SAMRU financial aid program pushes students to leave the classroom

ELF program applications can be submitted in person to SAMRU reception on the second floor of MRU Wyckham House. (Reese Nelson, CMRU.ca)

The Student Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU) is about to open applications for their financial aid program known as the Experiential Learning Fund (ELF). The ELF program helps students fund educational opportunities outside of Mount Royal University (MRU) such as exchange programs, field schools, and conferences. 

Students can receive a certain amount of funding for meals, transportation, and accommodation based on which of the following categories they fall into:

• $150 for conferences within Alberta, including Calgary.
• $300 for conferences within Canada, outside Alberta. 
• $500 for international conferences
• $700 for field school, work abroad, and exchange experiences 

Applicants must be 18 years old, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, and a current credit student at MRU to be eligible for the grant. 

Eligible students can apply for up to two ELF opportunities per academic year. All funding is given on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Conditions apply if application is approved

The ELF program requires students to submit documentation upon completion of their development experience. Eligible paid expense receipts, a brief report, and a picture from the experience must be submitted to SAMRU in order to receive funding. 

The funds are restricted against being used for pleasure travel, tuition, or activities that break any laws. Receipts also cannot be submitted to SAMRU if they have already been reimbursed through parental support, employment, and other grants. 

Students can apply up to two months before the start of their development experience. Applications can be submitted to the reception office at Wyckham House (Z222) or online. SAMRU will begin taking applications November 1st, 2025.