Financial Support Timeline Guide

There are a variety of financial supports, resources, and information to help you during your academic journey. The timeline guides below highlight funding opportunities and financial information you can reference throughout the year so you know what is available and when to apply.

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.

Undergraduate Students

Spring / Summer
  • Look for employment and save for the upcoming year. Check out our financial literacy information for tips on budgeting, saving, paying off debt, and coming up with a plan to pay for your degree.
  • This is a great time to pursue extracurricular activities that may interest you. Looking for opportunities to get involved can build community, develop your leadership skills, and can help with scholarship and award applications. The “Involvement” section of the Current Students page highlights some great on-campus activities and resources to explore.
  • The government student loan applications typically open in June/July for the upcoming Fall/Winter semesters. Student loans can be complicated, but we’re here to help! The Student Loans page has tons of great information to help you with your student loan application and maintaining your loan, including Student Loans 101 workshops and videos that go through the application process and provide helpful tips like How to Apply for Grant Funding Only. For eligible students, grants are great because they do not need to be paid back as long as you remain a full-time student.
  • The Jason Lang Scholarship & Louise McKinney Scholarship application open in July for residents of Alberta. 
  • International students in their 3rd or 4th year who experience an unanticipated financial shortfall due to extenuating circumstances can apply for an International Supplementary Bursary (ISB) in July through the Application for Financial Support
  • International Student Services (ISS) offers advising appointments for international students to answer financial questions as well as study and work permit questions.
Fall / Winter
  • Your government student loan and any scholarships/awards you have received may pay for some, if not all of your tuition and fees. Be sure to check your Bear Tracks at the start of each term to view your student account for any balance owing and pay by the tuition deadline. Be sure to check out the Tuition Payment Options page
  • Check out our Bursaries and Emergency Funding page to learn more about financial supports for students in financial need. This could include having an overall financial shortfall for the academic year or a specific emergency expense you need help with.
  • International students experiencing an urgent short term financial need can also apply for Emergency Funding support through International Student Services (ISS) Bursaries and Loans
  • The application for undergraduate scholarships and awards will be open near the start of the Winter term. With one application you will be considered for a variety of academic scholarship and leadership award opportunities. Be sure to check out our application tips or attend a Scholarship 101 session to help build a strong application.
  • If you are planning on taking Spring/Summer term classes, the government student loan application for those terms typically open in mid-February. Remember to check the Student Loans page for helpful information to support you through the student loan application process and maintaining your loan.
  • The University of Alberta works with PayMyTuition, an electronic payment tool, to remit international and domestic refunds. Interac e-Transfers through PayMyTuition have replaced direct deposit and cheques as a form of refund payments for domestic refunds and scholarship, award and bursary refunds. For more information and to receive support, please visit the Refund and Withdrawals web page.

Still have questions? The Student Service Centre is available to help provide you additional information and advice regarding student financial support.

Graduate Students

Spring / Summer
  • Look for employment and save for the upcoming year. Check out our financial literacy information for tips on budgeting, saving, paying off debt, and coming up with a plan to pay for your degree
  • The government student loan applications typically open in June/July for the upcoming Fall/Winter semesters. Student loans can be complicated, but we’re here to help! The Student Loans page has tons of great information to help you with your student loan application and maintaining your loan, including Student Loans 101 workshops and videos that go through the application process and provide helpful tips like How to Apply for Grant Funding Only. For eligible students, grants are great because they do not need to be paid back as long as you remain a full-time student.
  • Scholarships and Awards are offered through the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR). Spend some time exploring the many scholarship options available to you.
  • International Student Services (ISS) offers advising appointments to answer financial questions as well as study and work permit questions

Still have questions? Student Service Centre and Graduate Awards Services can help provide you additional information and advice regarding student financial support.

Fall / Winter
  • Any scholarships/awards you have received may pay for some, if not all of your tuition and fees. Be sure to check your Bear Tracks at the start of each term to view your student account for any balance owing and pay by the tuition deadline. Be sure to check out the Tuition Payment Options page. If you are receiving department pay, you may automatically be enrolled in the Tuition Payroll Deduction.
  • Check out our Bursaries and Emergency Funding page to learn more about financial supports for students in financial need. This could include having an overall financial shortfall for the academic year or a specific emergency expense you need help with.
  • International students experiencing an urgent short term financial need can also apply for Emergency Funding support through International Student Services (ISS) Bursaries and Loans
  • If you are planning on taking Spring/Summer term classes, the government student loan application for those terms typically open in mid-February. Remember to check the Student Loans page for helpful information to support you through the student loan application process and maintaining your loan.
  • The University of Alberta works with PayMyTuition, an electronic payment tool, to remit international and domestic refunds. Interac e-Transfers through PayMyTuition have replaced direct deposit and cheques as a form of refund payments for domestic refunds and scholarship, award and bursary refunds. For more information and to receive support, please visit the Refund and Withdrawals web page.

Indigenous Students

Spring / Summer
  • Look for employment and save for the upcoming year. Check out our financial literacy information for tips on budgeting, saving, paying off debt, and coming up with a plan to pay for your degree.
  • Check out What’s the deal with band scholarships? and Accessing Supports for Indigenous Students and apply early for scholarships and bursaries.
  • This is a great time to pursue extracurricular activities that may interest you. Looking for opportunities to get involved can build community, develop your leadership skills, and can help with scholarship and award applications. The “Involvement” section of the Current Students page highlights some great on-campus activities and resources to explore. First Peoples’ House also has some great resources to help FNMI students connect and get involved on campus. 
  • The government student loan applications typically open in June/July for the upcoming Fall/Winter semesters. Student loans can be complicated, but we’re here to help! The Student Loans page has tons of great information to help you with your student loan application and maintaining your loan, including Student Loans 101 workshops and videos that go through the application process and provide helpful tips like How to Apply for Grant Funding Only. For eligible students, grants are great because they do not need to be paid back as long as you remain a full-time student.
  • The Jason Lang Scholarship & Louise McKinney Scholarship application open in July for residents of Alberta. 
  • The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Awards application is open from August 15 to October 15, 2021.
Fall / Winter
  • Your government student loan and any scholarships/awards you have received may pay from some, if not all of your tuition and fees. Be sure to check your Bear Tracks at the start of each term to view your student account for any balance owing and pay by the tuition deadline. Be sure to check out the Tuition Payment Options page.
  • The Indigenous Students' Support Fund is available for First Nation, Métis, or Inuit peoples of Canada needing emergency financial support. This fund is managed strictly for First Nation, Métis, or Inuit students who may be experiencing an immediate financial crisis and need to access money quickly.
  • First People’s House has additional information on financial supports and advising, especially if you are experiencing funding barriers (immediate or long-term).
    Check out our Bursaries and Emergency Funding page to learn more about financial supports for students in financial need. This could include having an overall financial shortfall for the academic year or a specific emergency expense you need help with.
  • The Indigenous Careers Award competition is available for students who are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit people of Canada and Alberta residents.
  • The application for undergraduate scholarships and awards will be open near the start of the Winter term. With one application you will be considered for a variety of academic scholarship and leadership award opportunities. Be sure to check out our application tips or attend a Scholarship 101 session to help build a strong application.
  • If you are planning on taking Spring/Summer term classes, the government student loan application for those terms typically open in mid-February. Remember to check the Student Loans page for helpful information to support you through the student loan application process and maintaining your loan.
  • The University of Alberta works with PayMyTuition, an electronic payment tool, to remit international and domestic refunds. Interac e-Transfers through PayMyTuition have replaced direct deposit and cheques as a form of refund payments for domestic refunds and scholarship, award and bursary refunds. For more information and to receive support, please visit the Refund and Withdrawals web page.

Still have questions? The Student Service Centre and First Peoples’ House can help provide you additional information and advice regarding student financial support. If you are a graduate student, be sure to also check the graduate student section.