Graduate Student Financial Aid (GSFA)
WHAT DOES THE FUND COVER?
- Rent and living expenses
- Prescription medication not covered by MSP, Pharmacare, and the AMS / GSS Health and Dental Plan
- Moving and related expenses
- The UBC Leave of Absence fee
Am I eligible?
Eligibility Criteria:
- Be a currently enrolled graduate student in a program of the UBC Vancouver Campus
- "Reside in Canada (students who reside in Canada but are temporarily outside of the country are eligible to apply)"
- Be in a recent unforeseen financial hardship and be able to provide documentations
How do I apply?
- Proof of enrolment, it can be downloaded from SSC account
- Cover letter, delineating a recent “unforeseen” / “unexpected” financial hardship
a: The panel needs any form of documentations to verify the unexpected nature of issues brought up in the cover letter
b: Cover letter needs to include the total amount of household income, the spending /expense, and the amount of funding that the situation requires. Please note that declaring the required amount will merely provide a general overview of the unexpected situation to the panel and hence is not guaranteed.
c: The cover letter needs to answer the question if the unexpected situation is ongoing, in what way/ how this one-time funding will assist the applicant with the situation
- Support Letter by any academic / non-academic office to back up and provide details on student’s financial hardship. These offices need to have sufficient knowledge of the student’s financial situation.
a: The offices includes but not limited to departments, enrolment centre, Ombudspersons, Equity and Inclusion, The Accessibility centre, etc.
b: The letter can similarly be provided by supervisor / advisor
- Letter from Enrolment Centre, mentioning whether the student has received emergency fund, stating the amount, and the date. The approval letter of award provided by enrolment centre would suffice for this purpose as well. If not eligible for this fund, a letter indicating the ineligibility is needed.
If enrollment services has awarded aid, the applicant will need to show how fund has been spent; and clarify in the cover letter if the application to the GSFA is for the same issue.
The panel invites the applicant to provide any additional supporting documentations that may provide clarity and insight into the situation.
How is the decision made?
When will I hear if my application is successful?
Health Plan Premium Assistance Fund
WHAT DOES THE FUND COVER?
Am I Eligible?
- Are current or new students at UBC Vancouver
- Have not opted out of the AMS/GSS Health & Dental Plan
How do I apply?
- Current & new students: Applications are accepted and due in September each year.
- New students starting in January: Applications are accepted and due in January.