Double your donation. Multiply their success.
From now until September 30, every gift in support of financially vulnerable business students will be matched dollar for dollar
The cost of living is through the roof. Groceries, rent, taxes, utilities — prices for everything are rising faster than what university students are earning. Many are barely making ends meet. For some, financial pressures or personal challenges can force them to put their academic and career ambitions on hold. But thanks to an anonynous donor, we can help change that. Between now and September 30, every gift will go twice as far.*
At HEC Montréal, the number of financial aid applications increases every year. Fortunately, in 2025–2026, your generosity meant we could step in and provide an additional $20,000 in funding compared with the previous academic year. A total of 327 needs-based bursaries were granted to students experiencing financial hardship, allowing them to pursue their educational goals with confidence and peace of mind.
Too many applications, too few awards
Behind every aid application is someone determined to get ahead, make a tangible contribution and build a brighter future. With more and more students struggling financially as a new school year gets underway, we are turning to you once again to ask for your support. Your gift — combined with the generosity of other donors in our community — can make the difference between moving forward and being left behind.
Campaign proceeds will be used to provide immediate assistance and student bursaries.
Your gift, multiplied. Their potential, amplified.
Together, let’s maXimize their chances for success
An extra $900 a month: What students need to get by
Philippe d’Astous, Professor at HEC Montréal’s Department of Finance and Director of the Financial Education Lab, has found that a typical student in Montreal has a monthly budget shortfall of about $900 — and that’s just for essential expenses.
Without your help, they often have to work extra hours or take on a heavier debt load. And if an unexpected emergency arises, they may even have to walk away from a promising opportunity.Financial hardship comes in many forms — some of which are invisible
Sometimes, even when a student is doing well academically, they are wrestling with personal circumstances that can threaten their ability to succeed. Financial assistance to cover expenses like tuition, groceries and rent can make all the difference. Here are just a few examples of the challenges they may face:
- Caregiving or bereavement. A student is looking after a sick parent or child.
- Rejection or discrimination. A student is shunned by their family after coming out as gay.
- Exploitation. A student is forced to quit a job because of toxic working conditions and has nothing to fall back on.
- Violence. A student leaves an abusive relationship and has to start over.
- A break-in, accident or fire. A student has to pick up the pieces and rebuild their life.
About the Student Assistance Fund
The Student Assistance Fund helps applicants in difficult or urgent circumstances of a financial or other nature that jeopardize their ability to continue their studies. The support they receive from the fund is vital in reinforcing their resilience.
Every gift goes twice as far
*From now until September 30, 2026, an anonynous donor will match all donations made to the Student Assistance Fund, up to a total of $ 20,000.