GSA Emergency Bursary

The Graduate Students' Association (GSA) Emergency Bursary program is a non-repayable bursary program for graduate students at the University of Alberta who need assistance due to an unanticipated emergency. Note that this bursary is not used for a financial shortfall for the current school year's academic and basic living costs.

For more information about this program, visit the GSA Emergency Bursaries webpage.

Apply for the GSA Emergency Bursary

Eligibility requirements

• You must be a current GSA member.
• You must have confirmed enrolment in the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies 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 have exhausted all other available funding options before applying for a GSA Emergency Bursary.
• You must have experienced an unanticipated emergency expense.
• Domestic students: You must be eligible for and receive the maximum available government student loans (exceptions for students presenting documentation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit identity may apply) prior to applying for a GSA Emergency Bursary.
• International students: It is expected that all international students have sufficient funding support based on the Government of Canada Study Permit requirements; you are required to provide documentation of the original financial plan for your entire study time period and what has unexpectedly changed.
• Your application must demonstrate a financial shortfall for academic and basic living costs for the academic year in which you are currently enrolled.

How to Apply

Beginning in Fall 2026, the GSA Emergency Bursary application will be integrated into the Domestic and International Supplementary Bursary programs. The application dates and deadlines will match those of the respective Supplementary Bursary program. 

Any questions about the application can be sent to bursaries@ualberta.ca.

Funding Amount

The maximum amount that will be awarded to a GSA member for a GSA Emergency Bursary is $4,000. Applications will be evaluated based on financial need calculated via the bursary common assessment; the maximum level of funding is not guaranteed and program availability is contingent on available funding.

Application Processing Time

Applications are assessed in the order they are received. You can expect your application to be initially reviewed within 7-10 business days of application submission. Notifications of the progress of your bursary application will be sent to your University of Alberta email address.

Receiving Your Funds

If your application is approved, your GSA Emergency Bursary funds will be sent via Interac e-transfer within 1-2 business days after approval. You will be emailed an exclusive PIN to deposit your Interac e-transfer.

Please note that your Supplementary Bursary portion of your application will still continue to be assessed and may not follow the same timelines as the GSA Emergency Bursary portion of the application. Please view the Domestic and International Supplementary Bursary portions of our website for more information on those programs and their associated timelines.

Notifying Your Student Loan Provider

Alberta Student Loan Recipients

You are not required to notify Alberta Student Aid of any bursary awards you receive.

Out-of-Province Student Loan Recipients

If you hold out-of-province government student loans for the current year, you must notify your provincial student loan provider to declare a change of income. When declaring your change of income, describe your bursary as "scholarship income." For more information or assistance, please contact the Student Service Centre.