Benefits
Benefits Information
ULFA Members qualify for different benefits depending on their position type. Schedule B of the academic staff collective agreement set out these benefits entitlements. Further information on exact coverage and applicable limitations is available from the Human Resources department of the University. The information provided below is for informational purposes only.
There is no difference in benefits coverage between probationary and continuing appointments (e.g. while on tenure-track and once tenure is received). Members holding term appointments of at least 0.5 Full Time Equivalency as faculty members, instructors, and professional librarians are entitled to many of the same benefits as Members on probationary and continuing contracts. Sessional lecturers have access to the Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) benefit.
Here is a brief summary of the benefits available to probationary, continuing, and qualifying term Members:
- Relocation allowance
- Extended health and dental coverage
- Vision care
- Enrolment in the Universities Academic Pension Plan
- Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)
- Life insurance
- Flexible spending account for health or wellness purposes
- Professional supplement
- Member and spouse/dependent tuition benefits
- Access to the ULFA Academic Award (for eligible dependants, see below for more information)
- Study leave relocation allowance (for qualifying Members)
- Access to medical leave and long term disability; maternity & parental leave, including supplemental unemployment benefits; personal, compassionate, and domestic violence leave; political, secondment, and exchange leaves; other leaves as approved.
If you have questions about the benefits available to Members of the academic staff, please contact human.resources@uleth.ca or an ULFA staff member for support.
Parental Leave
Description to come.
Study Leave Relocation Fund
The Study Leave Relocation Fund is designed to assist financially those members of the faculty who are changing residence for academic reasons during their leave. This fund is administered by the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association, who shall be wholly responsible for the funds.
For more information, check out the following documents:
2025-2026 Study Leave Relocation Fund Application and Info Package
Please note: ULFA has recently amended the application criteria to make the process more equitable. A move is now considered a relocation if it includes a change of domicile during Study Leave for four (4) consecutive weeks or more in the same location. Proof of change in domicile must be supported by documentation and receipts.
Tuition Benefit
The Tuition Benefits are articulated in Schedules B.08 and B.09 of the academic staff collective agreement. There are two versions of the tuition benefit:
- Member’s tuition benefit (articulated in Schedule B.08): this benefit allows ULFA Members to take undergraduate or graduate courses at the University of Lethbridge for credit at a reduced rate. The benefit is valued at 100% of the tuition and administrative fees for undergraduate courses, though a $15 per course administrative fee is still charged. Members may also receive a similar benefit for auditing courses; speak to the ULFA office for more information about auditing courses.
- Spouse and dependant’s tuition benefit (articulated in Schedule B.09): this benefit allows a Member’s spouse and/or dependants to take undergraduate or graduate courses at the University of Lethbridge for credit at a reduced rate. The benefit is valued at 50% of the tuition and administrative fees for undergraduate courses, though a $15 per course administrative fee is still charged.
Visit this Human Resources page for more information and application instructions.
ULFA Academic Award
This award is for students who are enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution, and who “are the spouse, common-law partner, child, or step-child of a Statutory Member(s) of the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA); or were the dependent of a legal guardian and Statutory Member of the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA) at the time of that Member’s death.”
The award amount depends on the number of qualifying students, but is at a minimum equivalent to one 3.0-credit University of Lethbridge course.
Deadline for Application is September 30th.
Complete the ULFA Academic Award by September 30th by applying here.
