Thank you for your application to the AUSU Food Assistance Program.
You will be notified whether or not you are a successful recipient at the start of the following month. Recipients are selected by random draw.
If you are successful recipient, you will be contacted by AUSU staff to obtain information about what major grocery chain you would like to receive a gift card for, or to make alternative arrangements if there are no grocery chains in your local geographical area.
If you are not a successful recipient, you will be notified so that you can apply again for the following month if you are still facing food insecurity.
Students can be awarded a food voucher once per calendar year.
Resources
AUSU has also compiled a list of resources to assist you with finding other funding, resources, and wellness support.
Food Security Resources
• Food Banks Canada (National Listing of Food Banks across Canada)
Health and Wellness Resources
• Homewood Health Wellness Support Program (Counselling and Support for AU Students)
• TalkCampus (Peer-Support Mental Health app for AU Students)
• Nukskahtowin Meeting Place Resources (Indigenous Student Supports)
• AU Wellness Portal
Funding Resources
• AUSU Award and Bursaries
• Athabasca University Student Awards
• Athabasca University Student Financial Aid
• Canada Student Aid
• Provincial Student Aid Funding Agencies
• Student Discounts in Canada
There are also other scholarship options available provincially and nationally. Here are a few sites to get you started, but we also recommend just searching for funding, grants, or scholarships in your area.
• Scholarships Canada
• Universities Canada Scholarships
• Yconic Scholarships
• Indspire Bursaries and Scholarships for Indigenous Students
Advocacy and Representation
AUSU is aware that food insecurity continues to be an issue for post-secondary students. There are many factors for this, including rising costs of tuition and living expenses and an insufficient financial aid system. Students often endure undue hardship while simply trying to further themselves personally, professionally, and for the bettering of society.
We regularly advocate to the University as well as the provincial and federal governments for better student support and financial aid, and for removal of systemic barriers that students face in the post-secondary system. We will be using the information collected during the pilot launch of our Virtual Food Assistance Program to assist in our advocacy efforts and further develop resources to remove barriers students are facing. Find out more about our advocacy efforts online here.
If you have any questions, please contact AUSU at services@ausu.org.