Financial need funding

OSAP provides various types of assistance based on financial need to eligible students. This assistance is intended to supplement, not to replace, the resources of students and their families. Although assistance is not based on academic standing, students are expected to make satisfactory progress in their studies.

Note: Students from provinces other than Ontario must apply for government student aid through their home provinces.

Detailed information including application forms and deadlines is available on the OSAP website or by visiting the Student Awards & Financial Aid (SAFA) Office website.

Limited funding is available in bursary support to full-time and part-time Waterloo graduate students who are Canadian or Permanent Residents of Canada and are experiencing short term financial need. These bursaries are meant to financially assist with basic needs and educational expenses only.

For further information regarding these bursary opportunities, please visit the Student Awards & Financial Aid (SAFA) website. 

Limited funding for up to eight months (two terms) is available to eligible students who take a parental leave (includes adoption). The bursary, together with any other continuing support, is intended to maintain income at about 95% of the average level of income received by the student during the three previous academic terms, less tuition.  The maximum value of the bursary is $5,000 for the first term and $3,000 for the second term. For further details or to apply visit the Graduate Student Parental Leave Bursary website. 

Limited funding is available to assist eligible research-based master’s and doctoral students who must go inactive for medical reasons (e.g., physical or mental health) may be eligible to receive a Graduate Student Medical Leave Award, valued at a maximum of $5,000. To initiate the process in order to automatically be considered for this award, students must complete a Change of enrolment status form and submit the appropriate documentation. For further information refer to the Graduate Medical Leave Award description in the Graduate funding and awards database.

Limited funding is available each term to provide short-term financial assistance to eligible international students. To be considered, students must complete a Graduate Student Contingency Bursary application (Graduate Studies forms website) by the advertised deadline (Note: requests to submit applications after the deadlines will not be considered).

Interest-free emergency loans are available to full-time graduate students who are experiencing short-term financial difficulty. These loans are not meant to provide funding for arranging fees to become registered. Loans must be re-paid by the end of the term, and proof of an acceptable form of repayment must be provided.

To be considered for an emergency loan please complete an Emergency Loan Application form and upload the required documents.

Initially announced on April 6, 2022 in response to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, the province reiterated its support through the continuation of the Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship. The provincial government is providing $1.9 million to continue supporting students attending Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges and universities. The purpose of these funds is to provide support to undergraduate and graduate students directly or indirectly impacted by the Ukrainian conflict or other conflicts.

Four scholarships will be awarded to students registered at Waterloo in the 2024-2025 academic year.

For full details and instructions on how to apply, please visit the application on The Centre's website. Applications and required supporting documentation (as outlined on the form) must be submitted by January 15, 2025. GSPA will begin reviewing applications after the deadline of January 15. Applicants will be notified of a decision within one month of the application deadline. 

These awards are based partially or solely on demonstrated financial need. Many of these awards were established through generous contributions from private donors.

Applicants must carefully review the award descriptions including eligibility criteria in the database and submit the appropriate application by the advertised deadline.

*Student and Financial Services (SAFA)