International student emergency bursaries & loans

International Student Services administers an Emergency Bursary and Loan Fund to support international students experiencing unexpected financial hardship. These funds are intended to address short-term, essential living expenses caused by emergencies that could not reasonably have been anticipated or budgeted for before coming to Canada. Emergency loans are interest-free and must be repaid when expected funds arrive, while emergency bursaries provide non-repayable assistance for verified emergencies. The program is not designed to address long-term financial challenges or expenses that should have been planned for in advance. Only active University of Alberta international students are eligible to apply.