Awards, bursaries, and scholarships FAQs

AU bursaries are intended to help those students who need it most. AU considers it a priority to assist with financial need that may affect a student's ability to continue their studies.

An award describes a financial reward that may recognize academic merit, community service/volunteerism, family type, geographic residence, or a hybrid of various other criteria. A scholarship is a reward based on the high level of academic achievement and may include other specific criteria.

Bursaries are typically applied as a tuition fee credit on student accounts. Occasionally bursaries are disbursed via a direct payment to the recipient. Awards and scholarships are typically disbursed by a cheque payment mailed directly to the recipient.  Disbursement types vary according to the terms and conditions when the bursary was established.

Tuition fee credits are only permitted to be used towards AU course tuition fees. Direct payments can be used at the recipient’s discretion.

Yes, AU’s Financial Services will issue T4a slips annually.

All bursaries managed by Athabasca University require students to follow an application process as outlined in the description of each bursary.

The student awards program does not offer a formalized entrance type award or a "full funding" scholarship for degree programs currently.

The student awards program provides individual awards for a variety of reasons based on specific criteria for each award. This can include course tuition credit or cash amounts but does not offer "full funding" scholarships for degree programs.

Nomination awards are based on GPA or a course mark that recognize students with superior academic achievement who are in progress of completing an Athabasca University program and/or course. You do not need to apply for these awards. Your achievement will be automatically considered Recipients will be notified by the Student Awards Unit.