Funding and Financial Aid
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The YUGSA offers a variety of funding and support for our members that range from skills & academic development to bursaries & support funds. Most York University graduate students are eligible to apply for funding, however, certain funds are reserved for certain groups (i.e. international student bursary, dependent bursary, etc…).
The eligible candidates for this bursary shall be YUGSA members (both full/part-time registered graduate students). Proof of registration will be required. Schulich School of Business & Osgoode Law Hall graduate students may not be eligible to apply for funds/bursaries, as per their respective associate agreements.
Importantly, decisions regarding the funds/bursaries (i.e. budget allocations, language, etc…) are made by the YUGSA Executive Board, and approved at the YUGSA Council meeting. All York University graduate students are welcome to convene at council meetings to weigh-in on the allocation of funding for graduate students — and your input is absolutely welcome!
Please take the time to review the following for each fund/bursary before submitting your application(s):
Eligibility Criteria
Deadlines
Guidelines & Conditions
Please note that students may only apply for any funds and/or bursaries once per academic term.
If you have questions or comments about the eligibility criteria, deadlines, and/or the guidelines and conditions for the funds and bursaries, please contact info@yugsa.ca for more details.
If you would like to propose suggestions and/or have concerns regarding the language used to describe the eligibility criteria, deadlines, and/or guidelines and conditions for the funds/bursaries, do not hesitate to contact internal@yugsa.ca.
Academic Funds
These include the Conference Support Fund, Thesis Support Fund, and Skills Development Fund. Applicants are eligible for funding from only one of these funds per year. These funds should not be considered a primary source of funding, as the amount of funding allocated may vary based on the volume of applications in a given term.
Students may only apply for this fund once per academic term.
Conference Support Fund
Deadlines: August 1st, December 1st, April 1st
This fund is for students presenting at a conference, and is intended to help cover costs affiliated with attending the conference as a presenter (i.e. travel costs, administrative costs, etc…). This fund is not for students who are only attending conferences and it is not meant to be a primary source of funding for conferences.
YUGSA may require proof that you are presenting (i.e. invitation to present, etc…) at the conference, and may contact the conference organizer to confirm your role in the conference.
Students may only apply for this fund once per academic term.
Thesis Support Fund
This fund is designed to help cover the costs involved in producing thesis or major papers. Expenses covered under this fund include the costs of supplies, materials, and services expended on the project (i.e. printing costs, research-related travel costs, research-related licensed software, etc…). Purchases of reusable/resalable items such as computers, books, and journals will not be covered.
YUGSA may require Proof of Purchase (i.e. receipts…) before remunerating funds from this funding stream.
Students may only apply for this fund once per academic term.
Publication Support Fund
Deadlines: August 1st, December 1st, April 1st
This fund supports the intellectual and artistic work of graduate students and the publications with which they are involved in the hopes of generating discussion and dialogue (i.e. printing costs, speaker fees, etc…). Publications must meet the equity mandate of the YUGSA. Only one application per publication per funding period is eligible. Applications must be submitted to the VP-Finance to be seen at Council.
Students may only apply for this fund once per academic term.
Skills Development Support
Deadlines: August 1st, December 1st, April 1st
This fund supports projects that help students develop skills in relation to their program of study. It is intended for practical, skills-based training programs not offered at York (i.e. active bystander training, activist/organiser training, etc…).
YUGSA may require Proof of Purchase (i.e. receipts…) prior to remunerating funds from this funding stream.
Students may only apply for this fund once per academic term.
Bursaries & Support Funds
Student Hardship Fund
Deadline: August 1st, December 1st, April 1st
YUGSA acknowledges the significant financial challenges faced by many of our members amidst the ongoing CUPE3903 strike, leading to intensified social and mental burdens as they strive to pursue their graduate degrees. In response to this critical situation, YUGSA has established a Hardship Fund aimed at supporting affected members who have encountered unforeseen financial difficulties. The fund is designed to assist as many members as possible during this challenging period. Eligible circumstances for applying to the Hardship Fund are prioritized but are not limited to, students on the picket lines and the 8th line, facing job loss, and urgent financial needs. Please make sure to read the instructions carefully.
This bursary should not be considered a primary source of funding to cover the cost of hardship-related expenses — the amount of funding allocated may vary based on the volume of applications in a given term. Please note that M.A. Schulich students and Osgoode Law students are ineligible applicants for the student hardship fund per their associate agreement. Please direct questions to finance@yugsa.ca.
For urgent and/or emergency fund applications (i.e. imminent displacement/homelessness, physical and/or mental injury, etc…), please contact info@yugsa.ca immediately.
Guidelines:
1. The eligible candidates for this bursary must be YUGSA members (both full/part-time registered graduate students). Proof of registration will be required.
2. The fund will be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis.
3. The fund is prioritized but not limited to, students on the picket lines and the 8th line, facing job loss, and urgent financial needs.
4. Please keep in mind this is a limited fund, and thus, to ensure the fund reaches as many members as possible we will be imposing an application deadline of April 14th.
5. A short statement of financial need (200 - 500 words) will be required to adjudicate the funds.
6. The maximum amount that each eligible applicant can receive is $150.00. The final amount awarded to each applicant is subject to the total number of applicants and the total amount of funding available.
7. Please direct questions regarding funding to finance@yugsa.ca.
8. First-time applicants will be given preference.
Dependent Bursary
Deadlines: August 1st, December 1st, April 1st
The Dependent Bursary is available to members who are primary caregivers to help them attain their academic and professional goals. Eligible members can apply for this bursary once per academic term. First-time applicants will be privileged. Up to $300 per term is available. The final amount is determined by the total number of applicants.
International Student Bursary
Deadlines: August 1st, December 1st, April 1st
The International Student Bursary is available to provide some additional financial support to international graduate students who face higher tuition fees and are not able to access many of the funding sources, job opportunities, medical facilities and social networks that local students can access for support. Students may apply for the bursary once each year. Up to $300 is available, although the final amount is determined by the total number of applicants.
The YUGSA recognizes the extensive financial, social and mental burdens that international graduate students have to deal with once they commence their graduate studies. Moreover, we recognize their immeasurable contribution to graduate student life on campus, in Toronto and in Canada as a whole. Unfortunately, while they pay almost double what Canadian students pay, they are not privy to a majority of the sources of funding, job opportunities, medical facilities and social networks that local students are able to participate in.
For these reasons, as part of our mandate, in a bid to offer some support to these graduate students while recognizing that there are broader goals of reducing international tuition fees and facilitating a greater and accountable support network for these students which we need to work towards, the GSA established an international student bursary in October 2012. The goal of this bursary is to provide some additional financial support to these students, who face significant barriers, in order to help them achieve their academic, social and professional goals.
Donations
Donation Request
On the basis of budgetary allowances, funds or materials may be available to student groups to help with expenses of events, projects, or activities related to the well-being of graduate students and community members. Conferences, film screenings, and lectures are examples of the previously funded projects. Direct expenses are defined as the cost of supplies, materials, and services expended on the project.
All events, projects, or activities must uphold the equity mandate of the YUGSA. Donation Requests are seen at Council. Council meets on the third Thursday of every month. Please submit forms ahead of time to finance@yugsa.ca. For more details, see the form below.
Community Outreach Support Program (COSP)
This fund supports the volunteer work of graduate students and community organisations at York and in surrounding area communities. Only one application per organisation per fiscal year is eligible. Community organisations may apply for a maximum of $2000.
All events, projects, or activities must uphold the equity mandate of the YUGSA. Donation Requests are seen at Council. Council meets on the third Thursday of every month. Please submit forms ahead of time to finance@yugsa.ca. For more details, see the form below.