Disrupted + Displaced Palestinian Student Tuition Support Program
The Disrupted and Displaced Palestinian Student Tuition Support (DDPSTS) program helps eligible admitted Palestinian students by granting access to domestic tuition rates, thereby reducing the total cost of study. This support does not include tuition payment or additional financial funding.
Eligible students will be assessed domestic tuition rates for the duration of their program. To be eligible for domestic tuition, you must hold citizenship of Palestine, as well as a valid Palestinian passport and have been directly impacted by the war in Gaza. Permanent residents or citizens of countries other than Palestine, including Canada, are not eligible to apply.
If you have any questions, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below or contact us through the Student Service Portal.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Disrupted and Displaced Palestinian Student Tuition Support program, students must meet all of the following requirements:
- Hold a valid Palestinian citizenship and Palestinian passport.
- Not be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or any other country.
- Been directly impacted by the war in Gaza with one of the following situations:
- You currently live in Palestine (Gaza or West Bank) and your livelihood has been disrupted after October 2023 as a result of the recent war.
- You are originally a resident of Gaza but had to leave Gaza after October 2023 as a result of the recent war.
- You are originally a resident of Gaza who left before October 2023 and haven’t been able to return as a result of the recent war.
- Have been admitted to one of the following programs at the University of Alberta:
- A full-time or part-time undergraduate degree program starting in the 2026–27 academic year; or
- A full-time or part-time graduate degree program starting in the 2026–27 academic year.
If you have been admitted, upon confirmation of eligibility, you will be assessed the domestic tuition rate. An official confirmation letter from the university will be issued to you to include with your study permit application.
It is your responsibility to obtain a study permit to attend the U of A. Please review the study permit process information for guidance. Should you have any questions or require assistance with the application process, please contact an International Student and Visitor Services advisor.
BURSARY Funding
The Disrupted and Displaced Palestinian Student Tuition Support (DDPSTS) program does not include a bursary.
Students who are eligible under the tuition support program, are responsible for demonstrating that they will have sufficient proof of funds to cover all program fees and living expenses for their first year of study when applying for a study permit. Students are also expected to show that they will have access to funds to cover expenses for all subsequent years when they submit their study permit application.
All international students who are faced with unforeseen circumstances that result in a change in their initial financial plan are eligible to apply for the International Supplementary Bursary starting in their second year.
frequently asked questions
Eligibility
I am an applicant with Palestinian citizenship. Can the University of Alberta help me in any way?
As an applicant with Palestinian citizenship on a Canadian Study Permit, who has been directly impacted by the war in Gaza, you will be assessed domestic tuition upon admission.
If you have further questions, please visit the Student Service Portal:
- Click on “Student Services Catalog”
- Select " Palestinian Student Support Inquiry Form"
- Complete all required fields in the form
If I am admitted to the University of Alberta, how do I confirm eligibility for this program?
Once you have been admitted, you will receive an email with a link to the Disrupted and Displaced Palestinian Student Tuition Eligibility Form. Please complete this form to assess eligibility for domestic tuition rates.
Admission Requirements + Deadlines
I don’t have access to my final and official transcripts or documents required for admissions. Can I still be admitted?
If you are offered admission to an undergraduate program, official transcripts and documents will be required. We understand that it may not be possible for you to get them, so we will make exceptions where possible. In order to assess your application, we will require a copy of your transcript, translations and course descriptions and you will also need to meet the English language requirements.
Graduate students will need to meet specific English Language Proficiency requirements and admissions requirements as outlined by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.
If you have further questions, please visit the Student Service Portal:
- Click on “Student Services Catalog”
- Select " Palestinian Student Support Inquiry Form"
- Complete all required fields in the form
I planned to take an English Language Proficiency (ELP) test but now won’t be able to — is there any flexibility on this requirement?
You must meet the English language requirements in order to be admitted. The U of A accepts the online versions of ELP tests such as IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo.
Graduate students will need to meet specific English Language Proficiency requirements, as outlined by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.
Are there any deadline extensions or exceptions for programs with closed applications?
There are no deadline extensions or exceptions for undergraduate programs. The deadlines to apply for undergraduate programs can be found on our website. Deadlines to apply for graduate programs vary depending on the program. Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please visit the Graduate Student Service Portal if the deadline to apply for a graduate program has passed to inquire about a possible extension.
Are application fees or admission deposit fees waived?
No, application fees and admission deposit fees are your responsibility and will not be waived. For undergraduate students, visit our Admission Requirements webpage for more information on application fees.
Financial Supports
How can I receive the domestic tuition rate?
Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will receive a letter from us indicating that you will be assessed domestic tuition. You are advised to include this letter along with your other proof of financial support documents in your study permit application.
I’m a past/current recipient of the Displaced Palestinian Student Bursary and have questions about my funding.
Please contact us directly at bursaries@ualberta.ca.
I was admitted to the 2025/26 academic year and received the Disrupted and Displaced Palestinian Student Bursary. What am I eligible for as a continuing student?
As a returning student who received funding during the 2025-26 academic year through the Disrupted and Displaced Palestinian Student Bursary program, you will continue to be assessed domestic tuition for the duration of your program (through the Disrupted and Displaced Palestinian Student Tuition Support program). In addition, you will be eligible to apply for bursary funding for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year. Your application will be assessed based on financial need and you will be required to submit full financial documentation (please refer to the International Supplementary Bursary Program for additional information).
Study Permits
How does the immigration/study permit process work?
Once you have been admitted and have accepted admission to a program of study at the U of A that is longer than six months, you must apply for your study permit. If you are currently in Canada as a visitor, or currently reside in another country, please review the Study Permit information on our website. If you are currently in Canada with a work permit, study permit or you are in Canada as a dependent family member of someone who holds a valid study or work permit, please review the Study Permit “Extension” information on our website.
For assistance and support with the study permit process, you can make an appointment with an International Student Immigration Specialist through the online appointment system.
When applying for your study permit, you must include your acceptance letter and provincial attestation letter. You are also advised to include the letter confirming domestic tuition along with your other proof of financial support documents in your study permit application.
Student Support
Are there supports available once I am admitted to the U of A?
If you are located outside of Canada, we will do our best to provide you with pre arrival support, pick up at the Edmonton airport and assist with various settlement needs, including finding housing and applying for health insurance. For more information, please contact International Student and Visitor Services (ISVS).
All registered students can access health and wellness, academic and career services.
Disrupted + Displaced Palestinian Student Bursary Program
The Disrupted and Displaced Palestinian Student Support (DPSP) program provided eligible students admitted to the 2025/26 academic year with funds to support their academic and basic living costs.This program is no longer running.
If you are a student who received funding through this program in the 2025/26 academic year and want to learn more about what you are eligible for as a continuing student, please refer to the FAQ section above.
If you are a student who received funding through this program in the 2025/26 academic year and have questions about your current funding, please contact us directly at bursaries@ualberta.ca.