Athabasca University (AU) is Canada’s pioneer in flexible, accessible online learning. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore AU’s rich history, diverse academic programs, and dedicated faculty. Most importantly, we’ll dive deep into the many scholarships, awards, and bursaries available to help you finance your education and achieve your academic dreams.

A Brief History of Innovation

Established in 1970 in Athabasca, Alberta, AU was founded with a groundbreaking mission: to make higher education accessible to anyone, regardless of geographic barriers or life circumstances. Over the decades, AU has evolved from a small regional institution into a globally recognized leader in distance education. Today, AU serves more than 35,000 students worldwide through its innovative, learner-centered approach.

Academic Programs & Flexible Learning

Athabasca University offers a broad spectrum of programs ranging from undergraduate degrees to graduate and doctoral studies in various disciplines including the arts, business, health, humanities, science, technology, and social sciences. With flexible, self-paced courses and an individualized study model, AU ensures that every student can tailor their learning experience to fit their personal and professional lives.

Example: The Bachelor of Arts in History is offered in both 3-year (90-credit) and 4-year (120-credit) formats, combining deep historical analysis with the development of critical thinking and research skills.

Meet Our Dedicated Faculty

At AU, you’re supported by highly experienced educators and professionals who are passionate about online learning. AU’s faculty provide personalized guidance and use state-of-the-art digital tools to ensure you succeed. Whether you need one-on-one tutoring or group support, AU’s inclusive community is designed to help you thrive academically.

Scholarships, Awards, and Bursaries: Investing in Your Future

Athabasca University is committed to removing financial barriers. A wide range of awards, scholarships, and bursaries are available for students based on academic merit, financial need, community involvement, or special circumstances. Below is a detailed overview of many available funding opportunities.

Detailed Scholarship and Financial Aid Opportunities

• Alberta Association of Architects Award
  Eligibility: Current students in the BSc. in Architecture or Graduate Diploma in Architecture. Applicants must submit a portfolio of 10 architecture drawings.
  Deadline: June 1
  Donor: Alberta Association of Architects
  
• Alberta Blue Cross Bursary in Nursing
  Eligibility: Undergraduate nursing students with an 80% average in two 3-credit nursing courses, Alberta residents, and demonstrated financial need.
  Deadline: October 15
  Donor: Alberta Blue Cross Corporation
  
• Alberta Blue Cross Health & Wellness Graduate Award
  Eligibility: Graduate students in the Master of Counselling, Master of Health Studies, or Master of Nursing programs who have completed at least 6 graduate courses; Alberta residents.
  Value: $1500
  Deadline: November 15 (opens Oct. 1)
  Donor: Alberta Blue Cross Corporation
  
• Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarships (AGES)
  Eligibility: Full-time graduate students (Master’s, Doctoral, or graduate-level programs) with a GPA of 3.6 or higher; must be an Alberta resident (domestic, Indigenous, or international with permanent residency).
  Value: $11,000 (varies)
  Deadline: Spring (date TBA)
  Donor: Government of Alberta
  
• Athabasca University 50th Anniversary I-CARE Completion Bursary
  Eligibility: Undergraduate students with ≤15 credits remaining or graduate students with ≤9 credits remaining, minimum GPA of 2.0, and demonstrated financial need.
  Deadlines: January 15 and September 30
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU Access Fund for Students with Disabilities
  Eligibility: Current undergraduate or graduate students registered with AU Accessibility Services and demonstrating financial need.
  Deadline: October 15
  Donor: Emil Fredericks
  
• AU Access to Research Tools Award
  Eligibility: AU graduate students actively enrolled in a thesis/dissertation or major project; supervisor support required.
  Value: Up to $500
  Deadline: Open
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU Award for a Mature Graduate Student
  Eligibility: First-time graduate students aged 50 or older with at least 9 credits completed and a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
  Value: $1500
  Deadline: February 15 (opens Jan. 1)
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU Award for a Mature Undergraduate Student
  Eligibility: Undergraduate students aged 40 to 60 who started university after April 1 of the previous year, with at least 6 credits completed and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  Deadline: February 15
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU Award for Graduate Studies
  Eligibility: Graduate students who have completed at least 4 courses and are active in their program; nomination based on GPA.
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU Awards in Anthropology, Geology, History, Sociology
  Eligibility: Nomination awards for students in senior courses within these disciplines; recipients selected by internal process.
  Donor: Emil Fredericks
  
• AU Bursary for Students from War Torn Countries
  Eligibility: Newly admitted undergraduate students from designated war-torn countries with no more than 9 credits completed.
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU Career Advancement Award (Graduate & Undergraduate)
  Eligibility: Certificate/diploma students (undergraduate) or graduate students with a minimum GPA (2.0 for undergrad; 3.0 for grad) and evidence of leadership; awarded once.
  Deadline: October 15
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU Community Contributor & Community Leadership Awards
  Eligibility: Undergraduate students with at least 9 or 15 credits respectively, a minimum GPA of 3.0, financial need, and evidence of community service.
  Deadline: October 15
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU Convocation Scholarships
  Eligibility: Nomination awards for graduating students based on highest GPA over a set number of credits; automatic nomination by the Student Awards Unit.
  
• AU Doctoral Level Student Bursaries
  Eligibility: Doctoral students with at least 3 credits completed and a GPA of 3.0 or higher, for those experiencing financial need or exceptional circumstances.
  Value: $2500 toward course enrolment
  Deadlines: March 15 (opens Feb. 1) and October 15 (opens Sept. 1)
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU Education Bursary for Students with Disabilities
  Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students with a documented disability registered with AU Accessibility Services, with financial need.
  Deadlines: March 15, June 15, September 15, December 15
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU First in Family to Attend University Award
  Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are the first in their family to attend university, with at least 15 credits completed and a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
  Deadline: February 15
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU First Nation Colleges Student Awards
  Eligibility: For students at First Nation Colleges who wish to pursue studies at AU; application details vary.
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU Indigenous Graduate Entrance Bursary
  Eligibility: New Indigenous graduate students with fewer than 6 credits completed, demonstrating financial need.
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• AU Indigenous Technology & Undergraduate Entrance Bursaries, and Indigenous Welcome Bursary
  Eligibility: Indigenous students facing technological obstacles or new to university (undergraduate); reapply limits apply.
  Deadlines: Various – typically reopening in April or on specified dates
  Donors: Athabasca University
  
• AUSU Indigenous Student Award
  Eligibility: Indigenous students enrolled in an AU undergraduate program, one-time award.
  Deadline: January 15
  Donor: Athabasca University Students’ Union
  
• Carter Yellowbird Indigenous Bursary
  Eligibility: AU Indigenous undergraduate students with financial need and community involvement; one-time award.
  Value: $1000
  Deadline: January 15
  Donor: Edmonton-Glenora Rotary Club and Athabasca University
  
• Esmail & Safana Bharwani Faculty of Business Award
  Eligibility: Undergraduate business students in Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Management programs, with at least 6 credits completed; Alberta residents.
  Deadline: October 15
  Donor: Esmail Safana Farzana Fayaz Bharwani Foundation
  
• Eveline Lepine Memorial Scholarship (Psychology)
  Eligibility: Awarded based on highest standing in a senior Psychology course; nomination award.
  Donor: Emil Fredericks
  
• Excellence in Research Scholarships
  Eligibility: Graduate students with a GPA of 3.6 or higher; available for research-based projects.
  Value: $3000 (approx.)
  Deadline: November 15 (opens Oct. 1)
  Donor: Athabasca University
  
• Faculty of Business Undergraduate Bursary
  Eligibility: Undergraduate students in the Faculty of Business with at least 15 credits and a minimum GPA of 2.5; must be Canadian residents.
  Deadline: October 15
  Donor: Dr. Alex Kondra
  
• Fassina Family Resilience Entrance Bursary
  Eligibility: First-year undergraduates overcoming adversity, with financial need; essay required.
  Deadline: October 15
  Donor: Dr. Neil Fassina
  
• FGS Graduate Research Fellowship
  Eligibility: Graduate students in any program with strong research potential; awarded based on leadership, research skills, and academic excellence.
  Value: Up to $7500 (stipend)
  Deadline: February 19, 2025
  Donor: Athabasca University (with allocation for Indigenous student researchers)
  
• Gateway to AU Undergraduate Course Awards – Nomination awards based on performance in early courses.
  
• Getzlaf Family Foundation Award in Nursing – Nomination award for Bachelor of Nursing students completing clinical courses; supports travel for lab work.
  
• Governor General of Canada Gold & Silver Medals – Prestigious awards for overall academic excellence in graduate and undergraduate programs (non-monetary or nominal value).
  
• Graduate Student Research Fund (GSRF) – Provides research funding for master’s and doctoral students to conduct, disseminate, and publish research (awards vary by level).
  
• Harold Cardinal Essay Prize for Aboriginal Students – Award for outstanding essays on Aboriginal rights and issues; deadline December 31.
  
• Ken and Janny Hutchinson Scholarship in Architecture – For students in AU’s architecture programs; requires a portfolio and personal statement; deadlines vary.
  
• Laurence Decore Awards for Student Leadership – Recognizes outstanding leadership among undergraduate students; deadline October 15; donor: Government of Alberta.
  
• Lois Hole Humanities and Social Sciences Scholarship – For arts and social sciences undergraduates with a GPA of 3.60+ and at least 15 credits; deadline October 15.
  
• Lori Oddson Memorial Scholarship in Chemistry 217 – Nomination award for female students in CHEM 217; donor: AU.
  
• Lorraine Robertson (Wright 1947) Memorial Scholarship in Nursing – For Bachelor of Nursing students residing in Calgary or Southern Alberta with dependents; deadline October 15; donor: Alumnae Association of Calgary General Hospital School of Nursing.
  
• Louise McKinney Scholarship – For full-time undergraduates in their second year or beyond with a GPA of 3.8+; deadline October 1; donor: Government of Alberta.
  
• Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarships – Nomination awards for graduate students (Open and Travelling Scholarships); deadline February 3; donor: Government of Alberta.
  
• Marlene M Burnett Award in Nursing – Nomination award for nursing students completing clinical courses; donor: David Burnett.
  
• MEF Métis Scholar Awards – For Métis undergraduate students with a minimum GPA of 2.3 and proof of Métis heritage; deadline January 15; donor: Métis Education Foundation.
  
• Nick Evasiuk Scholarship in Sociology – Nomination award for top sociology performance; donor: Dr. Michael Gismondi.
  
• Northlands Park Endowment Awards – For students contributing to farming and volunteerism; deadline October 15; donor: Northlands Park Endowment.
  
• Patrick Heffernan Memorial Scholarship – For second-year undergraduates with the highest GPA; donor: Patricia Wieshlow.
  
• Peggy Harrison Single Parent Bursary – For single parent undergraduate students from Edmonton, NWT, Yukon, or Nunavut; deadline May 15.
  
• Rolf Nielsen Award in Labour Studies – Nomination award for outstanding performance in labour studies; donor: CAUS Canadian Benefits Trust.
  
• Rotary Club of Athabasca Award – For undergraduates from Northern Alberta demonstrating community service; deadline October 15; donor: Rotary Club of Athabasca.
  
• Syncrude / Athabasca University Aboriginal Scholarship – For Indigenous students in business or science programs; deadline October 15; donor: Syncrude Canada Ltd.
  
• TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Award – Nomination award for top performance in FNCE 370 among Alberta undergraduates; donor: TD Insurance Meloche Monnex.
  
• Thomas Edge Scholarship – For students excelling in Canadian Studies, Industrial Relations, Labour Studies, Native Studies, or Women’s Studies; nomination award.
  
• Tim Byrne Memorial Scholarships – For MEd students with outstanding thesis/project work; donor: In memory of AU’s first president, Tim Byrne.
  
• Undergraduate Lab Travel Awards – To offset travel costs for lab components in science courses; deadline October 15.
  
• Walker Family Bachelor of Commerce Award – For fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce students residing in rural or remote areas; deadline February 15; donor: Barry and Valerie Walker.
  
• Walker Family Master of Counselling Scholarship – For Master of Counselling students in practicum placements focusing on children or youth; deadline February 15; donor: Barry and Valerie Walker.
  
• Walker Wood Foundation Undergraduate First in Family Bursaries – For undergraduates who are the first in their family to attend university and are Canadian citizens; deadline October 15; donor: Walker Wood Foundation.
  
• Wayne Perry EdD & MEd Student Research Awards – For exceptional doctoral and master’s students to support dissertation or research projects; deadlines November 15 (opens Sept. 5); donor: Dr. Pamela Walsh.
  
• William S. Herron Family Charitable Foundation Awards for Calgary & Area Students – For undergraduates from Calgary and surrounding areas who are first in their family; deadline October 15; donor: William S. Herron Family Charitable Foundation.
  

How to Apply

To access these awards, bursaries, and scholarships:

1. Visit the AU Scholarships Search Portal.
   
2. Log in using your AU student credentials (e.g., student@learn.athabascau.ca).
   
3. Use the filters to search for awards by category, program, or eligibility criteria.
   
4. Follow the specific application instructions for each award listed.
   

If you have any questions, contact the AU Student Awards Unit at awardsinfo@athabascau.ca.

Final Thoughts

Athabasca University not only offers high-quality, flexible education but also a robust financial support system designed to help every student succeed. Whether you’re a mature learner, an Indigenous student, or facing financial challenges, AU’s extensive list of scholarships, awards, and bursaries ensures that financial barriers are minimized so you can focus on your academic journey.