Athlete Education Bursary

Financial support for education-related pursuits taking place during the 2026 calendar year.

Learning plays an important role in living well – offering balance, purpose, and new skills at any stage of your journey. Whether you’re exploring a new interest, continuing a program you’ve started, or taking steps that support what comes next, education can be a meaningful part of your growth.

The Athlete Education Bursary helps offset eligible education expenses for the 2026 calendar year, so you can continue to learn, grow and build towards your goals.

All expenses must be related to the 2026 calendar year. 

Application Windows

  • Intake 1: January 1, 2026 – February 28, 2026

  • Intake 2: July 1, 2026 – August 31, 2026

How much funding you can apply for

You can request $500, $1,000, or $2,000 depending on your program and your expected expenses.

$2,000 bursary

  • Master’s or postgraduate studies

  • Professional schools

  • Advanced trade or technical diplomas

  • Accreditation/licensing programs

$1,000 bursary

  • College diplomas and certificates

  • Professional certifications

  • Business and technology skills training

  • Language learning (related to work or education)

  • Academic tutoring

  • Test preparation

$500 bursary

  • Tuition top-ups

  • Textbooks

  • Course materials

  • Lab fees

  • Technology expenses

  • Online course subscriptions

  • Software

  • Tutoring

  • Entrance exam fees

These examples are meant to guide you as you consider the amount that best fits your needs.

Who can apply

You are eligible to apply if you are:

  • A carded athlete

  • A recently carded athletes (within the past two years)

  • A non-carded senior national team athletes (including those retired within the past two years)

More information about Game Plan eligibility can be found here.

You do not need to receive AAP tuition support to be eligible to apply. If you do receive AAP tuition support, the bursary is meant to offset eligible education expenses that are not covered by AAP.

If you're unsure about your eligibility, please refer our FAQs and don't hesitate to connect with your Game Plan Advisor or email info@mygameplan.ca – we're here to help.

What’s not eligible

  • Tuition or expenses already covered by AAP

  • Education-related expenses related to outside the 2026 calendar year

  • Non-educational expenses

What to expect in the application 

When applications open on January 1, you’ll be asked to provide:

  • The bursary amount you’re requesting

  • A description of expenses and a rough budget

  • A brief impact statement

  • Proof of enrolment (required)

  • Optional receipts or invoices (helpful, but not required)

When you’ll hear back

Applicants from the first intake will receive a decision by March 31, 2026.

If you have any questions in the meantime, reach out to your Game Plan Advisor or email info@mygameplan.ca. 

APPLY HERE (opens January 1, 2026): https://form.fillout.com/t/ujgMfDEhUWus 

About Game Plan

Game Plan is Canada’s holistic athlete-support network. Its nationwide team of world-class experts and specialized advisors empower national athletes with practical ways to live healthy, balanced, and personally successful lives at every stage of their journey. Game Plan’s growth-centred programs, structured services, and everyday resources are custom designed to support the total well-being of every individual athlete.

Established in 2015, Game Plan is a globally leading initiative which functions in collaboration with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), Sport Canada and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN).