Supporting members and their families

The AAU Bursary Program was created for members, by members. The program is in place to assist with the costs of a post-secondary education for member’s children/dependents. 

Eligibility

This program applies only to Members’ dependent children* enrolling with a post-secondary education institution. Study may be full-time or part-time. Members can be awarded a bursary only once per child/dependent. In order to provide as much assistance as possible, the Professional Development Committee and Executive Committee will annually review and set the rubric for awarding these bursaries. 

Application Process 

• Fill out the AAU Bursary Program Application 

• Include proof of enrollment in the post-secondary institution. (A letter of acceptance is not satisfactory proof.) 

To be considered, submit all documents by February 28, 2026. For more information, you may contact us at coordinator@atlanticau.ca or via phone at (902) 229-4005.

The AAU has established a fund to award up to $10,000 annually in grant funding to eligible members of the AAU for Professional Development opportunities, including conferences, courses, workshops and skill-based training. The following grant opportunities are available to members: 

• In-Province Professional Development Grant

• Out-of-Province Professional Development Grant (where travel is involved a higher PD Grant amount may be considered)

Grant Eligibility 

To be eligible, the individual must be an active member of the AAU at the time of application. Active members of the AAU include the Faculty and Professional Support Bargaining Units as defined in the AAU Collective Agreements. An individual can only be awarded an In-Province Professional Development Grant or an Out-of-Province Professional Development Grant once in a three-year period. 

Grant Application Deadlines 

Applications must be submitted to the Vice-President Member Engagement for review by the Executive before February 28, 2026.

Application Process

• Fill out the AAU PD Program Application 

• To be considered, submit all documents by the due date.

Selection Process 

Grants are awarded and reviewed by the AAU Executive Committee. Applications shall be reviewed according to the following criteria: 

• Contributions to the AAU 

• Contributions in the applicant’s professional career 

• Contributions to NSCC and your community 

• Professional benefit 

• Special consideration may be given to a faculty or professional support member new to the profession 

• Remuneration from other sources and expenses incurred may be considered when determining the amount awarded

The AAU Member Emergency & Assistance Program (MEAP) was created for members who have fallen on hard times. The program is in place to assist the member in offsetting some of the costs that result from an unanticipated event or emergency (e.g. fire, illness, floods) and where the member doesn’t have (sufficient) insurance or other financial means to cover these unanticipated expenses. 

Eligibility

This program applies to active members only (dues payment need to be up to date). Members can get help when a situation is caused by unforeseeable circumstances beyond their control. Members can receive a MEAP payment only once per event. To provide as much assistance as possible, the Executive Committee will review each individual case and set the rubric for awarding this program. 

Application Process 

• Fill out the AAU MEAP Application

• Submit the document to coordinator@atlanticau.ca to be considered

• Applications are accepted throughout the year

For more information, please contact coordinator@atlanticau.ca or via phone at (902) 229-4005.

The purpose of this program is to provide members with direct exposure to an AAU executive and to help them develop a thorough understanding of the AAU. This internship is available to active members throughout the Academic Year. 

A Day with your Union’s Executive Committee Member 

If you have an interest in your Union and would like to become more engaged, this is the program for you. This program allows you to spend a day with an Executive Committee Member and learn more about their role and responsibilities. This is an opportunity to obtain direct personal observation and a firsthand account of the operation of your Union. A travel allowance is available in accordance with the conditions of this program. 

Application Process

Applications are accepted throughout the Academic Year. Please submit your Mentorship Application Form by email to our coordinator. 

For further information regarding the AAU Mentorship Program, please contact our coordinator at coordinator@atlanticau.ca.

How much kindness can $300 buy? With a little creativity, the answer is a lot! 

Every year, each NSCC campus is strongly encouraged to participate in this initiative. We encourage our campus representatives to select a cause that is important to their community, and to leverage a $300 donation from AAU to do as much good as possible.

The goal is to encourage the active participation of members of each campus to give back to their community in an organized, fun and meaningful way. Maybe you organize a litter clean-up of a road in the spring, or set up outside a grocery store or farmers market and use your funds to purchase pumpkins that you give away in return for a donation to a specific cause like the SPCA or a Food Bank.

For other ideas, inspiration can be drawn from the Volunteer NS website, a provincial organization that helps make the connection to 10 organizations looking for volunteers.

Also of note, World Kindness Day 2026 is Friday, November 13.