Bursaries and loans are available to graduate students who are registered full time, have satisfactory progress in their program, and have proven financial need. Students will need to complete a financial needs assessment to prove their level of financial need.
OSAP Assistance
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is available to Canadians and permanent residents. OSAP funding is made up of loans and grants and one online application will get you consideration for all OSAP grants and loans.
The amount of funding is determined by the financial resources you list on your application such as salaries from a TA or RA position, scholarships, and other sources of income. OSAP assistance is managed by Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA) office. For further information regarding OSAP assistance, please visit the SAFA website.
Graduate student bursaries
In the Faculty of Engineering, bursaries are administered by the GSPA office. However, some bursaries that are open to all programs are managed by Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA). Students are expected to have applied and qualified for OSAP assistance or assistance through their home province to be eligible for the following bursaries.
Faculty of Engineering bursaries
Hira and Kamal Ahuja Graduate Engineering Award
This award is available annually for domestic graduate students registered full time in a Master’s or Doctoral program in the Faculty of Engineering. The value of this award is $6,000 and may change from year to year. Students are not automatically considered and must complete an application to receive this bursary award. Refer to the bursary details for more information
Inch Engineering Research Award
This award provides financial assistance to a female graduate students registered full time in a master's or doctoral program in the Faculty of Engineering. The value of this award is $4,500 and may change from year to year. Students are not automatically considered and must complete an application to receive this bursary award. Graduate students must have a minimum 80% cumulative average and proven financial need to be eligible for this award. Refer to the award details for more information.
Catherine Booth and Michael Kirk Graduate Award
This award is valued at $1,500 will be provided annually to a graduate student registered full time in a course-based master's program in the Department of Management Sciences in the Faculty of Engineering. Students must submit an application to demonstrate their financial need. Refer to the award details for more information.
Other bursaries
Graduate Student Parental Leave Bursary
Graduate students who become parents through birth or adoption may take up to five terms of uninterrupted parental leave during the first 20 months of birth or adoption. This bursary is available to support eligible students for up to two terms. The value of the bursary is based on the student's previous income to a maximum value of $8,000. Refer to the bursary details for more information.
Graduate Daycare Bursary
The Graduate Daycare Bursary is available to assist eligible students with day care expenses. The value of this bursary is based on a student’s income, expenses, and the number of children requiring day care services. Refer to the bursary details for more information.
Graduate Student Medical Leave Award
This award is eligible for full time students registered in a research-based masters or doctoral program who need to change their registration status to inactive for medical reasons. The student must have been registered full-time for at least one academic term and have been in receipt of a financial package from their department or school in the Faculty of Engineering. This is a one-time award valued at a maximum of $5,000. Refer to the award details for more information.
Emergency Loans
An interest free loan is available to registered students to provide emergency financial support while awaiting another source of income such as a scholarship, TA or TA payment, or a loan. The emergency loan can be used for expenses such as rent, groceries, and utilities. However, the loan may not be used to cover tuition costs. The value of the loan depends on the student's situation and method of repayment. Refer to the loan details for more information.
Graduate Student Contingency Bursary
This bursary provides financial assistance to full-time international graduate students who have experienced extenuating circumstances during their studies at Waterloo University and as a result, have unexpected financial needs. The value of this award varies based on the student's situation. International students must submit an application to show evidence of the extenuating circumstances that have occurred and demonstrate their financial need on their application. Refer to the award details for more information.