Goal 1 - Institutional Stewardship Initiatives
Student Financial Supports
The University of Alberta provides a number of financial supports to students. These include needs-based scholarships and awards, such as the Discover University of Alberta Award, which assists domestic students who have demonstrated financial challenges and barriers to attending university. The University of Alberta also provides bursaries and emergency funding to cover unexpected financial shortfalls, and Child Care Grants to help offset the costs of child care for students and support their degree completion.
The Domestic Supplementary Bursary program provides funds for domestic undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate a financial shortfall for the current school year's academic and basic living costs. This proactive approach addresses financial barriers and enhances student success in graduation, and contributes to a more inclusive and equitable educational environment.
Access Fund
Since 1995, the Students’ Union Access Fund has offered non-repayable financial assistance for undergraduate students at the U of A. Students who are either ineligible for student loans, have reached the maximum in their student loan amounts or simply do not have access to sufficient funding can benefit from the Access Fund.
The Access Fund is created through an opt-outable student fee, enabling students to help their fellow students access over $1 million in support each year.
Indigenous Student Resources
Indigenous Students are supported during the admissions process through the Free Application Days program. The University of Alberta also provides an optional Transition Year Program to support students in their first year of university studies. There are also numerous scholarships and awards available to help reduce barriers for Indigenous students in attending university, such as the Turtle Spirit Pathway Award for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Students.
International Student Supports
International Student Services offers a number of free services for international students, including advising, immigration consultations, welcome services, housing resources and regular events throughout the school year. The University of Alberta also offers numerous awards, scholarships and bursaries to international students based on financial need and academic achievement. Notably, the University of Alberta provides financial support for International students to help alleviate financial shortfalls for lower income students and in the case of emergency situations. Bursaries and Loans for International Students and The International Supplementary Bursary Program provide these supports to cover living expenses, limit the cost of education and provide emergency financial support.
MD AIDE Program
The MD Admissions Initiative for Diversity and Equity (MD AIDE) addresses inequities in the medical school admissions process that disadvantage students facing financial barriers and students from underrepresented backgrounds. MD AIDE students receive both free MCAT and interview preparation. Students also receive access to donated MCAT prep books and AAMC practice questions and exams, and they are set up with a medical student mentor to provide guidance and support throughout the application process.
The University of Alberta provides a number of supports for refugee students, such as the Welcoming Newcomers Program, the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Program and the David Turpin and Suromitra Sanatani Award for Refugees and Displaced Persons.
Other Student Supports
Campus Food Bank
The Campus Food Bank provides a number of services, including food hampers, a breakfast program and a regular grocery bus to support students in need.
Campus St. Jean Transportation
The University of Alberta offers free shuttle service between the North and St. Jean campuses.
Safe House Program
The Safe House Program offers temporary emergency accommodation for current students and their children.
Counselling and Clinical Services
Counselling & Clinical Services provides mental health services and resources to students.
Student Legal Services of Edmonton
Student Legal Services of Edmonton helps low-income individuals and University of Alberta students with access to justice. Student volunteers from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law provide free legal information and agency in the courts to those who would otherwise be unable to afford these services.
University Health Centre
The University Health Centre provides health services to students. A further list of resources can be found on the Campus and Community Resources webpage.
Institutional supports
University Anti-Poverty Programs
The University of Alberta offers a number of support programs and resources to the campus community, including students from low income families. The Campus and Community Resources webpage lists numerous programs that are available on campus and beyond, including mental health, medical, legal, and housing and accommodations resources. The Campus and Community Resources webpage also provides information on food security, furniture and clothing, employment, child and family support, employment and financial resources.
Community-University Partnership for the Study of Children, Youth, and Families (CUP)
CUP is a unique collaboration that connects U of A researchers with practitioners, community organizations, funders and policy makers in Edmonton and across Alberta. CUP's work involves creating and mobilizing evidence that engaged communities can use to support the well-being of children, youth and families.
Basic Services for All
The University of Alberta recognizes that access to basic services is not guaranteed and provides a number of specialized support services, training, and programs to improve access for all.
Post Secondary Student Homelessness
This resource outlines programs that are available to students on-campus and individuals off-campus in the community. These supports include, but are not limited to, the Edmonton Community Legal Centre, providing free legal information and advice to low to moderate-income people in the Edmonton area; Homeward Trust, supports for people currently experiencing homelessness; and the Youth Emergency Centre, providing immediate and low-barrier shelter, temporary housing, and individualized wraparound support for youth ages 15-24.
Other programs covering basic needs include the University of Alberta Community Pantry and Campus Community Garden, which provide free access to food in the campus community. The Period Equity Program provides free sustainable period products all over the campus.
Admissions and Targets
Graduation Targets
The University of Alberta has set graduation targets to meet or exceed U15 benchmarks in its Shape: A Strategic Plan of Impact (2023–2033). The Student Demographic Census (2023-2024) demonstrates the University of Alberta's active monitoring of the bottom household income groups, and implementation of equity initiatives (Stories from the Field 2023) to reduce barriers to graduation linked to poverty and low-income status. Together, these demonstrate work towards supporting low-income students in completing their studies.
Admissions and Low-Income, Disadvantaged and/or Marginalized Students
The University of Alberta is committed to admitting students from low-income, disadvantaged and/or marginalized backgrounds. The For the Public Good Annual Report 2020 details recent admission statistics at the University of Alberta based on a variety of socioeconomic indicators, and the Enrolment Data and Updates from FGSR 2020-2021 report outlines recent graduate admissions metrics achieved by the university. The Annual Report on Undergraduate Enrolment also contains admissions and enrollment statistics related to Indigenous students, as well as student country of origin (for international students), and the University of Alberta Indigenous Strategic Plan details key strategies for Indigenous student recruitment, retention and program completion.