The University recognizes that graduate students are critical to the University's missions of teaching and research and strives to acknowledge this through minimum funding levels in research programs.
Doctoral programs
The University’s PhD programs require a significant time commitment and play an important role in advancing Waterloo’s research mission. To support students in their research contributions, the University maintains a minimum level of funding for full-time PhD students who are within their program time limits and in good academic standing.
What is the minimum funding for students in a doctoral (PhD) program?
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The minimum funding for doctoral students in good academic standing is $28,351 per year, effective May 1, 2025 ($27,130 per year from May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025).
- This commitment applies to the first four years of full-time enrolment in a doctoral program.
- Many of Waterloo’s departments and schools offer minimum funding which exceeds the university’s minimum.
- For international graduate students registered in a full-time doctoral program who are eligible for the International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA), the IDSA is not included in the calculation of minimum funding.
- Any annual increase applies to both new (incoming) and current eligible doctoral students.
Research-based master’s programs
Full-time students in research-based master’s programs typically receive financial support while within their program time limits. While funding practices vary by faculty, this support recognizes the important contributions that research-based master’s students make to the University’s research mission.
What is the minimum funding for master's students in research programs?
Waterloo’s guideline for recommended minimum funding for students registered in the first year of a research-based master’s program is $12,000. This guideline applies to the first year only (up to cumulative term 3.0) of full-time* enrolment for students in good academic standing.
Note: students enrolled in a master’s program without a research component (e.g., course-based) do not typically receive financial support from their program.
*Students who are on reduced academic load as a stipulation of verified accommodation through AccessAbility Services will develop an individual funding plan collaboratively with their supervisor, department/school, Faculty and Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, with support from AccessAbility Services advisors (Regulation 15.2 - Funding and support for students with disabilities).
How is funding reviewed and approved?
Each year, the Graduate Student Support Advisory Committee reviews changes to students' costs and makes a recommendation for new funding levels.
Minimum funding amounts are intended to provide a base level of financial support but may not cover all living expenses. Students are encouraged to plan their budgets carefully and consider additional funding sources to meet their financial needs.
What are the sources of minimum funding?
Minimum funding for doctoral students, and master’s students if applicable, is provided from a variety of sources, including:
- UWaterloo awards and funding
- Graduate Research Studentships
- Graduate Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Graduate Research Assistantships (RA)
- External awards
Note: Minimum funding levels are inclusive of vacation pay and benefits as well as any external funding the student should receive.
Students who are awarded external funding (e.g., tri-agency scholarship) typically receive higher overall funding, though some internal funding may be adjusted. As minimum funding is composed of multiple sources, financial support may not be distributed evenly throughout the year. Students should review their funding details with their department to understand term-specific amounts and plan accordingly.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (TA), Graduate Research Assistantships (RA), and sessional teaching appointments at the University of Waterloo are considered employment income and are subject to statutory deductions for income tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions, and Employment Insurance (EI) premiums. As such, the net “take home” pay will be affected by these deductions.
| Faculty of Arts example from Winter 2025 based on 140 hours | |
|---|---|
| TA assignment (gross pay) | $6,715.80 |
| Add 4% vacation pay | $268.63 |
| Total | $6,984.43 |
| Subtract 15% mandatory government payroll deductions/income tax | $(1,047.66) |
| Estimated net pay | $5,936.76 (amount used for promissory note) |