The Government of Yukon is increasing support for students pursuing medical education, nursing and health careers, while improving the application process. An additional $200,000 investment in the bursary programs as part of Budget 2026 will increase the funding available to $289,000.
This additional funding helps advance the Yukon government’s commitment to increase support for medical, nursing and health care bursaries for Yukon students. The funding will help more Yukon students access financial support in their pursuit of careers in high-demand fields such as medicine, nursing, speech language pathology, pharmacy, social work, audiology, dental hygiene and other health professions. In return, bursary recipients commit to contributing to the Yukon’s workforce after graduating.
Starting this year, applications will be submitted through the Government of Yukon’s Student Financial Assistance Portal, an online system used by Yukon students to access territorial and federal financial assistance. This change makes it easier to apply through a centralized platform. Students can also check their application status and receive notice of funding decisions through the portal.
Applications for the Medical Education, Nursing, and Health Careers Bursaries will open in June when the Student Financial Assistance Portal begins accepting applications for the 2026–27 academic year. Applications will be accepted until August 31, 2026.
The updated process replaces the manual application system and reduces administrative burden for applicants. The online portal provides a guided application experience, with less duplicate information and aligns with other student financial assistance programs already used by Yukon students.
We are substantially increasing our bursary programs to help Yukon students pursue health careers and contribute to the Yukon after graduating.
We are thrilled to more than double the support available for students pursuing careers in health and social services and to make the process even more centralized for those using the Student Financial Assistance Portal for a variety of funding programs.
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Funding included as part of Budget 2026 is subject to legislative approval.
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Budget 2026 includes an additional $200,000 investment to expand the health bursary programs.
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Two of the three bursary programs were introduced in 2006 and the existing nursing bursary was expanded. Since 2006, a total of 246 Yukon students have received financial assistance to pursue education in health related fields.
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These bursary programs support students in priority areas including medicine, nursing, social work, audiology, dental hygiene and other health and social services professions.
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Funding amounts vary by program and level of study.
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The criteria and vetting process for funding decisions remains the same.
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Applications will be accepted through the existing Student Financial Assistance Portal over an extended intake period of approximately 10 weeks.
Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
[email protected]
Nigel Allan
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-9576
[email protected]
Zara.Soukoroff
Communications, Education
867-332-6481
[email protected]