Funding Your Studies
There are many funding options for you here at OCAD U and externally. Here's what you need to know about getting funding:
- 2/3 applicants will receive funding from OCAD U to help offset tuition or living expenses.
- Funding packages are typically sent out alongside an offer of admission.
- If you don’t receive funding with your offer of admission, you can apply for scholarships and other funding opportunities during your studies.
To put yourself in the best position to receive funding apply to your program by our Priority Consideration for Funding Deadline in mid-January.
Read on for resources to help you get financially ready for your graduate degree.
All applicants to full-time programs can opt-in to consideration for internal entrance scholarships when they apply to graduate studies. Ranging from $1,000 to $18,750, these competitive scholarships are awarded to applicants with strong GPAs, professional/academic backgrounds, and research proposals.
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) scholarship is valued at $5,000 per academic term for either two or three consecutive terms.
- Deadline: January 15, 2025
- Eligibility: Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada, and protected persons
Application Process:
- Review the eligibility criteria here to determine if you are eligible to apply for an OGS award.
- Complete your OGS application through the OCAD University Application Portal by the deadline.
External scholarships, awards and grants require additional separate applications. Here are just a few external scholarships and resources you might be interested in:
- Canada Graduate Scholarships - Master's (CGS-M)
- Deadline: December 1, 2024
- Eligibility: Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada, and protected persons
- International students, check out the government of Canada resource page to see if there are scholarships for you!
- Scholarshipscanada.com – A database of internal and external scholarships available for students studying at Canadian schools.
Assistantships: These are paid opportunities that offer you a chance to build your resume through teaching or research activities at OCAD U. Assistantships usually range from $2,000 to $4,500 per appointment. You may be offered a position with your offer of admission, but you can always seek out and apply for others during your studies, which will be posted on our Employment Opportunities page.
Work-Study: OCAD U offers on-campus employment opportunities to students through the Institutional Work-Study Plan and Campus Employment Program for International Students. These programs provide eligible students with financial assistance through part-time paid employment on campus at OCAD U and an opportunity to gain and enhance skills while obtaining work experience.
Loans: Government programs like the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provide financial aid to students. Other Canadian provinces and territories also have their own student financial aid programs.
Bursaries: There are various bursary programs available to OCADU students generated through government, donations, endowments, tuition revenue or external agencies. More information can be found here.
The Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) provides aid to students self-identifying as having either permanent or temporary disabilities. This bursary assists with the costs of disability-related services or equipment, such as tutors, note-takers, interpreters, braillers or technical aids that are required to participate in post-secondary studies.
Project and Travel Grants: Project and travel grants of up to $2,000 per year are available to OCAD U graduate students to support their practice and research activities. An application is required.
Applications are due by December 1, 2023. Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada, and protected persons are eligible to apply.
