YouAlberta
Every year the U of A opens up applications to help students finance their education through scholarships. Think you’re not qualified to apply? Think again! I spoke to Student Financial Support experts at the U of A’s Office of the Registrar to bust some common myths and misconceptions about applying for scholarships.
Myth #1 There are too many scholarship applications!
I know that scholarship applications can be overwhelming. Reading hundreds of descriptions to find what you could be eligible for is exhausting. But that’s all in the past now! To make this daunting process more manageable, the U of A transformed their application platform to do all of that legwork work for you.
There is now a single application that you’d need to fill out through the Awards Hub to be considered for over $26 million of scholarship opportunities. Each faculty has a specific application, so you only need to answer questions relevant to the awards you're eligible for. The vast majority of questions are simple "yes or no" answers. Once you've submitted your application, SFS does the hard part of matching you to any potential eligible funding so that you don't need to spend extra time ensuring that you've applied to everything you possibly can. (Athletics and Education Abroad scholarships do still require separate applications though).
Myth #2: There are millions of dollars that go unawarded every year.
That $26 million doesn’t just sit there–the university has a responsibility to distribute as much of the available funding as possible. If they don’t, they’ve got to justify why, which sometimes leads to the institution reviewing the terms for the awards to see if any updates are needed to make it more accessible.
Myth #3: Only straight As get scholarships.
Think you need straight As to get scholarships? Think again! While some scholarships are based strictly on academics, many prioritize other factors such as engagement and involvement in your school or community. You don't need top marks to win!
Myth #4: I won’t be eligible for other types of scholarships or bursary funding.
Yes, you can get more funding and financial support from other places! For example, you may have more than one scholarship coming your way after you've successfully applied. You can apply for Government Student Loans, including grant funding (free money), and apply for the Supplementary Bursary Program. The Supplementary Bursary Program opens on October 1 each year. It is based on financial need, so the university will consider any scholarships you’ve already been awarded. However, you would still be eligible to apply–plus, there are no penalties if you aren't qualified and apply anyways!
Myth #5: The majority of scholarships are for Alberta residents.
While some scholarships are for Alberta residents (for example, the scholarships funded by Alberta Student Aid), most scholarships available through the U of A application are for any residency type. As the vast majority of funding offered can be awarded to students from across the world, there’s no harm in applying!
When it comes to applying for scholarships, the U of A’s staff has your back. Check out these additional resources to help you through your application process. Have questions, or need some extra guidance? Visit the Student Service Centre to talk to an expert. When you're ready to apply, get your applications in before the deadline of March 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MT.
Note: this story has been updated March 7, 2024.