Supporting UCalgary Students at University District

With the University of Calgary (UCalgary) main campus just steps away, students are an important part of University District (U/D) and its surrounding community.

Each year, thousands of students arrive on campus to begin or continue their studies. For some, it is their first time living away from home. For others, it may be their first experience living in Calgary or even Canada.

Through ongoing partnerships with UCalgary and businesses throughout U/D, University District continues to find ways to help students feel welcomed, connected and supported, both as they arrive on campus and throughout the school year.

For Lily, a UCalgary law student and U/D resident, having those amenities nearby makes balancing student life a little easier.

“Being able to have somewhere to get coffee, somewhere to get groceries, people nearby, campus nearby, and just everything at my fingertips makes it a lot easier to balance school.”

Student savings only steps from campus

One way U/D businesses connect with students throughout the school year is through the annual U/D Student Discount Program.

Relaunching each year on September 1, the program brings together participating businesses from across University District to provide exclusive discounts and offers to UCalgary students.

For Lily, the benefit is something she takes advantage of regularly.

“I love that we have the U/D Student Discount Program, especially with so many students living here,” Lily says. “I use it at Save-On-Foods all the time, which is really nice to save money on groceries.”

For participating businesses, the program also provides an opportunity to welcome students and build connections with their neighbours at UCalgary.

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“The discount gives students some added value, but it also helps bring them through our doors for the first time,” says Andrea Hernandez with Native Tongues Taqueria. “From there, we have the opportunity to introduce them to Native Tongues and hopefully turn that first visit into a long-lasting relationship.”

For businesses like The Hearing Loss Clinic, participation can also help make important services more accessible.

“The discount helps make hearing care more affordable and encourages students to address any hearing concerns early, while also learning how to protect their hearing for the future,” says Brittany Wilcox with The Hearing Loss Clinic.

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Students can easily spot participating businesses throughout University District by keeping an eye out for U/D Student Discount window stickers and tent cards. Students can ask participating businesses for details and should have a valid UCalgary student ID ready.

UCalgary Welcome Home Program

U/D’s support for students also begins before the school year gets underway.

For approximately 15 years, UCalgary Residence Services has welcomed students moving into residence through its Welcome Home program. For the 2026/27 school year, 3,200 bags will be waiting for students as they move into their new homes on campus.

The bags include practical everyday items such as toothpaste, laundry detergent, deodorant, floss, instant coffee and snacks, along with discounts and offers from local businesses. U/D businesses are invited to support the initiative through products, samples, discounts and other student-focused offers.

“For many of our residents, this is the first time they have ever lived on their own, as well as many have travelled from across the world to be here with us,” says TJ Fedyk, Manager of Housing Services at UCalgary. “We want to make sure that they feel welcomed and cared about.”

The support can also make a difference for students balancing tuition, residence fees and other expenses.

“The support from local businesses helps our residents who are on a tight budget with school fees and residence fees,” says Fedyk. “It is also a great way to get our residents to get out and explore U/D to see all the amazing businesses there.”

Welcoming students from around the world

University District’s support also extends to students arriving at UCalgary from around the world.

Since 2023, U/D has supported UCalgary’s International Student Services (ISS) by providing donated items for students visiting the ISS Welcome Centre. Students attending Welcome Centre events can access these items through a Resource Table as they settle into life at university, and the city as a whole.

“Receiving resources or donated items from the surrounding community lets students feel as if they are not only seen, but acknowledged by their community,” says Nina Dolojan, Welcome Centre Student Lead with UCalgary International Student Services.

With University District just steps from campus, that relationship can continue well beyond a student’s first few weeks.

“Having the surrounding community be of support to students acts as an extension of campus,” says Dolojan. “It shows that being a student of UCalgary and their experiences with the university does not just end when they leave the campus border.”

A connection that continues to grow

As University District continues to grow, so does the opportunity to strengthen those partnerships and find new ways to support students throughout the year.

For students, it means having more resources, businesses and experiences within easy reach of campus. For U/D businesses, it is an opportunity to support and build connections with students who are also their neighbours.

The 2026/27 U/D Student Discount Program launches September 1, 2026. To view the current U/D Student Discount program, please click here.