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.
Funding review process
Recognizing the contributions that graduate students make to the university community through scholarship, research and teaching, Waterloo offers annual funding packages to eligible students with rates being reviewed annually by the Graduate Student Relations Committee. Funding packages are intended to help students pay for tuition and provide a baseline level of financial support; students must budget carefully and consider additional funding sources, as the offered funding package may not cover all living expenses.
Doctoral programs
The University’s PhD programs require 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 $29,145 per year, effective May 1, 2026 (up from $28,351 per year from May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026).
- This commitment applies to students enrolled full-time* in a doctoral program who are within program time limits; this will normally be the first four or five years (for example, up to cumulative term 12.0, 15.0 or 18.0), depending on whether the student was admitted to the doctoral program from a completed master’s degree or bachelor’s degree.
- Many of Waterloo’s departments and schools offer minimum funding that exceeds the university’s minimum. The average funding level, across all Waterloo doctoral programs, was $45,710 in 2024/25.
- International graduate students registered full-time in a doctoral program may be eligible for the International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA), which is intended to cover the difference between international and domestic tuition. This IDSA will be in addition to the minimum funding package.
- Any annual increase to the minimum funding amount applies to both new (incoming) and current eligible doctoral students.
*Students who are on a 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).
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 students in a research-based master's program?
- Waterloo’s recommended minimum funding for full-time* students in the first year of a research-based master’s program is $12,000. This applies only to students in good academic standing through cumulative term 3.0.
- Many master’s research programs offer funding above this recommended guideline. The average funding received, across all master’s research programs, was $20,206 in 2024/25.
Note: students enrolled in a master’s program without a research component (i.e., a course-based program) typically do not receive financial support from their program.
*Students who are on a 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).
Funding sources
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 (GTA) and Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)
- 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 (GTA), Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA), 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. These appointments are also governed by a collective agreement between CUPE 5524 and the University of Waterloo – visit the Graduate student unionization: Understanding the basics web page for more details.
| Faculty of Arts example from Spring 2026 based on 140 hours | |
|---|---|
| GTA assignment (gross pay) | $7,214.20 |
| Add 4% vacation pay | $288.57 |
| Total | $7,502.77 |
| Subtract 15% mandatory government payroll deductions/income tax | $(1,125.42) |
| Estimated net pay | $6,377.35 (amount used for promissory note) |