will be approved.
Types of Bursaries
Accessibility Needs Bursaries
(up to $1000)
The purpose of the AUGSA Accessibility Needs Bursary is to provide support for learners who require accessibility furniture items to help complete their studies. Examples of furniture items include ergonomic chair, adjustable desk, adjustable monitor, desk riser. Other items may be approved, and applicants are encouraged to describe other items for consideration. Recipients are eligible to receive the bursary one time only.
Application Criteria An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this bursary:
Be a graduate student in good standing (undergrads are not eligible)
Must be actively registered in at least one AU course at the time of application
Have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits
Brief explanation of their accessible furniture item and
how it will help them
Students may receive the bursary one-time only
Receipts are required to show proof of purchase
Submit the completed online application
Childcare Bursaries
(up to $500)
The purpose of the AUGSA Child Care Bursary is to provide parents or legal guardians with extra support for childcare expenses. Examples include obtaining paid childcare to study for or write a proctor exam, complete a school assignment, or attend an unpaid practicum placement. Recipients are eligible to receive the bursary once in a calendar year.
Application Criteria An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this bursary:
Be an AUGSA student in good standing
Must be actively registered in at least one AU course at the time of application
Have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits
Brief explanation of childcare need and evidence of cost
Students may receive the bursary once in a calendar year
Submit the completed online application
EDI Bursaries
(up to $1000)
Recipients are eligible to receive a general bursary one time only.
An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this bursary:
Be an AUGSA student in good standing
Must be actively registered in at least one AU course at the time of application
Have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits
Students may receive the bursary one-time only
Submit the completed online application
Emergency Bursaries
(up to $1000)
The Emergency Bursary is provided to assist graduate students in meeting an emergency/temporary need by bridging a financial gap that would otherwise impede the students’ ability to complete their studies.
Applications are accepted at any time of year. Only apply to this bursary if is an unexpected emergency (wild fire, flood, tornado, earthquake, natural disaster, etc.). If it is not an unexpected emergency, apply to one of the other bursary categories.
A member may apply for this bursary more than once per fiscal year but may not be awarded assistance greater than the maximum award amount in a fiscal year.
Due to unexpected emergency, eligible expenses include but are not limited to: rent & living expenses, childcare expenses, travel due to death or terminal illness, health care, prescriptions, exceptional unanticipated expenses. Debts, financial obligations, tuition and other program related expenses do not qualify for this bursary.
Family Care Bursaries
($500)
The purpose of the AUGSA Family Care Bursary is to provide students who are in a primary caregiver role with extra support for family care expenses. AUGSA defines a “dependent” as a family member who cannot physically meet their own daily needs and a “primary care giver” as the individual who is responsible for ensuring that the dependent’s physical and financial needs are met.
Examples include: obtaining care for elders or other family members for student to write a proctor exam, or extra care to provide study time or complete an assignment. Recipients are eligible to receive the bursary up to once in a calendar year.
Application Criteria An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this bursary:
Be an AUGSA student in good standing
Must be actively registered in at least one AU course at the time of application • Have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits
Brief explanation of family care need and evidence of cost
Students may receive the bursary once in a calendar year
Submit the completed online application
General Bursaries
($1000)
General Bursaries are intended to aid members in financial need. Additional circumstances such as disabilities, single parent/caregiver status, etc., may be taken into consideration. Awards are payable to the recipient by electronic funds transfer. No member may Policy Binder – Apr 2022 receive the AUGSA Bursary more than once per six-month period. The award deadline will be used for making this determination.
Application Criteria An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this bursary:
Be an AUGSA student in good standing (unless request is to attend convocation)
Must be actively registered in at least one AU course at the time of application (unless request is to attend convocation)
Have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits
Brief explanation of needs for bursary funds
Students may receive the bursary once in a calendar year
Submit the completed online application
Technology Bursaries
(up to $1000)
The purpose of the AUGSA Technology Bursary is to support learners with technology needs to complete their studies. Examples of technology items include computers, monitors, and computer accessory items. Other items may be approved, and applicants are encouraged to describe other technology items for consideration. Recipients are eligible to receive the bursary one time only.
Application Criteria An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this bursary:
Be an AUGSA student in good standing
Must be actively registered in at least one AU course at the time of application
Have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits
Brief explanation of the technology item and how it will help them
Students may receive the bursary one-time only
Receipts are required to show proof of purchase
Submit the completed online application
Travel Bursaries
(up to $500)
Travel Bursaries are intended to aid members (Athabasca University Graduate Students) in travelling to attend AU convocation, labs, practicums, on-site courses, or related conferences. Applications are accepted any time of year; however, they must be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to the date of travel. Applicants requesting help with travel to AU convocation are not required to be AUGSA members at the time of the request; however, proof of graduation from AU is required. Recipients are eligible to receive the bursary once in a calendar year.
Application Criteria An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this bursary:
Be an AUGSA student in good standing (unless request is to attend convocation)
Must be actively registered in at least one AU course at the time of application (unless request is to attend convocation)
Have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits
Brief explanation of travel and cost
Receipts are required to show proof of purchase
Students may receive the bursary once in a calendar year
Submit the completed online application
ATTENTION: We will be accepting applications for awards after February 1st, 2025. Deadline March 15th.
Types of Awards
AUGSA Leadership Award for Women
($1000)
The purpose of the AUGSA Leadership Award for Women is to recognize women who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of women in their industries. This award recognizes extraordinary leaders who have demonstrated vision and influence in their work. Recipients are eligible to receive the award one time only.
An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this award:
Be an AUGSA Member in good standing
Have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits
Brief explanation of their leadership contribution
Students may receive the award one-time only
Submit the completed online application
Award for Learners Over 50
($1000)
The purpose of the AUGSA Award for Learners over 50 is to support students who have returned to school to start or complete their graduate studies. Applicants are asked to describe how completing their degree will enhance their workplace leadership, research goals, citizenship, community involvement etc. We want to hear your story. Recipients are eligible to receive the award one time only.
An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this award:
Be an AUGSA student in good standing
Must be actively registered in at least one AU course at the time of application
Have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits
Be 50 years of age or older
Brief explanation of how completing a degree will affect their career
Students may receive the award one-time only
Submit the completed online application
Graduate Citizenship Award
($1000)
The purpose of the Graduate Citizenship Award is to recognize graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding dedication and leadership in their community Recipients are eligible to receive the award one time only.
An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this award:
Be an AUGSA student in good standing
Must be actively registered in at least one AU course at the time of application
Have completed a minimum of 3 AU credits
Brief explanation of their community leadership contribution
Students may receive the award one-time only
Submit the completed online application
Outstanding Distinction Award
($1125)
This award recognizes Athabasca University faculty, students, and staff who have demonstrated a high degree of leadership and engagement in their communities, their studies, and/or their professional lives. Three distinct awards are distributed:
- Outstanding Distinction Award for AU Faculty
- Outstanding Distinction Award for AU Non-Academic Staff
- Outstanding Distinction Award for AU Graduate Students
Only graduate students recieve $1,125 with the award.
An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this award:
Recognizing the achievements of our students
As a graduate student at Athabasca University, you may be eligible for a number of awards and scholarships to help fund your education. In addition to the Outstanding Distinction Awards that the AUGSA offers, you may be eligible for awards offered by the University, the Government of Alberta, or the Government of Canada.
Attention: There are multiple deadlines per year. See website link below.
Graduate Student Research Fund
Awarded Quarterly
The Graduate Student Research Fund is intended to:
- enhance the research experience of award recipients
- foster research creativity and innovation
- support graduate students’ research-focused endeavours
- encourage dissemination of master’s or doctoral research
- acknowledge graduate students’ contributions to AU’s research climate
The fund provides awards to both master’s and doctoral students.
Master’s students can receive:
- up to $1,000 to conduct research
- up to $2,000 to disseminate research
Doctoral students can receive:
- up to $1,500 to conduct research
- up to $2,000 to disseminate research
GSRF Application Guidelines and Application Forms are available at the AU Research Centre website under “Graduate Student Funding“.
Have Questions, Need Help?
Give us a shout if you need assistance with information regarding awards you may be eligible for.