Applications for AUSU’s spring award cycle opened April 15. Up to twenty-six AU undergrad students will be selected to receive awards of up to $1000 each. Undergrad students at AU can apply online for these awards, including scholarships and bursaries, from now until May 31.
A brief description of each award follows (visit the AUSU website for full descriptions.)
2SLGBTQIA+ Award. One award of $1000. Applicants must be 2SLGBTQIA+, and be AU students who are enrolled in any undergrad faculty (FHSS, FB, FHD, FST, or Open Studies) and have completed at least six AU credits, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0. Along with a current AU transcript you’ll need to include a personal statement of at least 250 words describing your personal experience as a 2SLGBTQIA+ student at AU.
#Igo2AU Award. Two awards of $1000 each. Applicants must be AU undergrad students; there is no minimum number of credits required, nor minimum GPA. With your application you’ll need to provide a link to an online two-minute video articulating your personal experiences in one or more of five given areas related to AU.
Academic Achievement Scholarships. Three awards of $1000 each. Applicants must be AU undergrad students who have completed at least thirty AU credits, and have a minimum GPA of 3.85 over the most recent thirty credits at AU. You only have to include a current AU transcript with the application for this one.
Balanced Student Awards. Four awards of $1000 each. Applicants must be AU undergrad students who have completed at least six AU credits, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0 over the most recent six AU credits. You’ll need to supply at least two letters of reference, along with a current AU transcript and an essay of at least 300 words describing how you balance your education with other life commitments.
Returning Student Awards. Four awards of $1000 each. Applicants must have been away from formal education for at least two years before returning to university, be current AU undergrad students who have completed at least six AU credits, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0 over the most recent six AU credits. You’ll need to supply information on education prior to AU, along with a current AU transcript and an essay of at least 300 words outlining the challenges you faced returning to school and how you overcame these challenges.
Student Volunteer Awards. Three awards of $1000 each. Applicants must be AU undergrad students who have completed at least six AU credits, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0 over the most recent six AU credits. You’ll need a letter of reference from a volunteer supervisor, along with a current AU transcript and details about your volunteer or community service activities.
AUSU Bursaries. Five bursaries of $1000 each. Applicants must be AU undergrad students who have completed at least six AU credits, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0 over the most recent six AU credits. In addition to detailed financial info, you’ll need a current AU transcript, plus an essay of at least 300 words outlining your current financial need and steps you have taken to improve your financial situation.
New Student Bursaries. Four bursaries of $500 each. Applicants must be AU undergrad students who have completed fewer than six AU credits. In addition to detailed financial info, you’ll need a current AU transcript, plus an essay of at least 300 words outlining your educational or career goals and how AU will contribute to you achieving those goals.
All awards require a fully-completed online application form, along with the supplemental materials indicated on each award’s application. Where an AU transcript is required, a PDF copy of the transcript preview is sufficient; instructions on how to obtain a transcript preview are included on the application form.
Visit www.ausu.org/services/awards/ for more information and full eligibility criteria on each of these awards and to apply. The deadline for the spring cycle is Wednesday, May 31.
The Voice features scholarships each week, often ones that appeal to a broad cross-section of university students across Canada. It’s always good to apply for any scholarships you’re qualified for—somebody has to win them and it could be you. AUSU awards, however, are like low-hanging fruit: they’re just for students like you and totally within your reach.