Graduate Student Contingency Bursary (PDF)
Applications and supplementary documents must be submitted to GSPA using the Graduate Student Bursary/Award Submission Form.
Use this form to:
- apply for a Graduate Student Contingency Bursary (previously known as the Millennium Graduate Bursary)
Graduate Students who are Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada and require financial assistance must apply for a bursary through the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office.
Value:
Varies but will be restricted to a maximum based on the student’s situation.
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must:
- be an international student registered full time in a graduate program
- normally be in term 4.0 or beyond of their academic program; students in the first term of their program are not eligible
- have demonstrated financial need resulting from extenuating circumstances: defined as events or situations that could not have reasonably been predicted or expected and/or were beyond the student’s control*, and that have occurred since starting their graduate program.
- provide written confirmation that they are seeking support elsewhere and identify how they are covering any shortfall; written confirmation must also include a concrete plan to explain how they will financially support themselves in future terms
*Bursaries are not guaranteed; because of limited funding available, reasons why a student received a bursary in the past does not guarantee they will receive a bursary for the same reason again.
Maximum number of bursaries:
- International students in a Master’s program (professional or non-professional) can receive a maximum of one bursary throughout their entire program.
- International students in a Doctoral program can receive a maximum of two bursaries throughout their entire program.
- As funding is limited, there is no guarantee that all applicants will be funded. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis each term, depending on available budget.
Application Deadlines:
- Fall term – September 15
- Winter term – January 15
- Spring term – May 15
Where the advertised deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline date will be the following Monday. Applications will be processed in date order as they are received. The application form will be closed following the advertised deadlines.
If an applicant does not qualify or is not approved for the Contingency Bursary or they have an emergency and the application form is closed, they may consider applying for an emergency loan (providing they have a concrete form of repayment), contact their department graduate coordinator and/or review the “Additional resources” section on the External awards page.
Notification:
Applicants will normally be notified of bursary decisions within one month of the deadline.