The George Coles Bursary

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?

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?

The bursary is awarded in January each year. Students must be enrolled for both the fall and winter terms to receive the bursary. 

Check your school student account by January 31 to confirm you have received the bursary.

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 remain eligible.

How Much Funding Can I Receive?

UPEI Students

Beginning August 1, 2025:

Maximum total: $14,000

Holland College and Collège de l'Île Students

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 by October 15:

• 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. After October 15, please contact your school's Scholarships and Awards office to change your personal information on your school account.

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, complete a George Coles Bursary Missing Information form (below) or 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

• George Coles Bursary Missing Information Form
• George Coles Bursary Appeal Form

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