Fellowships & Financial Aid
Financial support for our graduate students is important to the University of Toronto and to the School of Graduate Studies. This is why in 2000 the university took a major step, making the commitment to a funding package of at least $12,500 plus tuition and fees to eligible doctoral-stream students.
U of T is the first Canadian university to offer a guaranteed level of financial support for graduate students pursuing doctoral degrees. The funding will be available for up to five years of study and will help ensure that graduate students have the financial resources to focus on their programs and complete their degrees in a timely manner.
Although financial support cannot be guaranteed to all graduate students, we encourage you to inquire about financial assistance at your academic department or the Fellowships and Loans Office, School of Graduate Studies.
Fellowships Awarded by Government Agencies
The following federal and provincial government programs offer financial support to Canadian citizens and permanent residents:
NSERC
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada supports the development of highly qualified Canadians in science and engineering at the undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral level. Postgraduate scholarships are available in two categories: PGSM $17,300/year and PGSD $21,000/year.
Applications are available online at NSERC.
SSHRC
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada supports university-based research at the graduate and post-doctoral level for students in the humanities and social sciences. Doctoral fellowships are valued at $20,000/year. Applications can be obtained online at SSHRC.
CIHR
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research offer doctoral research awards that are intended to provide special recognition and support to students who are pursuing a doctoral degree in the health sciences in Canada. The closing date for receipt of applications is Oct. 15. Awardees will receive an annual stipend of $21,000. Additional information can be obtained at CIHR.
Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS)
All three granting councils (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) also offer the CGS. Master’s level support is $17,500/year. Doctoral support is $35,000/year. Please visit one of the councils’ Web sites for additional information.
OGS/OGSST
The Government of the Province of Ontario provides graduate scholarships tenable at Ontario universities. These scholarships are available for graduate studies in all disciplines. Sixty of these awards are available to visa students.
OGS is valued at $15,000/year. Applications for OGS are available online at OSAP.
The Government of the Province of Ontario also assists in providing Ontario Graduate Scholarships in Science and Technology (OGSST). This program is designed to encourage excellence in graduate studies in science and technology. The program is supported through funds provided by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and by funds raised by the University of Toronto from the private sector. Consult your graduate department for their deadline. Value: $15,000 per year or $5,000 per term. Only available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
The federal and provincial governments provide financial support to qualified students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Ontario. The amount of the loan depends on your calculated financial need. Students can apply online at OSAP.
For Non-Canadians
Government of Canada Awards Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
The Canadian Commonwealth Program is designed to provide opportunities for students of other Commonwealth countries to pursue advanced programs in Canada. Each scholarship includes: return transportation; tuition and other compulsory university fees; settling-in allowance $500(Cdn); baggage vouchers for personal effects when returning home; personal maintenance allowance $1,100(Cdn)/month; approved medical and hospital expenses; and annual book allowance $500(Cdn).
For more information contact: The Commonwealth Scholarship, Plan c/o International Council for Canadian Studies, 908-75 Albert St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 5E7 E-mail: general@iccs-ciec.ca Web: www.scholarships-bourses-ca.org
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Persons involved with CIDA sponsored projects in developing countries may be eligible to receive financial assistance to pursue graduate studies in Canada.
For further information, contact the Canadian embassy in your country or: Canadian Bureau of International Education, 1100-220 Laurier West, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 5Z9 Telephone: (613) 237-4820 Fax: (613) 237-1073 E-mail: info@cbie.ca Web: www.cbie.ca
Rotary Foundation International Scholarship
If there is a Rotary Club in your country of citizenship, you may apply for a Rotary Foundation Scholarship which covers academic fees, return travel and a personal maintenance allowance.
Contact your local Rotary Club or: The Rotary Foundation, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A. 60201
Other Funding Sources
Teaching Assistantships
Some departments hire teaching assistants who spend up to 10 hours a week conducting tutorials, grading undergraduate essays/exams and acting as a resource for undergraduate students. Teaching assistants were paid $30.03/$33.26/hour in 2005-06. For further information, write the chair of your graduate department, giving full particulars of your academic training and experience.
Research Assistantships
Research assistants normally work with a faculty member, assisting with research projects. Apply directly to the department chair concerned.
Tuition Fees
You can view the tuition (academic) fees approved for 2006-07 and 2007-2008 (arts and science deregulated fees only) on the website of the Vice-President and Provost.
Further Information
Fellowships and Loans Office
School of Graduate Studies
University of Toronto
63 St. George Street, Rm.202
Toronto, Canada, M5S 2Z9
Telephone: (416) 978-2379 Fax: (416) 978-4367
E-mail: graduate.awards@utoronto.ca or gradschool@utoronto.ca