Student Financial Assistance
All students are strongly encouraged to apply for any external awards for which they are eligible, below is a list of other types of financial assistance available through several offices at the University.
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
OSAP provides assistance to Ontario residents who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents (non-residents of Ontario are eligible for Canada Student Loans through their home province). Students in course loads of sixty per cent or greater are considered for both federal and provincial interest-free loans. The Ontario Student Opportunity Grant provides partial loan forgiveness on an annual basis for students who have incurred large debt loads. OSAP applications are available on the Web: http://osap.gov.on.ca/. Please refer to the Admissions and Awards financial assistance web page for more information regarding financial planning and assistance.
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) assesses the amount of assistance by using the following formula: Educational expense - contribution of student/family =financial need.
The University's Admissions and awards website has a self assessment page which can assist in estimating and planning the costs of graduate education. The assessment is based on current OSAP policies and educational costs at the University of Toronto, and is intended to help budget for university expenses. Actual OSAP entitlements may be different It can be found at http://www.adm.utoronto.ca/adm-awards/html/financial aid/utaps_ext/default.htm .
The University of Toronto Advanced Planning for Students (UTAPS)
For students assessed by OSAP (or by another provincial government financial aid program) as requiring maximum assistance, and whose assessed need is not fully covered by government aid, the university will try to ensure the full need is met. For students in doctoral-stream graduate programs the additional assistance is a non-repayable grant. For students in graduate professional programs the additional assistance may be a mix of grant and loan. For more information go to http://www.adm.utoronto.ca/adm-awards/html/financial aid/utaps_ext/utaps_info.htm or contact Admissions and Awards, 315 Bloor St. W., (416) 978-2190.
Graduate Students' Emergency Loan Fund
This fund has been established in the School of Graduate Studies to assist full-time students to meet financial problems which could not have been anticipated. Full information is available from the Fellowships and Loans Office, 63 St. George Street.
University of Toronto Work-Study Program
The University of Toronto Work-Study Program provides opportunities for eligible students to be employed part-time on campus from September to March. These jobs are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. You must first qualify for government assistance (though you do not necessarily have to accept the loan you are awarded) and be in 60 per cent of a full course load or more (usually three courses or more). Positions are posted at the Career Centre. The program opens each year in early September. More complete information is available at http://www.adm.utoronto.ca/adm-awards/html/financial aid/workstudy.htm
University of Toronto Bursary Assistance
University of Toronto Bursary Assistance is available to full-time graduate students on the basis of need. Special or part-time students are not eligible. Funding is limited and is specifically for emergencies arising from unforeseen circumstances. First year students are normally not eligible for consideration. Students with scholarship support or who are eligible for OSAP are normally not eligible for bursary funding. Application is through the departmental graduate coordinator.
Fee Deferrals
Students may temporarily defer payment of fees if they receive one of the following:
OSAP - fees can be deferred at SGS (with the exception of Management, OISE/UT, Social Work, and Information Studies who defer fees at their own department) when you present a Notice of Assessment covering at least the minimum first payment.
University of Toronto Fellowships, OGS, OGSST, NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, Connaught, Mary Beatty - fees can be deferred at departments.
US Loans - fees can be deferred at Admissions and Awards.
Financial Counseling
Inherent in the university's expectations of graduate students is financial planning that requires students to take stock of their financial resources and estimated expenditures. To assist students in this process, SGS offers financial counselling with the Financial Support Counsellor regarding budgeting, sources of funding, and eligibility for bursaries, etc.
Students should schedule an appointment with the Financial Support Counselor directly. Counseling is available 10:00am - 4:00 Monday to Friday (if this time is not suitable, alternate arrangements can be made).
Financial Counseling at the School of Graduate Studies
Email: graduate.awards@utoronto.ca Phone: (416) 946-0808
Recommended preparation includes a statement of projected income and expenditure. The Counsellor will go over the budget and offer suggestions and may also direct the student to funding sources s/he may not be aware of or may not have yet accessed.