Compassionate Bursary

1.0 Purpose and Eligibility

1.1 The Compassionate Bursary Fund shall assist students who are experiencing unexpected and immediate financial distress as a result of a documented emergency, hardship, or urgent circumstance.

1.2 The Compassionate Bursary Fund is intended to reimburse or assist with eligible expenses that have been incurred by the student. Approval is not based on the hardship event alone. Students must provide documentation showing that a financial cost was incurred or is payable.

1.3 The Executives are responsible for reviewing and approving student applications for CBF funding based on the applicant’s circumstances, financial need, and supporting documentation.

1.4 Each application shall be assessed on its own merits. The applicant must demonstrate both:

• a) that an eligible emergency or hardship occurred; and
• b) that the applicant personally incurred, or is responsible for, an eligible expense related to that emergency or hardship.

1.5 The CBF may provide up to $500 per term, subject to available funds and approval. Funding may be issued in amounts of up to $250 per approved circumstance, to a maximum of $500 per term.

1.6 Applicants may apply for assistance related to more than one eligible circumstance; however, each request must be supported by receipts, invoices, bills, or other acceptable proof of cost.

1.7 The CBF is not an automatic payment, general financial assistance fund, or sympathy payment. The fund is intended to assist with documented emergency-related costs.

2.0 Eligible Circumstances and Required Documentation

Students may apply under one or more of the following categories. Documentation must show both the circumstances and the related expenses.

2.1 Medical Condition

Examples of acceptable documentation may include:

• Medical bills or invoices
• Prescription receipts
• Doctor’s note or medical report
• Other documentation showing an eligible medical-related cost incurred by the student

2.2 Loss of Income

Examples of acceptable documentation may include:

• Termination letter from employer
• Record of Employment
• Death certificate or disability report of a primary income earner, if applicable
• Documentation showing the impact on the student’s ability to meet immediate financial obligations

2.3 Housing Difficulties

Examples of acceptable documentation may include:

• Eviction notice
• Rent arrears notice
• Emergency housing invoice or receipt
• Other documentation showing an immediate housing-related financial need

2.4 Emergency Family Travel

Emergency family travel may be considered where the student has incurred travel costs due to a serious family emergency.

Examples of acceptable documentation may include:

• Death certificate or medical report for a family member
• Travel receipts, such as flights, bus tickets, gas, hotel bookings, or other related travel costs
• Documentation showing that the applicant personally paid or is responsible for the expense

2.5 Serious Accident

Examples of acceptable documentation may include:

• Police report, if applicable
• Medical bills
• Repair invoices or receipts
• Other documentation showing expenses directly related to the accident

2.6 Victim of Crime or Robbery

Examples of acceptable documentation may include:

• Police report
• Proof of stolen or damaged items, such as receipts, photos, or replacement estimates
• Documentation showing the cost incurred by the student

3.0 Application Process

3.1 Students seeking CBF assistance must complete the online application form located on the SA official website:

https://rrcsa.ca/compassionate-bursary/

3.2 The application deadline is 30 days before the end of the term in which the applicant is currently enrolled.

3.3 The RRCSA may, in special circumstances, consider late CBF submissions.

3.4 Applicants must submit all required supporting documentation with their online application. This may include invoices, bills, receipts, bank statements, proof of enrolment, printed copies of grades from Student Service, and any other documentation requested by the RRCSA.

3.5 Applicants must provide detailed information explaining:

• the emergency, hardship, or circumstance;
• the financial distress caused by the situation;
• the specific expense they are requesting assistance for; and
• proof that the expense has been incurred or is payable.

3.6 Incomplete applications, or applications submitted without documentation showing an eligible cost, may be denied.

3.7 Upon receipt of the CBF application, the Executive Committee may schedule an interview with the applicant if additional information or clarification is required.

4.0 Review and Approval

4.1 Based on the information provided through the online application process, the Executives shall evaluate each application on its own merits.

4.2 The Vice-President Internal and one other Executive will review and approve qualified applications.

4.3 Approval is not guaranteed. The RRCSA may approve, deny, or partially approve an application based on the documentation provided, the nature of the expense, financial need, and available funds.

4.4 After approval, the SA will issue a cheque to the student in the approved amount. Cheques will be available for pickup at the SA office.

4.5 The RRCSA will not issue cheques in a different name and will not provide bursaries in the form of cash or electronic transfer.

4.6 The RRCSA may provide gift cards as part of the total approved amount where appropriate and based on the nature of the approved expense.

4.7 The RRCSA has limited CBF funds available annually and will approve applications on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to merit, eligibility, documentation, and available funds.

4.8 The Executive decision is final. Each case is assessed individually, and awards are made accordingly.