UBC ams
Subsidies

Subsidies

Subsidies

The AMS offers hardship subsidies to students who are experiencing genuine financial hardship. 

Students can apply for five kinds of Hardship Subsidies: Health and Dental Fee Subsidy, U-Pass Subsidy, SUB Renewal Fee Subsidy, the AMS Fee Subsidy, and the Summer Transit Subsidy (from May to August only). Additionally, the AMS has recently released three new subsidies aimed at encouraging student involvement within the community: AMS Club Membership Fee Subsidy, Constituency Event Fee Subsidy, and the Child Care Bursary. The subsidies available for the current academic session are: 

Summer 2026 Transit Subsidy

The application period open and close dates are as follows: 
2026 Summer Term 1: June 2 – June 15, 2026
2026 Summer Term 2: July 20 – August 3 2026

The Summer Transit Subsidy is offered to students who are experiencing financial hardship during the summer months between May and August that are working over the summer, but either not enrolled in any courses or enrolled in online courses during the summer (for which you have not been charged U-Pass fees).

If you are ineligible for the U-Pass during the summer but still require public transit to get around and are under financial strain, the AMS will cover nearly 30% of your transit pass cost, with a maximum monthly subsidy of $55. 

For more information on the eligibility requirements for this subsidy, please refer to the page here. 

AMS U-Pass Subsidy

The application period open and close dates
2026 Summer Term 1: June 2 – June 15, 2026
2026 Summer Term 2: July 20 – August 3, 2026

The U-Pass Subsidy is offered to students who are eligible for a U-Pass in the current academic term and are experiencing financial hardship. This subsidy is not applicable to those who aren’t taking courses this term and therefore ineligible for a U-Pass.

For more information on AMS transit subsidies and exemptions, please refer to the U-Pass page.

Note: Students must pay U-Pass fees before applying for this subsidy. If approved, the subsidy will be applied to your Workday account.

AMS Fee and SUB Renewal Fee Subsidy

*Students can only apply during the first term of their academic year. Here are the dates.
2026 Summer Term 1: June 2 – June 15, 2026
2026 Summer Term 2: July 20 – August 3, 2026

Note: Students must pay their AMS Fee and SUB Renewal Fee before applying for this subsidy. If approved, the subsidy will be applied to your Workday account.

Health & Dental Fee Subsidy

*Students may only apply for the term that they are assessed their plan fee:

  • Winter Term 1: August 24, 2026 – September 28, 2026
  • Winter Term 2: January 5 – January 25, 2027
  • Summer (self-enrolments for eligible groups only): May 5 – May 28, 2027

Note: Students must pay their Health & Dental Fee before applying for this subsidy. If approved, the subsidy will be applied to your Workday account.

AMS Club Membership Fee Subsidy

  • *This subsidy is not included in the AMS Fees
  • Dates & Deadlines: Open All Year Round
  • Eligibility: any student wishing to participate in UBC student clubs
  • Purpose: alleviate financial hardship for students wishing to get involved in club activities
  • Subsidized Fees: Up to $20

Constituency Event Fee Subsidy

  • *This subsidy is not included in the AMS Fees
  • Dates & Deadlines: Open All Year Round
  • Eligibility: any student wishing to participate in an event hosted by a UBC constituency (i.e. AUS, CUS)
  • Purpose: alleviate financial hardship for students wishing to participate in campus activities hosted by a UBC constituency (i.e. CUS Conference)

Child Care Bursary Subsidy

  • *This subsidy is not included in the AMS Fees
  • Dates & Deadlines: Open All Year Round
  • Eligibility: students experiencing financial hardship & supporting dependents (children)
  • Purpose: alleviate financial hardship for students with dependents
  • Requirements: submit the formal application and provide 2 support documentation to prove genuine financial hardship

Other Financial Hardship Resources

Fee Opt-Outs

Certain AMS Fees can be opted-out of. For more information, visit the Opt-Out/Opt-In Page.

Please email avpfunds@ams.ubc.ca for any questions regarding applying for hardship subsidies. For U-Pass exemption questions, please email avpexternal@ams.ubc.ca.