GSA Emergency Bursary

The Graduate Students' Association (GSA) Emergency Bursary program is a non-repayable bursary program for graduate students at the University of Alberta who need assistance due to an unanticipated emergency.

Note that this bursary is not normally used for a financial shortfall for the current school year's academic and basic living costs. The Supplementary Bursary application assesses students for these types of financial shortfalls.

For more information about this program, visit the GSA Emergency Bursaries webpage.

Apply for the GSA Emergency Bursary

Eligibility requirements
  • You must be a current GSA member.
  • You must have confirmed enrolment in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Alberta at the time of your application.
  • You must be in satisfactory academic standing or greater based on your most recent term grades.
  • You must have exhausted all other available funding options before applying for a GSA Emergency Bursary.
  • You must have experienced an unanticipated emergency.
  • Domestic students: You must apply for and accept the maximum available government student loans for which you are eligible (exceptions for students presenting documentation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit identity may apply) prior to applying for a GSA Emergency Bursary.
  • International students: It is expected that all international students have sufficient funding support based on the Government of Canada Study Permit requirements; you are required to provide documentation of the original financial plan for your entire study time period and what has unexpectedly changed.
  • Your application must demonstrate a financial shortfall for academic and basic living costs for the academic year in which you are currently enrolled.
How do I apply?

The GSA Emergency Bursary application is open year round through the Application for Financial Support, contingent on available funding.

Any questions about the application can be sent to bursaries@ualberta.ca.

How much funding could I receive?
The maximum amount that will be awarded to a GSA member for a GSA Emergency Bursary is $4,000. Applications will be evaluated based on actual need presented; the maximum level of funding is not guaranteed.
How long does it take to find out the status of my application?
Applications are assessed in the order they are received. You can expect your application to be reviewed within 7-10 days of application submission.  Notifications of the progress of your bursary application will be sent to your University of Alberta email address and posted to your application dashboard in the Application for Financial Support system.
How do I receive the money?
If your application is approved, your GSA Emergency Bursary funds will be sent via Interac e-transfer within 1 to 2 business days after bursary approval. You will be emailed an exclusive PIN to use to deposit your Interac e-transfer.
Appeal request
GSA Emergency Bursary appeals are directly managed by the GSA. Any appeals of denied applications must be received by the Vice-President Student Services (gsa.vpstudentservices@ualberta.ca), with a copy to the Executive Director (or delegate) (gsaed@ualberta.ca) within ten (10) working days from the date on which the denial of the application was issued.
Do I need to notify my government student loan provider?

Alberta Student Loan Recipients: You are not required to notify Alberta Student Aid of any bursary awards you receive.

Out-of-Province Student Loan Recipients: If you hold out-of-province government student loans for the current year, you must notify your provincial student loan provider to declare a change of income. When declaring your change of income, describe your bursary as "scholarship income." For more information or assistance, please contact the Student Service Centre.

Other bursary funding available to students

Other types of bursaries are also available from faculties and other sources on campus:

Apply for GSA Emergency Bursary

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