Discover University of Alberta Award

Students and laptop

The Discover University of Alberta Award assists domestic students who are entering the U of A without having completed any post-secondary coursework and who have demonstrated financial challenges and barriers to attending university. Through the program, students will be considered for up to $8,000 per year in award funding. Up to 30 new students per year will qualify for the award.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria includes the following:

  • Admissibility to an undergraduate direct-entry program.
  • Canadian citizenship, Permanent Resident, or protected person in Canada.
  • Entrance to the U of A without having completed any post-secondary coursework. 
  • Demonstration of financial challenges and barriers to attending university.

What do you need for the Discover University of Alberta application? 

As part of the award application, students will be asked to answer both short and long answer questions and provide the name of a support reference.  

  • Description of life circumstance: These short answer questions provide us with a brief overview of your current life circumstances.
  • Education goals and challenges: These long answer questions highlight your education goals and provide more detail about the relevant financial and life circumstance challenges you may be facing. 
  • Support reference: The support reference provides us with an additional perspective on who you are as an individual from someone who is supportive of you.

Tips for Applying

Getting Started & Completing the Application
  • Apply early! This application requires thoughtful reflection and should not be rushed. We encourage you to work on your application over a few days/weeks.
  • Ensure you carefully read all sections of the application and complete them to the best of your ability.
  • Work on your application in a document outside of the scholarship application form to take advantage of spelling and grammar correction software and avoid technical problems in the application. 
  • Save your application often! Frequently saving will help ensure you maintain your application information and progress.
  • If you encounter technical issues or have questions about the application, email awards@ualberta.ca
Providing Long Answer Responses
  • We want to know more about who you are and where you want to go.
  • Be clear and concise in your written responses and provide specific examples where you can.
  • Show your passion and put things in your own words.

How to Apply

  1. Apply for admission to your desired program to receive a CCID and password to apply for scholarships.  Please note that it can take 2-3 business days for a CCID to be generated.
  2. Apply online using the Student Awards application form: Apply for Awards.
  3. You can also access the award application form via Bear Tracks.
If you have a permanent disability and need accessibility support to complete your application, learn more and apply early for applicant accommodations, or contact dosdean@ualberta.ca for assistance.

Application Deadline

Applications open October 1 and close February 15 with offers being made beginning in mid-April.

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