Government Financial Aid

Full-time Students
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides need-based financial assistance to Ontario residents who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.  Students in course loads of sixty per cent or greater are considered for both federal and provincial interest-free student loans to assist with educational and living expenses.  The Ontario Student Opportunity Grant provides partial forgiveness of loans on an annual basis for students who have incurred large debt loads. 

Information concerning the eligibility and assessment criteria may be obtained from Admissions and Awards, University of Toronto (416-978-2190).  Applications and information are also available via the Internet at: osap.gov.on.ca.  It is rec­om­mend­ed that returning students apply for OSAP assistance as early as possible, and no later than May 31 and new students by June 30.  Students from other Canadian provinces should apply through their provincial financial aid authority.  Admissions and Awards can provide addresses and, in many cases, application forms.

Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Scholarship
This scholarship is designed to recognize students who have shown academic excellence at the high school level, and to assist students with financial need.  The value of the scholarship varies between $100 and $3,500 per academic year.  Eligibility is based on academic merit, and the size of the award depends on the cost of your tuition fees and your financial need as determined by OSAP.

Canada Millenium Bursary
This bursary is available for full-time students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.  To be considered, students must qualify for financial assistance in their province or territory.  Indicate your wish to be considered for this Bursary on your OSAP, or appropriate provincial/territorial loan application form.  For more information visit http://www.millenniumscholarships.ca.  Maximum amount $3,000.

University of Toronto Work-Study Plan
This program is funded by the university and the Ministry  of Training, Colleges and Universities  and provides on-campus, part-time employment to students with financial need. Information and ap­pli­ca­tions are available from Admissions and Awards. Work-Study po­si­tions are available within the Faculty for eligible can­di­dates. Inquire at the Faculty’s information services office.

Bursary for Students with Disabilities
Non-repayable assistance of up to $7000 is available from the federal and provincial governments for OSAP recipients who have special educational expenses as a result of a disability. Contact Admissions and Awards for more information.

University of Toronto Financial Aid

The National Scholarship Program
Information about the 2005 University of Toronto National Book Award and Scholarship Program is sent to all Canadian high schools in the spring of 2004.  Secondary schools are invited to nominate one student for the National Book Award.  Students who are se­lect­ed as National Book Award winners have the op­por­tu­ni­ty to submit an application to the National Scholarship Program.  In addition, students who identify themselves as meeting the schol­ar­ship criteria are also invited to apply directly for the National Scholarship.  Many, but not necessarily all, direct applicants will also receive the University of Toronto National Book Award.  On the basis of the application criteria, approximately 30 students are selected as finalists.  The finalists are invited to be guests of the University during the selection interviews which will be held in the spring of 2005.  Approximately 15 of the finalists will be identified as U of T National Scholars.  Those not des­ig­nat­ed as National Scholars will recieve an Arbor Scholarship.

The National Scholarship will cover tuition and incidental fees for four years and residence in first year, and will include an additional, renewable, monetary award.  The monetary award will range in value from $2,000 to $8,000 annually and will be determined on the basis of individual financial circumstances.

University of Toronto Scholars Program
This program recognizes outstanding University of Toronto students in any first degree course, both on admission and during their course of study.

The University’s Commitment

The University of Toronto is committed to the principle that students who are offered admission will have the financial support necessary to allow them to enter and complete their program.  The commitment is based on the assumption that Canadian citizens/permanent residents will first access the government aid for which they are eligible.  Financial need is assessed based on the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), because OSAP provides a uniform method of assessing student need.  For students who are assessed by OSAP (or by another Canadian provincial government fi­nan­cial aid program) as requiring maximum assistance, and whose assessed need is not fully covered by government aid, the university will ensure that the full need is met.

University of  Toronto Advance Planning for Students (UTAPS)
All full-time students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, in good academic standing and assessed by OSAP as requiring maximum assistance, and whose assessed need is not fully covered by government aid for the maximum OSAP or other government support will be automatically considered for this non-repayable grant.  Students receiving funding from another province/territory or a First Nations band are also eligible for consideration.  Students who do not meet the residence criteria for any province or territory should contact the Office of Admissions and Awards to discuss their residence history and financial situation in more detail with a counsellor.  Students may do a self assessment on-line to obtain an estimate of the level of assistance.  Full details on this program available at http://www.utaps.utoronto.ca/

Aid From Other Sources

Faculty of Physical Education and Health Bursaries
Needy students may obtain applications and information from the B.P.H.E. program office.   Applications must be submitted by November 1st.  Applications can be downloaded from the Office of Admissions and Awards website at www.adm.utoronto.ca/financial_aid.

Other Bursaries and Awards
A comprehensive list of other bursaries, recognition awards, and scholarships is available at www.adm.utoronto.ca/fa.

The U of  T Noah Meltz Program of Financial Assistance
This program provides grants to assist part-time undergraduate students who have financial need.  The program assists students who are ineligible to apply to the Ontario Student Assistance program (OSAP) because their course load is less the OSAP minimum of 60 %.  Applications are available from the Office of Admissions and Awards.

Ontario Special Bursary Plan
This program provides up to $2,500 per year (September to August) in non-repayable bursary assistance for students enrolled in less than 1.5 credits per term.  Students eligible for this program are those pursuing their first degree, receiving social assistance as a result of a disability or family situation and unable to study full-time for these reasons.  The program provides funding for educational costs only such as tuition fees, books, travel and babysitting.  There is limited budget for this provincial program.