Financial Awards

Financial Support

Tuition fees and other expenses related to attending university can often be overwhelming, especially for those who have been students for a number of years. The GSA has different ways to offer you financial support as a way to lessen the stress – through bursaries, complementary funding and conference assistantships.

Deadlines At-A-Glance

Ontario Student Award (application form)

All full-time graduate students who are classified as Ontario residents are eligible to apply for this $500 bursary. There are six bursaries in total awarded once a year. The Ontario Student Award (OSA) is funded in partnership with the Ontario government’s Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund program. Complete the application, available at the GSA office or on the website, and attach a short summary of your extra-curricular activities within and outside the University. Return the completed application to the GSA office by the January 31st. Successful applicant(s) will usually be informed of the Committee’s decision by mid-February. For more information, contact the GSA office.

Ray Owens Award (application form)

All full-time graduate students who are Canadian residents are eligible to apply for this $500 bursary (although, owing to the existence of the OSB, priority will be given to non-Ontario residents). There are four bursaries in total awarded once a year. The Ray Owens Bursary is awarded in memory of Ray Owens, a founding member of the Graduate Students’ Association. Complete the application, available at the GSA office or on the website, and attach a short summary of your extra-curricular activities within and outside the University. Return the completed application to the GSA office by the January 31st. Successful applicant(s) will usually be informed of the Committee’s decision by mid-February. For more information, contact the GSA office.

International Student Award (application form)

All full-time graduate students who are international students (on study visas, not exchange students) are eligible to apply for this $1000 bursary. There are three bursaries in total, each awarded once a year. Complete the application, available at the GSA office or on our website, and attach a short summary of your extra-curricular activities within and outside the University. Return the completed application to the GSA office by the January 31st. Successful applicant(s) will usually be informed of the Committee’s decision by mid-February. For more information, contact the GSA office.

Externship Assistance (application form)

If you are a full-time graduate student and plan on pursuing academic research and/or work terms external to the University, you may be eligible for this bursary.  A minimum of $100 will be awarded to each successful applicant, but individual assistance will not typically exceed $500. In order to apply, pick up an application from the GSA office or download it from the website. Prepare a formal proposal outlining the goals and objectives of the externship (maximum one page), as well as a budget. Return the completed application to the GSA office by the January 31st. You must also include a letter from your advisor or Departmental Chair confirming your participation in this externship. 

This externship fund is considered a “final source” of funding. Additional funding sources must have been sought before applying to the GSA. For more information, contact the GSA office. Externship recipients may be asked to submit an article based on their research findings to be published in the Gradvocate (the graduate student newsletter).

Professional Development Award (application form)

Graduate programs at WLU are comprehensive in terms of the academic course load they deliver. However, they do not necessarily provide professionalization opportunities. Full-time graduate students wishing to augment their skills by enrolling in development programs (such as skills workshops or language courses) can apply for the Professional Development Fund. Students can apply for up to $500 by filling out the form available on the website. Return the completed application to the GSA office by the January 31st or July 31st. Successful applicant(s) will be informed of the Committee’s decision by mid-March and mid-September. For more information, contact the GSA office.

Assistance for Students Attending Conferences (ASAC) (application form)

This Assistance for Students Attending Conferences is available to full-time graduate students only. Students are eligible for support to a maximum of $100 for attending a conference, $200 for giving a poster presentation, or $300 for giving an oral presentation. Actual financial support depends on submitted expenses, relevance of the conference to research work and field of study, and the number of applicants. Applications for this funding must be made after attending the conference. Application forms can be picked up at the GSA office or downloaded from the website. You must include expense receipts (photocopies are accepted) and an explanation of these expenses with your application. Full details are available on the application form. Application deadlines are as follows:

• November 1 for conferences attended between May 1 and August 31
• March 1 for conferences attended between September 1 and December 31
• July 1 for conferences attended between January 1 and April 30

ASAC is a “last resort funding account” as applicants are expected to have applied to their department, and to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for financial support before applying to the GSA. Please note: You must apply for funding from Grad Studies before you attend the conference. For more information, contact the GSA office.

Assistance for Students Attending Distant Conferences (ASADC) (application form)

This Assistance for Students Attending Distant Conferences is available to full-time graduate students only. Students presenting at conferences farther than 800km from Waterloo are eligible for up to $500 support. Actual financial support depends on submitted expenses, relevance of the conference to research work and field of study, and the number of applicants. Applications for this funding must be made after attending the conference. Application forms can be picked up at the GSA office or downloaded from the website. You must include expense receipts (photocopies are accepted) and an explanation of these expenses with your application. Full details are available on the application form. Return the completed application to the GSA office by the January 31st or July 31st.  Successful applicant(s) will be informed of the Committee’s decision by mid-March and mid-September

ASADC is a “last resort funding account” as applicants are expected to have applied to their department, and to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for financial support before applying to the GSA. Please note: You must apply for funding from Grad Studies before you attend the conference. All applications and supporting documents must be received at the GSA office by 4:00pm on the respective deadline. For more information, contact the GSA office.