OISE Bursary Program
Introduction
The OISE Bursary Program offers non-repayable financial aid to full-time OISE students demonstrating financial need beyond what is covered by OSAP or their home province's student financial aid program. The bursary is intended to be a last-resort financial support option; it is for students who have exhausted all other avenues of financial assistance, including OSAP, other university grant programs, government assistance programs, personal savings and resources, financial institution loans, etc.
Most students are eligible to apply once per semester in the Fall and Winter semesters only. However, Master of Teaching and Master of Arts in Child Study and Education students can apply once per semester in the Fall, Winter and Summer.
Please read the website carefully before applying, and then scroll down to the bottom of the webpage to access the application portal.
Eligibility Requirements
You will receive funding if you apply and:
- Are currently registered as a full-time domestic student in a graduate degree program at OISE.
- Have applied for and been assessed for government student aid through your home province or territory for the session in which you are applying. For Indigenous students who do not apply for government financial aid, be receiving educational funding for Indigenous students.
- Eligible students applying for a bursary in the summer are expected to first apply for summer OSAP. For master's students, summer OSAP requires a separate application from the Fall/Winter.
- Have submitted a Need Navigator application to be considered for other university financial aid programs, before applying for this bursary. Expand the below section on Need Navigator to learn more.
- Are applying during an eligible session, per the application frequency section below.
- You demonstrate financial need through the application process.
Application Frequency
Full-time domestic students in the following programs are eligible to apply once per semester, in the Fall, Winter, and Summer terms:
- Master of Teaching (MT)
- Master of Arts in Child Study and Education (MA-CSE)
Full-time domestic students in the following programs are eligible to apply once per semester in the Fall and Winter semesters only:
- Master of Education (MEd)
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Doctor of Education (EdD)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Students who are ineligible for government student aid for reasons such as defaults on previous government loans, the under-reporting of previous income, disqualifying credit histories, or reaching maximum lifetime OSAP limits:
Students in this category should have a solid financial plan in place as the bursary program will not replace funds that OSAP and other University of Toronto grants otherwise might have provided.
Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine the level of support that is appropriate and feasible.
Please note: You must upload proof of OSAP ineligibility with your application. This can be a document, screenshot, or email from OSAP or your home province's student aid program stating that you are ineligible for assistance and the reason for the ineligibility.
International students are not eligible for support since they must demonstrate sufficient financial resources in order to be approved to study in Canada.
In very rare and exceptional circumstances, they may be considered for emergency assistance if their financial needs are urgent and the result of unanticipated circumstances recognized by the Bursary Program. If you are an international student experiencing an unforeseen financial emergency, please contact oise.financialaid@utoronto.ca.
Prior to applying for an OISE Bursary, you should submit a Need Navigator application to be considered for other University of Toronto grants, such as the UTAPS or PMFA program. A student can receive an OISE Bursary on top of receiving UTAPS or a PMFA if they still demonstrate financial need.
Both of the programs below utilize the same application platform - the Need Navigator. You will be considered for either the UTAPS or PMFA program depending on your program of study.
University of Toronto Advanced Planning for Students Program (UTAPS)
For full-time domestic PhD, EdD, or MA students who are receiving provincial/territorial government student aid. Visit to learn more about UTAPS and to apply through the Need Navigator.
OISE Professional Master's Financial Aid Grant (PMFA)
If you are a full-time domestic student in the MEd, MT, or MA-CSE program and are receiving provincial/territorial government student aid, apply for an OISE PMFA through the before applying for a Bursary.
OSAP or another provincial/territorial Canadian student aid program may assess a student as having an unmet financial need beyond the amount of funding they received. In this case, the OISE PMFA program provides non-repayable grants to full-time students in professional master鈥檚 programs (MEd, MT or MA-Child Study and Education) to help cover a portion of their calculated unmet financial need. To learn more about how the provincial government assesses student financial need, read Section 18. on financial need on .
Summer 2025 Application Period
The Summer 2025 OISE Bursary Application Portal will open on May 5, 2025 and close on June 13, 2025.
The Summer Bursary Program is only open to students currently registered in the Master of Teaching and Master of Arts in Child Study and Education programs. You must first apply for summer OSAP before you can be considered for an OISE Summer Bursary. Students in other programs may be allowed to apply in the summer if they are experiencing a financial emergency in accordance with the Financial Emergencies section below.
Students who are experiencing an immediate financial emergency caused by unforeseen circumstances may apply on an emergency basis past the standard application deadline. Please scroll down to the section on "Financial Emergencies" to learn more.
Application Process
Provincial Government Student Financial Aid
All applicants are required to first apply for financial aid through their home province鈥檚 student financial aid program. Students are expected to utilize the full amount of loans and grants available through their government aid program.
If you are an Ontario resident, visit to learn more about OSAP at the University of Toronto.
If you are an out-of-province student, visit to learn more about other provincial and territorial student aid programs in Canada.
Need Navigator
Students applying to the OISE Bursary Program are required to first submit a Need Navigator application to be considered for the UTAPS or PMFA Program.
The deadlines for the Need Navigator and the OISE Bursary Program are different. Please plan accordingly and submit your application through Need Navigator early. To check Need Navigator deadlines, visit
Note: You only need to submit one Need Navigator application per academic year. If you have already submitted a Need Navigator application for another need-based opportunity, you do not to need to re-apply again. The data from your application will be used to assess you for all need-based opportunities at OISE.
What is Need Navigator?
The Need Navigator is a centralized financial need application platform. The data collected from Need Navigator is used by the University Registrar's Office, individual faculties, and academic divisions to assess student financial need for various programs, such as UTAPS, the Professional Master's Financial Aid, and OISE need-based awards.
Carefully review all components of this webpage and then scroll down to access the OISE Bursary Portal to apply for an OISE Bursary.
You will be required to upload supporting documentation. Please have the following supporting documents ready:
- A screenshot of your funding summary from your OSAP online account is required. The screenshot should capture your name, the application period, and the total amount of loans and grants offered for the study period.
- Out-of-province students will need to upload a student loan assessment from their home province鈥檚 student aid program, showing the total amount of loans and grants offered to them for the study period.
- If you are ineligible for provincial government financial aid, you will be required to upload proof. This could be a screenshot or letter showing that your application was denied and the reasons for the denial.
- You must provide supporting documentation if you are claiming any additional allowable expenses. Please navigate to the additional allowable expenses section of the webpage to learn more about what kinds of expenses you can claim on the application. Do not report any other expenses other than the allowable expenses.
- You must provide supporting documentation for any government benefits, such as the Canada Child Benefit. A screenshot of the monthly benefit payment amount from your Canada Revenue Agency account is sufficient.
- If you have a student line of credit, you must report the available credit under the 鈥楻esources鈥 section of the application and upload a recent statement.
A thorough review, including a financial need assessment, will be conducted to determine your eligibility.
The OISE Bursary Program expects that all students have planned for their full-time graduate education. The purpose of the program is to supplement, not replace a student's resources. In general, students are expected to contribute towards their educational costs. The minimum contribution for the current academic year is $3,600.
After applying, the OISE Bursary Committee may reach out to you through the OISE Bursary Portal if they require additional information. Please keep an eye out for messages. It is the student鈥檚 responsibility to respond promptly and to provide the necessary details for the application to proceed. Failure to respond by the application deadline may result in the denial of the application.
Decisions and Payment
Decisions will be communicated via the OISE Bursary Portal after the application deadline for each term.
- For Fall term applications, expect a decision by the middle of November.
- For Winter term applications, expect a decision by the middle of March.
- For Summer term applications, expect a decision by late June.
Grant payments are normally applied to outstanding fees in students' ACORN accounts first. Thereafter, any remaining balance is refunded to the student via direct deposit to their personal Canadian bank account. If no banking information is available on ACORN, payment will be issued by cheque and sent by Canada Post to the personal mailing address listed on ACORN.
To avoid delays with receiving payment, please ensure direct deposit is set up and that your current mailing address on ACORN is not expired.
Successful applicants are expected to remain registered in the session the bursary is awarded. Students who cancel their registration in the same session that they receive a bursary may be required to return the bursary funds.
Financial Emergencies
Regardless of the program of study, registered students facing unexpected and urgent financial difficulties may be eligible for an Emergency Bursary. Compared to the standard OISE Bursary process, emergency applications may be expedited and applicants may also be permitted to apply after the standard application deadline. Applicants are still required to meet the standard eligibility criteria, which include full-time registration, demonstrated financial need, and use of the bursary as a last-resort option.
What is a Financial Emergency?
The OISE Emergency Bursary is intended to provide short-term relief for students facing an immediate financial crisis due to unforeseen circumstances. This bursary is not regular financial aid and cannot be used as an ongoing funding source or to cover shortages in other graduate funding options, such as government financial aid or student loans.
Emergency bursaries are not awarded to pay outstanding debts or obligations, such as unpaid tuition. All students are expected to begin each academic year with a financial budget that accounts for tuition and living costs. A student's inability to budget or secure employment does not qualify as grounds for an emergency bursary application.
Emergency applications are generally unavailable during September and the final two weeks of each semester. Applicants are expected to apply immediately after encountering an emergency.
Within this context, an emergency is an unanticipated expense or event that disrupts your planned budget and demands an immediate financial need to cover essential expenses. The unanticipated expense or event must meet the following criteria:
- It is recognized by the Bursary Program as an eligible expense or event for emergency support consideration.
- It disrupts your planned budget, which would otherwise have been adequate for the academic year, immediately resulting in serious and urgent financial need (e.g., inability to afford rent and/or other immediate necessary living expenses).
- It threatens your ability to continue in the current academic session, in which you are registered, are in good academic standing, and have made academic progress.
- Documentation can be provided for the emergency, such as original receipts or invoices for expenses.
Application Process
If you are applying within the standard application period, follow the same application procedures for a standard application by applying through the OISE Bursary Portal.
Provide a detailed statement to the Committee using the 'Additional Information Student Statement' section of the online application. In your statement, describe the following:
- Your budgeting plan for the academic year.
- The nature of the unforeseen expense or event which disrupted your budget.
- Your current financial status, i.e., how the disruption has resulted in a serious and urgent financial need (e.g., inability to afford basic living expenses).
After submitting your application and supporting documents, email the OISE Financial Aid & Awards Coordinator at oise.financialaid@utoronto.ca with the subject line 鈥淔inancial Emergency."
If you are experiencing a financial emergency outside of the standard application period, i.e., past the application deadline for a standard OISE Bursary and the application portal has closed, please email oise.financialaid@utoronto.ca with the subject line "Financial Emergency.鈥 In your email, describe the following:
- Your budgeting plan for the academic year.
- The nature of the unforeseen expense or event which disrupted your budget.
- Your current financial status, i.e., how the disruption has resulted in a serious and urgent financial need (e.g., inability to afford basic living expenses).
Please provide all relevant supporting documentation, such as receipts or invoices for expenses.
Additional Allowable Expenses
Claims for additional allowable expenses without valid supporting documentation will not be considered. If an applicant claims an additional allowable expense but does not upload documentation, the claim will be removed and will not be factored into the assessment.
The supporting documentation for any additional allowable expense is uploaded by the student in the online application process. Submitted documents must be relevant to the dates of the term that the student applies for a bursary. For example, an application for the Fall term should have documents dated during the period September - December.
Do not report any other kind of expenses, for example, applicants should not report general living expenses. These include tuition fees, books, rent, mortgage, utilities, insurance, maintenance fees, taxes, food, transportation, communication, household and personal supplies, recreation, clothing, and entertainment. These costs are automatically considered by the OISE Bursary Committee. A monthly allowable amount for living costs is assigned to every applicant based on their reported living arrangement. Please only report and claim the allowable expenses listed in the application, if applicable.
We allow expense claims of 50% of the monthly required interest payments on credit cards, consumer loans and personal loans to a combined maximum of $250.00/month. For example, if you pay $50 in interest fees per month on a credit card or student line of credit due to an outstanding balance, you should report $25 per month on your application. Note that this provision refers to monthly interest and NOT the monthly balance.
Supporting Documentation Required: Most recent credit card, loan, and/or line(s) of credit statements showing your name, the date, and the monthly interest charge.
For students with children who are residing with them in Canada, 12 years of age or younger, reasonable child/day care costs will be considered, provided that the student's partner is working. A maximum of $548 of child care costs per child per month can be considered.
Supporting Documentation Required: Documentation from your child care provider showing your name, the date, and cost of child/day care.
Please do not report other expenses, such as general living expenses for your child.
Because students are automatically covered by University of Toronto's student health plan, all eligible costs should first be claimed against that plan. However, we consider reasonable assistance for health care services provided by a regulated health care professional not covered by an insurance plan. A maximum of $1,500 per year for all professional/regulated services combined can be considered under this provision.
Supporting Documentation Required:
You must provide receipts from your professional healthcare provider showing your name, the date, description of the service/product received, and the amount billed. In addition, you must provide a claim statement from GreenShield (your student insurance provider) showing the amount not covered by insurance. If you have maxed out on your student insurance plan coverage, you must submit documentation from GreenShield showing that you have maxed out your coverage.
Professional healthcare receipts without an accompanying claim statement from GreenShield will not be accepted.
You can claim vehicle insurance costs up to a maximum of $200 per month. If your monthly premium exceeds $200 per month, then you should report $200 per month on your application.
Supporting Documentation Required: Most recent auto insurance policy document. The statement must show your name on the policy, the coverage/policy period, and the monthly or annual premium.
The primary purpose of this category is to allow applicants to claim unanticipated emergency expenses incurred during the academic study period. Supporting documents are required.
Do not report general living expenses in this category, such as tuition costs, academic supplies, rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance, maintenance fees, taxes, transportation costs, food, communication costs, household supplies, recreation and entertainment, clothing, etc.
If you are claiming an amount in this category, you must provide supporting documentation and an explanation of the charge, including how it was unanticipated. You can use the Additional Information: Student Statement section of the application to provide details. Claims in this category without accompanying documentation and an explanation will not be considered.
The OISE Bursary Program will not consider the following expenses on any standard or emergency application:
- Debts, such as income taxes and outstanding tuition fees.
- Obligations, such as court-imposed fines and payments.
- Vacations and gifts.
- Support for non-dependents, including expenses belonging to family or relatives.
Resources
Applicants must fully disclose their assets and income from all sources for the assessment period. This includes funds you have already spent earlier on in the assessment period. For example, a student applying in January for the Winter Bursary should disclose savings already spent during the Fall term and not only their savings at the time of application.
For both Fall and Winter term applications:
- Master's students must disclose their resources for the September - April period (8 months).
- Doctoral students must disclose their resources for the September - August period (12 months).
For Summer term applications, open to MT and MA-CSE students:
- Disclose your resources for the May - August period (4 months).
Examples of income and assets which must be disclosed for the assessment period include:
- Provincial/territorial student aid (e.g., OSAP) or educational funding for Indigenous students*
- Funds from other university grant programs, such as UTAPS or the PMFA
- Graduate funding package, fellowships, and assistantships*
- Available credit on a student line of credit from your financial institution*
- Internal and external awards and scholarships*
- Net employment income
- Government benefits*
- Gifts and financial support from family and friends
- Savings, investments, and RRSP
*You must provide supporting documents for the income and assets with an asterisk. For example:
- A screenshot of your funding summary or funding letter for provincial/territorial student aid.
- A funding letter for awards and funding packages.
- An award letter for any fellowships, scholarships, and awards.
- A statement of account for any government benefit.
- A recent student line of credit statement for financial institution loans.
Apply Now
Click on the application portal button below to access the OISE Bursary Application Portal. Please ensure you have thoroughly reviewed this website before submitting your application.
Common Error Messages
If you receive an error message (413 File Size Too Large) when trying to submit your application, it means the size of your documents uploaded cumulatively exceed the upload limit. To work around this, you may upload your files one at time, click on the save button after each upload, and then click on the edit button again to upload the next file. If this does not resolve the issue, please submit your application without supporting documents and then email your documents separately to oise.financialaid@utoronto.ca.
If you receive error message (403 Forbidden) when trying to apply, try accessing the portal in an incognito browser, Alternatively, clear the cache/cookies in your browser, as they could be causing the error. If you still receive this message, contact Education Commons through their online Zoom drop-in sessions for live troubleshooting assistance.
Technical Assistance
For technical issues with the portal, please contact Education Commons.
Application Criteria or Process Questions
For non-technical inquiries, please contact OISE's Office of Student Financial Support at oise.financialaid@utoronto.ca.