University of Alberta Scholarships: Benefits, Eligibility, Application, Award Payment

Offering financial assistance to international students is critical in ensuring that the university attracts outstanding students from diverse backgrounds. With this thought, various University of Alberta scholarships are designed for the students enrolled in different levels of studies. As an incoming undergraduate or postgraduate student, applicants can avail the University of Alberta Scholarships based on the academic merit and financial requirements. The UAlberta scholarships are available in the form of:

• General UG Entrance Scholarships
• Athletics Scholarships
• Country-Specific Scholarships
• Sponsored Student Scholarships

International students enrolling in Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral students can apply for such University of Alberta Scholarships. In the case of Bachelor scholarships, applicants may not have to submit any additional scholarship application as they will be evaluated based on their applications for admission to the University of Alberta. 

This is not the case with UAlberta Scholarships for Masters and Doctoral students. All the scholarships, fellowships, and awards designed for them require a separate application or a nomination/recommendation from the department. Prospective applicants of the University of Alberta Scholarships are advised to verify details of their chosen Bachelor, Masters or Doctoral scholarship.

Explore: Scholarships in Canada for international students

University of Alberta Scholarships for Bachelor Students

In 2017, 87 million CAD was provided to 17,130 domestic and international bachelor students of UAlberta. As a new UG student at the University of Alberta, applicants can avail scholarships where they may or may not have to complete a separate scholarship application form.

Some of the University of Alberta Scholarships for Bachelors students have been tabulated below:

Applications for UAlberta Bachelors Scholarships

At the time of their application to the chosen UG program at the University of Alberta, applicants will be given a CCID and password. Using these, applicants can access the eligible UAlberta undergraduate scholarship. 

Majority of the application-based undergraduate University of Alberta Scholarships will require applicants to complete the following sections:

• An activity summary (100 words approx)
• Answering five long questions
• A couple of yes/no questions
• Section for the contact number of references

All the questions are aimed at finding out the interests and the previous experiences of the applicant and are a crucial factor in the final decision of the awarding of the scholarships.

The UG scholarship applications are made available during the period of October to December. The exact dates vary every year and can be found on the university website.

University of Alberta Scholarships for Masters Students

Through a wide array of University of Alberta Scholarships for graduate studies, students receive the required financial assistance. Annually, the UAlberta’s Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) provides around 26 million CAD in scholarships, fellowships, and bursaries. 

Any University of Alberta graduate scholarship intended to support meritorious students is generally awarded to students with GPA 3.5 or higher, on the University of Alberta grading scale. Additional Selection criteria may be considered. 

Some of the graduate scholarships offered by the University of Alberta have been tabulated below:

Applications for UAlberta Masters Scholarships

All the University of Alberta Scholarships for graduate students are administered by its Graduate Scholarship Committee (GSC). The committee has established a nomination procedure. 

Eligible applicants for the graduate scholarships are considered on the basis of the recommendations sent by the admitting PG department at the University of Alberta.

• The department submits the nomination package to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR).
  • Must be done before the nomination deadline via GSMS.
• The FGSR reviews the nomination for eligibility and forwards them to the Graduate Scholarship Committee for evaluation.

A complete nomination package for PG scholarship at the University of Alberta includes;

1. A department nomination form
2. Student’s updated CV
3. Two LOR
4. All post-secondary transcripts

Note: Evidence of the IELTS, GMAT, GRE and other exams to study in Canada is mandatory for all the international students.

University of Alberta Scholarships for Doctoral Students

Doctoral students are offered financial assistance through the University of Alberta Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship. Through this program, the university recruits 12 doctoral students who have the potential to contribute to its research. Scholarships are awarded in the increments of 5,000 CAD. 

• Eligibility: Registered full-time in a doctoral degree program and have a minimum admission GPA of 3.5.
• How-to-Apply: No application process; recommendations made by the admitting department.

The scholarship award value may vary and will be indicated in the original letter of offer.

Apart from the University of Alberta Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship, international doctoral students can opt for programs like

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
• Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships.

These scholarships are offered by the Canadian Government and Foundations and not the University of Alberta. Therefore, the programs have their own set of eligibility, application, and selection guidelines. 

University of Alberta Masters and Doctoral Scholarships

Since both masters and doctoral scholarships at the University of Alberta are administered by GSC, there are a few scholarships which are available for students of both programs. 

One such scholarship program is Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship (GSS). It is designed for Alberta students undertaking full-time research at the university, leading to research-based Master’s or Doctoral degrees. GSS is applicable for students enrolled in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Nanotechnology, and Omics.

Available as full scholarships, recipients of the Alberta Innovates GSS receive

• 26,000 CAD if enrolled in a master’s program.
• 31,000 CAD if enrolled in a doctoral program.

Alberta Innovates GSS is also offered as a Top-up value scholarship. Tri-Council Scholarships (CIHR/NSERC, and Vanier), China Scholarship Council and other external award holders, who are awarded Alberta GSS, will get 12,000 CAD for the duration of their eligibility.

The Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship terms vary from one to four years, depending on the recipient’s circumstances.

University of Alberta Scholarships Award Payment

The duration and value of the allotted University of Alberta Scholarships are outlined in the recipient’s offer letter. International students will be sent this offer letter before they leave their home country and arrive to study in Canada. The scholarship award payments are made in arrears:

• UAlberta Scholarships valued up to 6,000 CAD are paid in a one-time payment, within the period notified in the offer letter.
• Scholarships and awards over 6,000 CAD and up to 12,000 CAD are usually paid in two equal installments. Payment is done at the commencement of two successive academic terms.
  • In some cases, the payment of the second installment is dependent on the recipient's performance and adherence to award regulations. 
• University of Alberta scholarships valued over 12,000 CAD are dispersed in equal semi-monthly installments. 

Applicants and recipients must note that it is not possible to change the method and timing of payments. This payment design for the University of Alberta Scholarships is made keeping in mind the finances of international students with Canada student visa.

Recognizing that all students may not be aware of the UAlberta Scholarships available to them, they have designed a single UAlberta Scholarship Application Form. Based on every applicant’s academic merit, financial need, family background, and interests, the University of Alberta will assess their application for the most suitable scholarship program.