Student Support

Whether you’re in your first year or finishing up your degree, the University of Alberta offers a range of resources and services to help students stay safe, healthy, and supported. From food banks and meal programs to mental health resources and financial aid, there are services on campus designed to make sure no student falls through the cracks. Take a look at the resources provided below to find the support that’s right for you.

Campus Safety

  • Staying on campus late? UASU’s SafeWalk program offers student two volunteers to walk with you anywhere on campus or within 20 minutes from nearly any LRT station. You can walk with them as needed, or set up a recurring schedule.

    For more information, check out SafeWalks site here.

    Phone: (780) 492-5563

  • The Lone Worker Service was initiated and is provided by the University of Alberta Protective Services to enhance your personal safety while working or studying alone. The Service is available to everyone in the University of Alberta community during the quiet hours of the evening, weekends and statutory holidays.

    Service Hours:

    • Monday to Friday - 10:00 pm to 7:00 am

    • 24 hours during weekends and statutory holidays

    Members of the UofA community may call Protective Services at 780-492-5050.

    Find more information about this program here.

  • University of Alberta Protective Services (UAPS) is an operational unit within Facilities and Operations. As a Community Peace Officer agency we provide a number of services to the University of Alberta, including:

    • General Patrol and Incident Response

    • Complaint Investigation

    • Threat Assessment

    And many others.

    If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

    Non-emergency calls can be made to campus security at 780-492-5050.

    For more information, click here.

    • EMERGENCY - CALL 911

    • Dispatch (Non-Emergency): (780) 492-5050

    • Lost and Found: (780) 492-2943

    • U of A Switchboard: (780) 492-3111

Students Experiencing Food Insecurity

  • Campus Food Bank Society is an independent charity supporting University of Alberta students, faculty, staff, and recent graduates. They are located in SUB 1-81.

    Follow the link here to learn more about becoming a client, other food access programs, and how you can donate.

  • The Supplementary Grocery Program is also run by the campus foodbank and provides free food hampers to students, staff, and recent alumni to help with food insecurity.

    Find out more information here.

  • Located on University of Alberta North Campus in the Rutherford Library Galleria, the U of A Community Pantry is a communal effort at supporting food security within the U of A campus community. Students are able pick up food or drop off donations. OneCard access is required.

    Learn more about the campus’ community pantry here.

  • The University of Alberta has free snack stations located in various buildings on North Campus through the Campus Food Bank (CFB), including the Chaplains' Centre, Health Centre, and student services offices for faculties like Education and Science. Other locations include:

    • RG Office

    • The Landing

    • Indigenous Graduate Students' Association

    • International Service Centre

    • Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences (ALES) Student Services

Financial Support

  • The Office of the Registrar offers various forms of financial support designed to assist students experiencing financial shortfall for the current school year's academic and basic living costs or a temporary unexpected financial emergency during the academic year.

    Review programs and eligibility requirements here.

  • The University offers resources on how students can better work with a budget to avoid financial distress. Read more on their tips and tricks here.

  • In addition to budgeting and planning, the University offers information and additional resources to help students build better financial literacy. This can be found here.

Students Experiencing Homelessness

    • Having no shelter/sleeping outside

    • Staying at an emergency shelter

    • Couch surfing or staying with friends

    • Being in unsafe relationships to keep housing

    • Living in substandard spaces

  • The University of Alberta Safe House Program offers temporary emergency accommodation for current students and their children. 

    This emergency shelter program is for registered students at the U of A who are experiencing an immediate personal safety risk (including emotional, physical, or sexual harm), intolerable living conditions, or extreme financial difficulty.

    Safe House stays can range from one day up to two weeks. Student pets can be accommodated in the Safe House Program. 

    A Safe House Advisor will provide follow-up support and referrals to assist the student in resolving, in a timely manner, the situation that caused them to require Safe House accommodation.

    More information on this program can be found here.

  • Wellness Supports has a team of Registered Social Workers providing supportive case management services to students on a one-to-one basis.

    Their team works with students to strengthen mental health and wellbeing, promote increased stability in daily life, appropriately share resources, make relevant referrals, and engage in robust coordination with on and off-campus services. They can also assist students in the areas of housing, finances, academics, personal wellness, life skill development, family dynamics, system navigation, and any area of life where there is a desire to invite change.

    More information on campus Social Worker Supports can be found here.

  • The Peer Support Centre (PSC) is a Students' Union service that offers a free, confidential, and non-judgemental place to talk to someone for support. No issue is too big or too small. Their trained volunteers offer peer support, crisis management, information and resources, as well as a safe and confidential place to talk. Their volunteers will listen to help you uncover some steps you can use to improve your situation, no matter what the issue. They also have a library of on and off campus resources to give you an idea of where to go when you leave the Centre.

    Learn more here.

  • To check out additional supports on campus that relate to homelessness, click here.

Mental Health Supports

  • Follow the link here to find an extensive list of services designed to support students experiencing an array of mental health concerns, including counselling and clinical services, wellness supports, and the sexual assault centre.

  • The University of Alberta is committed to supporting a culture of consent, increasing understanding and awareness of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and sharing information on where those who are experiencing effects of SGBV can seek support.

    To learn more about how the U of A is dedicated to creating a culture of consent on campus, click here.

Equity & Inclusion Services

  • The University of Alberta has committed to nurturing an inclusive learning community that centres equity and diversity in its environment and recognizes the inherent dignity of all learners. As such, accommodation support is available to remove barriers for eligible students who encounter limitations or restrictions to their ability to perform the activities necessary for university life.

    Learn more here.

  • At University of Alberta, ACB is the office dedicated to creating a campus where everyone — students, staff, faculty — can succeed, connect, and feel a sense of belonging. They aim to achieve the following:

    • Access: Removing barriers so all members have equal opportunity to thrive.

    • Community: Fostering connection, mutual support, and collaboration across diverse groups.

    • Belonging: Making sure people feel valued, respected, and included.

    It is the University’s central hub for equity, inclusion, and student support — a go-to place for anyone seeking resources to feel supported, safe, and included on campus.

    To learn more about ACB, click here.

  • Rooted in the teachings of ancestors, First Peoples' House provides a space where First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students can find community, cultural connection, and holistic support as they navigate their academic journeys. More than a student service centre, they are the heart of the FNMI community on campus—offering programs that uplift, empower, and ensure that every student feels seen, heard and valued.

    Learn more here.

  • The Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity is a non-profit organization and research institute housed in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta.

    Fyrefly provides programs and services to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community and its allies. Their work also involves partnerships with organizations such the Calgary Centre for Sexuality, Boyle Street Community Services, and the Pride Centre of Edmonton to provide direct services, including crisis intervention, mental health supports, and 2SLGBTQ+ education.

    Learn more here.

  • The University has services available to help students looking for immigration support.

    If you have any questions, submit an inquiry via the ISVS Contact Form or visit the International Service Centre during regular advising hours to speak with an Advisor. 

    You can find more resources and contact information here.

  • International Student and Visitor Services (ISVS) provides programs, services and events for U of A international students and academic visitors. Their team of licensed immigration specialists and student advisors support you in adjusting to Edmonton - helping you to succeed at the U of A.

    Learn more here.

  • The Landing is a student service at the University of Alberta's North campus that offers support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. They strive to promote gender equity on a broad scale and advocate for the safety and acceptance of individuals of all genders and sexualities in campus life. As part of this mandate, they support 2SLGBTQ+ communities and individuals as well as their supporters, friends, family and loved ones.

    We also offer peer supportive listening services catered towards the needs of 2SLGBTQ+ University of Alberta students. Need someone to talk to someone from the community about struggles with identity/sexuality, coming out, gender affirming care, or anything else (academics, relationships, stress)? Book a session or drop into their space during their operating hours!

    Learn more here.

Student Service Centre

The Student Service Centre provides information and access to services to support your academic, financial, mental and physical well-being. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure of what to do, they’re a great first stop for you to visit.

You can visit them in person at 2-180 University Commons.

They also have virtual live chats, phone supports, and an online student service portal if you don’t wish to speak to someone face to face.

Additional supports and information can be found on their site here.