February 08, 2023 (Edmomton)
Alberta’s government is expanding the New Beginnings Bursary to help 1,700 low-income students become nurses.
Alberta has the best front-line health-care workers in the world. Alberta’s government is committed to making sure Albertans get the care they need, when and where they need it. That includes making sure there are more opportunities for more students. Making Alberta’s post-secondary system more affordable will help Alberta train the nurses the province needs.
Thanks to an additional $8.5-million investment in the New Beginnings Bursary, up to 1,700 nursing students will be eligible for a one-time, non-repayable $5,000 bursary. Recipients in nursing programs will be automatically selected from student loan applicants who meet program and financial eligibility criteria.
“Our government is focused on making life more affordable for Albertans. That’s why we have and will continue to increase student financial assistance. We want to ensure every student can gain the knowledge and skills they need to build successful careers at home and secure Alberta’s future.”
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Advanced Education
“The New Beginnings Bursary provides assistance to those who are interested in joining the health care workforce, but may not be able to afford the additional training. Health care needs continue to grow in our province and we need more local professionals familiar with the challenges in their area. By increasing education opportunities for Albertans, we improve the chances of retaining home-grown talent.”
Jason Copping, Minister of Health
The additional funding builds off Alberta’s Healthcare Action Plan to help address the high demand for nurses and health-care professionals in Alberta. Last year, Alberta’s government created nearly 2,500 new seats in health-related programs across the province. Other initiatives include expanded training for internationally educated nurses and funding micro-credential programs in health-care fields.
“Graduates of MRU’s nursing programs make invaluable contributions to our health care system and the community at large. Increased access to financial supports, like this new bursary, helps our students focus on their education and fulfill their immense potential.”
Dr. Tim Rahilly, President and Vice-Chancellor, Mount Royal University
“Being able to access high-quality and affordable education was very important to me when I decided to become a nurse. This new funding through the New Beginnings Bursary will help so many more nurses access the training they need to go on to have successful careers in the healthcare sector, and ensure Albertans have access to the care they need.”
Nancy Tran, nursing student, Mount Royal University
The New Beginnings Bursary was created in 2022 to increase access to post-secondary education for those who might otherwise not be able to attend, due to financial constraints. By the end of the 2023-24 academic year, 3,400 low-income students will have benefited from the bursary, at a total investment of $17 million. The bursary began supporting students in the 2022-23 academic year. Alberta Student Aid will deliver funding to recipients who meet the eligibility criteria and have approved student loan and grant funding applications during the 2022-23 loan year.
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