The George Coles Bursary
Receive up to $14,000 toward your first post-secondary credential in Prince Edward Island.
The George Coles Bursary (GCB) is a non-repayable provincial bursary for eligible PEI students attending:
- University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)
- Holland College
- Collège de l'Île
The bursary helps cover education costs such as:
- Tuition
- Books and supplies
- Administrative fees
How much can I receive?
| Institution | Amount |
|---|---|
| UPEI | Up to $3,500 per year |
| Holland College and Collège de l'Île | Up to $4,500 in Year 1 and $3,500 in Year 2 |
Maximum lifetime bursary: $14,000
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible if you:
- Are a PEI resident
- Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person (refugee status)
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Are studying full-time for a minimum of 24 consecutive weeks, beginning in the fall term.
- Are completing your first degree, diploma, or certificate
- Attend UPEI, Holland College, or Collège de l'Île
Do I need to apply?
No.
Your school automatically submits your bursary information to Student Financial Services.
If you do not receive the bursary by January 31, contact your school or Student Financial Services.
When will I receive it?
For students who start in September, the bursary is awarded in your second term (January). For students who start at other times of the year, please check with your school for eligibility.
Check your student account during:
- January
- February
Eligibility Requirements
To receive the George Coles Bursary, you must meet all of the following requirements.
1. PEI Residency
You must be a PEI resident under PEI's Student Aid residency rules.
Generally, this means:
- You or your family maintained a family home in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months and you were not in post-secondary studies; or
- You qualify through a spouse's PEI residency and employment history.
Important: Students do not establish PEI residency simply by attending a PEI post-secondary institution.
2. Citizenship Status
You must be:
- A Canadian citizen; or
- A permanent resident; or
- A protected person (refugee status) as defined by subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada).
You must also have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
3. Eligible Program
You must be enrolled in your:
- First degree; or
- First diploma; or
- First certificate
at:
- UPEI
- Holland College
- Collège de l'Île
4. Full-Time Enrollment
You must be enrolled:
- Full-time
- For at least 24 continuous weeks
Full-time means:
- At least nine semester hours; or
- At least 20 hours of instruction per week; or
- Disabled students – at least 6 semester hours
5. Year-of-Standing Requirement
Students can receive each bursary level only once:
- GC1 (First Year Standing)
- GC2 (Second Year Standing)
- GC3 (Third Year Standing)
- GC4 (Fourth Year Standing)
Your school determines your year of standing based on earned credits. If you take a reduced course load, your year of standing my not advance in the next year.
Who Is Not Eligible?
You are not eligible if:
- You have graduated from post-secondary and have a degree, diploma, or certificate
- You are an international student
- You are a resident of another province
- You receive a government tuition subsidy through another funding program
- You already received the bursary for that year of standing
Funding Programs That Make You Ineligible
Students receiving tuition funding through the following programs are not eligible:
- Training PEI (SkillsPEI)
- Department of National Defence Paid Education Programs
- Workers Compensation re-education programs
- Other targeted government tuition funding programs
Exception
Students participating in SkillsPEI Career Connect and receiving Employment Insurance (EI) remain eligible.
How Much Funding Can I Receive?
UPEI Students
Beginning August 1, 2025:
| Year of Standing | Amount |
|---|---|
| GC1 | $3,500 |
| GC2 | $3,500 |
| GC3 | $3,500 |
| GC4 | $3,500 |
Maximum total: $14,000
Holland College and Collège de l'Île Students
| Tuition Cost | Year 1 | Year 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $6,599 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $7,000 |
| $6,600 or more | $4,500 | $3,500 | $8,000 |
Changing Schools
Pathway students remain eligible. If you transfer between eligible PEI institutions, previous George Coles Bursary payments still count toward your lifetime maximum.
Example
A student who receives GC1 at UPEI and transfers to Holland College cannot receive GC1 again.
They may become eligible for GC2 when their year of standing advances.
Before You Receive the Bursary
Make sure your school has all of the following information:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Date of birth
- Mailing address
- Residency status
- High school name (or equivalent)
- High school graduation date
Missing information may delay your bursary payment.
Didn't Receive Your Bursary?
We may need more information to determine your eligibility.
- Missing information on your student account
- Gap year(s) between high school and UPEI start date.
You are not eligible for the bursary.
- Year of standing has not changed
- PEI residency requirements not met
- Previous degree, diploma, or certificate completed
If you have not received the bursary by January 31, contact:
- Your school's Registrar or Student Awards Office; or
- Student Financial Services
Appeals and Deadlines
Missing Information Forms.
Submit by:
- May 31
Appeals
If you believe you were incorrectly deemed ineligible, submit an Appeal Form by:
- June 30
Forms
Contact Student Financial Services
Student Financial Services
Mailing Address
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Office Address
176 Great George Street, Suite 212
Charlottetown, PE
Phone: (902) 368-4604
Email: studentloan@gov.pe.ca