The Government of Alberta has announced $1.5 million to support displaced Ukrainian students studying in Alberta. The University of Lethbridge is one of the five institutions set to receive part of the funding. (Photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Province announces more supports for displaced Ukrainian students

Feb 22, 2023 | 10:13 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta has announced new supports for Ukrainian students displaced from their home country.

As Russia’s war with Ukraine continues, the province said it expects more displaced Ukrainians to arrive in Alberta to live and learn. Through the new Ukrainian Student Benefit, the province will allocate $1.5 million to post-secondary institutions to continue providing financial supports for Ukrainian newcomers. Funds will help to cover the cost of tuition and living expenses.

Minister of Advanced Education, Demetrios Nicolaides said, “Ukrainian newcomers in Alberta should be able to access the supports they need to get back on their feet. Part of that means access to education, and our government is ensuring their costs of higher education are covered with this investment.”

The $1.5 million investment will be shared between the following five institutions that offer emergency supports for displaced Ukrainians:

• University of Lethbridge
• University of Alberta
• Olds College
• Northwest Polytechnic
• Athabasca University

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The provincial government has also expanded the eligibility for apprenticeship education programs to allow Ukrainian temporary residents to participate.

Minister of Skilled Trades and Professions, Kaycee Madu said, “Alberta needs more skilled workers to meet growing industry demands. We are working to build Alberta’s talent pipeline by creating more apprenticeship education opportunities.”

“Extending apprenticeship education programs to Ukrainian citizens on a temporary basis could mark a new step toward broadening apprenticeship education access to temporary residents of all backgrounds,” Madu added.

To be eligible, Ukrainian newcomers have to complete their chosen apprenticeship education program with less than six months of classroom instruction or have received approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or the registrar to study for more than six months.

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