1.3.3

Institutional Commitment

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is committed to supporting students from low-income families by providing financial, academic, health, wellbeing and practical assistance to help them continue and successfully complete their university education.

The University recognises that students experiencing poverty or financial hardship may face barriers beyond tuition costs, including difficulties meeting living expenses, accessing educational resources, travelling to campus and managing personal or academic challenges.

To address these barriers, CUD provides a range of student-support services, including free academic tutoring, academic advising, counselling, basic healthcare and eligible transportation services, alongside need-based financial assistance, accommodation options and sponsorship coordination.

These services form part of CUD's commitment to supporting students from the bottom 20% of household income or an equivalent documented low-income category, with the aim of reducing the risk that financial hardship interrupts their studies.

1. Financial Assistance for Low-Income Students

Financial support is a central component of CUD's approach to reducing economic barriers to higher education.

The University provides need-based scholarships and facilitates additional financial assistance arrangements for students experiencing documented financial difficulties.

Financial Hardship Scholarship

CUD offers a Financial Hardship Scholarship providing need-based tuition assistance of up to 40%, subject to assessment of each applicant's financial circumstances and applicable scholarship conditions.

Eligibility is assessed using documentation demonstrating financial need, which may include:

• Family or household salary certificates.
• Bank statements.
• Residential rental agreements.
• Other relevant documents establishing financial hardship.

Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.8 to continue receiving assistance under the stated scholarship conditions.

The scholarship is intended to help eligible low-income students manage tuition obligations and remain enrolled throughout their studies.

Combined Scholarships and Tuition Discounts

Under applicable scholarship regulations, eligible students may combine certain scholarships and tuition discounts up to a maximum combined tuition reduction of 60%.

These arrangements provide additional financial flexibility and help reduce tuition-related pressures on students and their families.

Emergency Financial Assistance

CUD's financial support arrangements include discretionary assistance intended for students experiencing unexpected financial difficulties.

Depending on individual circumstances and institutional approval, assistance may address urgent expenses involving accommodation, transportation, educational materials or other essential needs.

The purpose of emergency assistance is to reduce the risk that sudden financial hardship prevents students from continuing their education.

External Student Sponsorship

CUD's Student Sponsorship Liaison Office facilitates arrangements between students and external sponsoring organisations.

Depending on individual sponsorship agreements, assistance may cover tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation or other approved educational expenses.

The office also coordinates relevant administrative and academic information between the University, students and sponsoring organisations.

Financial and Administrative Guidance

Students experiencing financial difficulties may seek information about available scholarship opportunities, sponsorship arrangements and tuition payment options.

The University's student-support and administrative offices help students understand available forms of assistance and relevant application procedures.

2. Financial Aid Coverage and Institutional Performance

CUD monitors the number of students receiving financial assistance associated with poverty as part of its wider commitment to equitable access and continued participation in higher education.

Financial Aid Coverage — Academic Years 2022–23 to 2024–25

In academic year 2024–25, CUD reported that 940 of its 1,733 students received financial assistance associated with poverty, equivalent to 54.24% of the reported student population.

The number of students receiving poverty-related financial assistance increased from 618 in 2022–23 to 940 in 2024–25, representing approximately 52.1% growth over the period.

Although the proportion receiving assistance varied across the three academic years, these figures demonstrate the scale of financial support provided to students experiencing economic disadvantage.

Financial aid includes relevant institutional assistance arrangements; the reported total does not represent the number of recipients of the Financial Hardship Scholarship alone.

3. Free Academic Support Services

CUD provides academic support services designed to help students overcome learning difficulties and progress towards successful completion of their qualifications.

These services are available without additional academic-support fees and can be accessed by students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

Student Success Centre

The Student Success Centre provides free tutoring and academic skills support to students requiring additional assistance.

Services include:

• Tutoring in mathematics and English.
• Academic writing and communication support.
• Study strategies and effective learning techniques.
• Examination preparation.
• Time management and note-taking workshops.
• Academic skills coaching.

By providing tutoring and skills development without additional service fees, CUD helps ensure that students experiencing financial hardship are not required to incur extra tutoring costs to obtain academic assistance.

These services are particularly relevant to students whose academic progress may be affected by financial pressures or limited access to external educational resources.

Academic Advising

CUD provides academic advising and orientation services to help students understand programme requirements, plan their studies and identify appropriate academic support.

Advising can assist students with course planning, academic progression and challenges affecting their ability to meet programme requirements.

For students experiencing financial hardship, access to academic guidance can help reduce the risk of delayed progression and support continued enrolment.

First-Year Experience Support

CUD's First-Year Experience initiative assists new students in transitioning to university life.

Activities include orientation, opportunities for student engagement and guidance intended to help students adjust to the academic and social expectations of higher education.

These services can benefit students who face additional barriers during their transition to university, including those from financially disadvantaged households.

Scholarship Monitoring and Academic Support

CUD's scholarship administration arrangements include monitoring the academic performance of scholarship recipients.

The Scholarship Coordinator reviews relevant academic information and identifies students who may require additional assistance to maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Where appropriate, scholarship recipients can be directed towards available academic advising, tutoring and other student-support services.

This approach connects financial assistance with academic support and helps address difficulties that could affect continued enrolment or graduation.

4. Health and Mental Wellbeing Support

CUD recognises that health-related and personal challenges can affect students' ability to participate in university activities and complete their studies.

The University provides healthcare and counselling services accessible to students regardless of their financial circumstances.

CUD Health Centre

CUD operates an on-campus Health Centre providing free basic healthcare and first-aid support.

Services described by the University include:

• First aid and assistance with minor injuries.
• Support for minor illnesses.
• Basic health assessment and guidance.
• Health education.
• Access to nursing assistance.

These services help students address everyday health concerns without incurring additional charges for basic campus healthcare support.

Mental Health and Counselling Services

CUD provides free and confidential student counselling services to assist students experiencing personal, emotional or psychological difficulties.

Counselling support can address concerns including:

• Academic stress and anxiety.
• Personal and family difficulties.
• Emotional wellbeing.
• Adjustment to university life.
• Challenges affecting academic participation.

Access to counselling is available to students from different financial backgrounds, including those experiencing poverty-related stress.

These services complement financial and academic assistance by addressing personal circumstances that may affect students' ability to remain enrolled and complete their qualifications.

Health Insurance and Wellbeing Guidance

CUD provides administrative guidance to help students understand relevant health insurance arrangements and available wellbeing resources.

Information about insurance options and access to appropriate support services can help students manage healthcare-related obligations while pursuing their studies.

5. Food and Essential Living-Cost Support

Access to affordable food and essential living resources is an important consideration for students experiencing financial hardship.

CUD supports students through on-campus food options and community discount arrangements intended to reduce day-to-day expenses.

On-Campus Food Services

CUD provides on-campus dining facilities offering meals, snacks and refreshments.

The CUD Café and other available food outlets provide students with convenient dining options during the academic day.

These services offer an alternative to purchasing meals from commercial outlets outside the University and provide students with access to food without needing to leave campus.

On-campus food is provided on a paid basis rather than as a universal free meal entitlement.

CUDeals Student Discounts

CUD's CUDeals programme provides students and staff with access to discounts offered by participating external businesses.

Available arrangements have included discounts of up to 50% at selected restaurants, cafés and other participating businesses.

The programme is intended to help members of the university community reduce expenses associated with food, services and everyday activities.

CUDeals provides discounted commercial services and is distinct from direct free food assistance to low-income students.

Community Food and Poverty Awareness Activities

CUD's student clubs and community engagement activities have included food drives and poverty-awareness initiatives.

Such activities promote awareness of food insecurity and encourage contributions to communities experiencing economic hardship.

These initiatives complement the University's broader engagement with poverty-related challenges, although community outreach is distinct from direct food assistance provided to enrolled low-income students.

6. Housing and Accommodation Support

Housing costs can represent a significant financial burden for students studying in Dubai, particularly those relocating from other emirates or countries.

CUD provides student accommodation arrangements intended to offer practical residential options near campus.

University Accommodation

CUD offers access to semi-furnished student accommodation located within convenient reach of the campus.

Residence arrangements include access to selected facilities and utilities under the applicable accommodation terms.

Available amenities described by the University include:

• Furnished or semi-furnished living spaces.
• Internet connectivity.
• Included utilities under applicable residence arrangements.
• Access to nearby grocery stores and everyday services.
• Transportation between student accommodation and campus.

These arrangements may help students manage accommodation-related expenses by providing an organised university residence option.

University housing is a paid service unless the relevant student receives financial support or sponsorship covering the applicable accommodation costs.

Accommodation Support Through Sponsorship

External sponsorship arrangements coordinated through the University may include assistance with accommodation expenses, depending on the terms of individual sponsorship agreements.

Such arrangements can help eligible financially disadvantaged students meet essential living costs while pursuing their qualifications.

7. Transportation Assistance

Transportation is an important consideration for students whose financial circumstances make regular travel to campus challenging.

CUD provides transportation arrangements and information about public transport options to help students manage their commuting requirements.

Free Student Residence Shuttle

CUD provides complimentary shuttle transportation between designated university accommodation facilities and campus for eligible resident students.

This service reduces the need for students living in university accommodation to arrange and pay separately for daily transport between their residence and university.

The free shuttle is available according to residence eligibility and applicable service arrangements.

Inter-Emirate Transportation

CUD also describes transportation arrangements serving students commuting from Sharjah and Ajman.

These services are intended to provide practical commuting options for students living outside Dubai.

Such arrangements may help students manage the financial and logistical requirements of travelling to university, subject to applicable transport fees and service conditions.

Public Transportation Access

CUD's campus is accessible through Dubai's public transport network, including the Financial Centre Metro Station.

Students may also access eligible student fare concessions offered through Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, subject to the authority's applicable requirements.

Public transport access provides students with an alternative to private vehicle travel.

8. Legal, Administrative and Student Welfare Assistance

CUD provides administrative and student welfare services intended to help students manage university requirements and resolve difficulties that may affect their studies.

Visa and Immigration Guidance

International students can obtain guidance on relevant UAE student visa requirements and administrative procedures.

Such assistance helps students understand processes affecting their ability to remain enrolled and continue their education.

Student Sponsorship Liaison

The Student Sponsorship Liaison Office supports the administration of external sponsorship agreements.

Its responsibilities include coordinating relevant financial arrangements and communication concerning sponsored students.

This assistance is particularly relevant where students rely on third-party sponsorship to meet educational expenses.

Student Grievance and Welfare Procedures

CUD maintains student grievance procedures through which students can raise concerns relating to their university experience, rights or welfare.

Access to these procedures provides a means of seeking institutional assistance where unresolved issues may affect student wellbeing or academic participation.

Financial Guidance

Students experiencing financial difficulties may seek guidance regarding scholarship applications, sponsorship opportunities and applicable university payment arrangements.

Such support aims to help students understand available options and access appropriate assistance.

9. Supporting Continued Enrolment and Graduation

CUD's student-support services are intended to address the different circumstances that can affect students' ability to complete higher education.

Financial assistance helps reduce tuition-related pressures, while free academic advising, tutoring, healthcare and counselling provide additional support without requiring students to pay separate service fees.

Accommodation, transportation and administrative services complement these measures by helping students manage practical requirements associated with university attendance.

Student-Support Services Summary

The availability of free academic, health and wellbeing services is particularly important for students from low-income households who may otherwise face additional costs when seeking support.

10. Monitoring Student Needs and Support

CUD's student-support arrangements involve several university functions with responsibilities for student welfare, financial assistance and academic progress.

Through these functions, students experiencing financial or personal difficulties can access assistance relevant to their circumstances.

Scholarship monitoring and academic advising provide mechanisms for identifying students whose progression may be affected by financial or academic challenges.

CUD seeks to strengthen coordination among these services so that students requiring assistance can obtain appropriate support during their studies.

11. Contribution to Student Completion

CUD monitors completion outcomes as part of its commitment to improving student success.

In academic year 2024–25, institutional records identified 159 scholarship students expected to graduate, of whom 91 graduated on time, representing an on-time completion rate of 57.23% for the reported scholarship cohort.

The outcome was below the University's stated low-income completion target of 85%, reinforcing the importance of continued assistance for students experiencing financial and academic difficulties.

Although the scholarship-cohort completion rate is separate from the provision of individual support services, it provides context for the University's efforts to improve student outcomes.

CUD's continued priorities include strengthening access to academic support, addressing financial barriers and monitoring student progression to reduce the risk of delayed graduation.

12. Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 1 — No Poverty

CUD's financial assistance and student-support services aim to reduce poverty-related barriers to higher education and help students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds continue and complete their studies.

SDG 4 — Quality Education

Free academic tutoring, advising, student wellbeing services and educational support contribute to inclusive participation and successful progression in higher education.

SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities

Financial assistance and access to essential support services help reduce disadvantages associated with household income and support more equitable educational opportunities.

Institutional Commitment

Canadian University Dubai is committed to ensuring that students from low-income families can access support that addresses financial, academic, health and practical barriers to university completion.

Through need-based scholarships, free academic and wellbeing services, transportation assistance and coordinated student-support arrangements, CUD seeks to reduce the risk that financial hardship interrupts students' education.

The University continues to support financially disadvantaged students through accessible services, academic monitoring and institutional assistance aimed at improving continued enrolment and successful graduation.

Responsible Offices: Office of Student Affairs, Scholarship Committee, Student Success Centre and relevant university support services.

Contact: scholarship@cud.ac.ae

Primary Reporting Period: Academic Year 2024–25, with historical financial assistance comparisons from 2022–23 and 2023–24.