Student affordability
We know being a university student comes with significant expenses. The cost of living, housing and food can impact your wellbeing and academic success. At UVic, we work hard to help with these pressures where we can.
Find supports, resources and employment options to help you save money while studying at UVic.
Awards, bursaries & financial support
undergraduate scholarships awarded
(2023/24 academic year)graduate & undergraduate bursaries awarded
(2023/24 academic year)Through a combination of university funding and donor support, UVic awards more than $12.5 million annually in scholarships for domestic and international undergraduate students.
In addition, we offer more than $5 million in bursaries and work study opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Loans and grants are also available.
Scholarships and awards are available to UVic students based on academic merit. Awards have different application and eligibility requirements.
- undergraduate scholarships and awards are managed through Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA)
- graduate awards are managed through the Faculty of Graduate Studies
Bursaries are available based on financial need. You need to meet specific criteria to be eligible for certain bursaries.
- most graduate and undergraduate bursaries are managed through Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA)
Budgeting
Budgeting can be an effective tool to manage the cost of your education. Here are some ways you can take control of your budget:
- consult the budgeting resources provided by SAFA for ideas on how to manage the cost of your education
- use the Budget Planner to create a personalized budget and find tips and guides on how to manage your money while you're in school
- explore About Your Money, a free financial literacy resource for students
- use the Cash flow calculator from GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca
Making food affordable
Campus dining
UNFS provides a range of healthy and affordable options across campus. The UNFS value menu offers items at lower price points to help you save money.
The UVic Meal Share program supports eligible students with a credit to their ONECard flex account. This credit can be used to buy food at any retail food location on campus. Or, you can choose to receive a grocery gift card for any Fairway Market location.
UVic Child Care Services has partnered with Living Edge to bring fresh fruit and vegetables to families in need from the UVic Family Centre. Over 100 families receive a bag of fresh produce every week through the program.
Student society (UVSS & GSS) programs
The UVic Student Society (UVSS) Food Bank & Free Store is a community space that supports students by supplementing basic food and other supplies. It is located in the basement of the Student Union Building (room B007).
The UVSS hosts a free monthly hot lunch program. This pop-up event serves up to 500 students throughout the academic year.
The Society for Students with Disabilities (SSD) provides options to increase food security and access to food for disabled students at UVic through food boxes and grocery reimbursements.
Groceries
- take advantage of exclusive grocery discounts available to UVic students by using your ONECard
- use the Flipp app to access aggregated weekly flyers and coupons from nearby grocery stores, helping you find the best prices for your food needs and match prices between stores
Community food resources
Connect with organizations in Greater Victoria working to support food security. Note: this is not an exhaustive list.
Housing
On campus
UVic Residence Services provides a variety of housing options for students. Living on campus not only offers convenience but also helps save costs related to housing. Plus, it provides opportunities to connect with other students.
Living in the Victoria region
Finding off-campus student housing near the University of Victoria is possible, but it requires some advanced planning. Start your search as early as possible, considering your budget, preferred location, access to bus routes and other factors. Keep in mind that rent prices can vary by neighbourhood.
Employment
Working on campus
Flexible on-campus employment opportunities are available throughout the year.
Work study
The work study program provides financial assistance through part-time employment opportunities for students with documented financial need.
Career Services
The UVic career portal lists job opportunities for students, including casual work and tutoring opportunities.
Co-op
Co-operative education (co-op) lets you try out career options and gain valuable paid work experience.
Employment resources for international students
The International Centre for Students has supports and resources to help you navigate working in Canada as a UVic student.
Community job resources
Career Services has links to popular job boards for off-campus work.Child care
UVic Child Care Services has received funding from the BC Government to support 153 child care spaces within the $10 a day child care program ($200 per month) for students, faculty, and staff.
The UVSS and GSS child care bursaries are available to student-parents to fund child care costs not covered by provincial programs. They can be used towards private child care, UVic child care, and child-minding services.
Other cost savings
ONECard local discounts
Use your ONECard to access discounts exclusive to UVic students, including deals on hotels, groceries, food & drink, recreation and other services.
Long-term strategies at UVic
While these resources are intended to help current UVic students manage their finances, we're also developing other long-term strategies to support future UVic students. These include:
- expanding our student housing inventory with new residence buildings
- developing campus plans to support live/learn and walkable communities
UVic opens two new student housing facilities in 2023
The two new residences—Čeqʷəŋín ʔéʔləŋ (Cheko’nien House) and Sŋéqə ʔéʔləŋ (Sngequ House)—provide much-needed student housing, as well as new academic and social space to help students live a full, fun and experience-rich life at UVic.
University District to bring walkable community to campus
The University District will transform UVic’s Ian Stewart Complex and adjacent lands into a walkable mixed-use community to support much-needed new housing.