Minimum Funding
All full-time students in the MASc and PhD programs are guaranteed a minimum level of funding while they are within their program time limits and in good academic standing. You will use this to pay your tuition and then the rest, if applicable, will be deposited into your bank account.
| Plan | Duration | Amount (Per year) |
|---|---|---|
| PhD (from a complete Master’s) | 12 terms (4 years) | $30,000* |
| PhD (directly from a Bachelor's) | 15 terms (5 years) | $30,000* |
| MASc | 6 terms (2 years) | $18,000 |
| MEng/ MMSc/ MBET/ MARch | No guaranteed funding | |
| *May increase in the future. | ||
Minimum funding for doctoral students is reviewed annually by the Graduate Student Support Advisory Committee. Explore the annual review process.
Additional to the minimum funding
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (TA) & Graduate Research Assistanships (RA)
TA’s and RA’s are paid monthly and the salaries are on top of the minimum funding. Graduate Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Graduate Research Assistantships (RA) are available to selected students and are paid on top of any awards and scholarships they are already receiving.
- Graduate teaching assistantships (TA) are positions held by qualified students to assist a faculty member with instructional responsibilities. TA’s perform various tasks such as teaching a class, marking papers, or holding drop-in sessions to support students in their learning.
- Graduate research assistantships (RA) are positions held by qualified students who are responsible for helping a faculty member with their research. The research duties of an RA are outside the scope of a student's research.
- If a student receives a TA or RA salary and a scholarship, the scholarship will be paid once during that term, but their salary is paid monthly at the end of each month. RA/TA salaries are taxed.
- If a student declines a TA or RA opportunity, it will not get replaced with a scholarship.
International Students Support
Explore the internal financial support provided by the University of Waterloo such as the International Doctoral Student Awards (IDSA) or the International Master's Awards of Excellence (IMAE) . Those are added on top of the minimum funding. Also, find the numerous international agreements and sponsorship programs with institutions abroad that could help you to finance tuition and living expenses.
Funding that replaces the minimum funding
Any funding that is considered a major award (over $15,000/year in value) replaces the minimum funding. Awards that replace the minimum funding include but are not limited to the Tri Agency Scholarships (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC), IBET Momentum Fellowship, Engineering Excellence master's and doctoral Fellowships, and the OGS-QEII (GSST).