Brandon University has announced details of its plan to support Ukrainian refugees with free tuition and additional aid. The plan offers significant assistance to qualified students, including an alternate admissions pathway, fee waivers, and sponsorship for tuition and non-tuition expenses like residence and textbooks.
"The invasion of Ukraine has created an immense humanitarian disaster, and the entire world must be united in response," said BU President David Docherty. "The ties between the Westman region and Ukraine are among the strongest in the world, and we will do all we can in support."
The new supports take effect immediately and are available to holders of the Canada-Ukraine (CUAET) emergency travel visa.
The supports include an alternate admissions pathway with significant leeway for missing or unofficial documents, eased deadlines where possible, and the reduction or elimination of fees.
The alternate admissions pathway, which was approved by Senate last week, covers not only those fleeing the war in Ukraine, but all refugees, refugee claimants, and those who do not have access to normally required documentation due to circumstances outside of their control (such as environmental disaster, institution closure, etc.).
Tuition, residence, and other education expenses for eligible Ukrainian students will be supported by a significant fund established by the university.
"We don't yet know what's going to be needed, or for how many people. A flexible fund to help is the simplest and easiest solution," Docherty said. "We are seeding our fund with an initial $100,000 enough to cover full-time tuition for seven students, and we expect we'll be able to do much more."
Along with tuition and BU residence, the fund can also be accessed for textbooks and other needed educational supplies. Details are at BrandonU.ca/Ukraine.
Brandon University was one of the first post-secondary institutions in Canada to take action in support of Ukraine, reaching out in late February to ensure that students, staff, and faculty with Ukrainian ties were accessing mental health supports, and offering accommodations as needed. BU was also among the first to raise a Ukrainian flag and has hosted a huge rally and march in support of Ukraine.
