Indigenous Students' Support Fund
Emergency Financial Support
First Peoples' House and Student Financial Support (Office of the Registrar) partner to provide funding for students who are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit peoples of Canada (FNMI) and need emergency financial support.
The Indigenous Students’ Support Fund (ISSF) is managed strictly for FNMI students who may be experiencing an immediate financial crisis and need money quickly. Funding is usually based on an emergency that may also result in a barrier to continuing your studies.
Students not experiencing an immediate financial emergency should apply to the Supplementary Bursary program to be assessed for financial support that spans that academic year.
- You must be an undergraduate or graduate student currently attending classes 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 be able to provide documentation of your Indigeneity (if you have not already provided this information in the past). Please refer to the information about this requirement on the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Awards page.
- You are facing an unplanned, unexpected financial emergency for which you currently don’t have access to any other resources to pay for.
Applying to the ISSF is quick, easy, and confidential.
Students can send an email to bursaries@ualberta.ca indicating interest in applying for the ISSF and including the following information:
- A description of your emergency cost, including the dollar amount needed
- A description of any other financial resources you currently have access to
- A copy of your documentation of Indigeneity (see Eligibility Requirements)
An advisor will respond directly to gather any additional information about your situation. Your information will be kept secure, and will only be used for the purpose of this program. We welcome referrals from faculty or staff members as well.
If your application is approved, your ISSF funds will be sent via Interac e-transfer by the end of the next business day. You will be notified by email of your exclusive PIN to use to deposit the funds into your bank account.