Canada University of Toronto Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

The University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies describes the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) as a program that encourages excellence in graduate studies at publicly-assisted universities in Ontario. The program at U of T is jointly funded by the Province of Ontario and the University of Toronto, with the Province allocating OGS awards to universities specifying the number of awards each may offer to students annually.

The scholarship is for applicants in doctoral and Master’s levels. The University of Toronto states that eligibility is tied to an eligible program defined as a full-time program of study of two or three terms at the University of Toronto leading to a graduate degree. It also describes eligibility for domestic status and for international students under a temporary resident visa (student study permit) in a set number of OGS awards.

The University of Toronto describes selection using criteria previously used by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities panel members and updated by the SGS Awards Committee. It provides suggested evaluation criteria weighted across relevant experience and achievements (up to 40%), Plan of Study (up to 30%), and Academic Assessment Reports (up to 30%, split as 15% for each letter). It also notes graduate units may use similar or additional criteria and that applicants must check with their graduate unit.

The University of Toronto states that each OGS award is tenable for one year, which corresponds to two consecutive or three academic sessions. The value is $5,000 per session, with possible totals of $10,000 for two consecutive sessions or $15,000 for three consecutive sessions. To hold the award, recipients must remain enrolled full-time in an eligible program and meet Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) standing requirements; those who do not complete a session, complete degree requirements before the end of the award, or fail to complete the full session are required to repay funds received for the incomplete session.

• Be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) by the student deadline as determined by each graduate unit;
• International students: be studying or plan to study at the University of Toronto under a temporary resident visa (student study permit) and be eligible for a set number of OGS awards; valid study permits must be effective as of the graduate unit’s OGS international application deadline;
• Be registered or intend to register in an eligible program on a full-time basis for the stated academic period;
• An eligible program is defined as a full-time program of study of two or three terms at the University of Toronto leading to a graduate degree;
• A full-time student is one who is in at least 60% of a full course load (40% for students with a permanent disability) or as defined by their institution;
• Have not exceeded the lifetime maximum of government-funded support or maximum OGS/QEII support available for their current level of study (see Maximum Support);
• Have achieved at least A- (or equivalent) in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent); or if the student has completed two years or more of graduate studies at the time of application, demonstrate an overall average of at least A- (or equivalent) on all graduate courses completed;
• At the graduate unit’s discretion, exceptions may be made for highly meritorious applicants who are below the required GPA minimum, including examples such as documented medical issues or family care responsibilities, alternative career paths, or mature students with professional experience;
• If marks used for calculating GPA are not available (e.g., pass-fail grading), then the next most recent available undergraduate or graduate marks should be used to determine eligibility;
• To hold an OGS award: must register and remain enrolled as a full-time student at U of T in an eligible program at the graduate unit from which the OGS was awarded;
• To hold an OGS award: who withdraw, transfer to part-time status, complete degree requirements prior to the end of their award, or fail to complete the full session will be required to repay the funds received for the incomplete session;
• To hold an OGS award: must be in good standing with OSAP; applicants who defaulted on a Canada or Ontario Student Loan, or failed to make satisfactory repayment on a loan overpayment, are ineligible; those with an OSAP restriction may still apply but, if awarded, must have the restriction cleared within 30 days of notification in order to accept and hold the award;
• To hold an OGS award: may accept research assistantships, part-time teaching positions, or other paid employment that does not affect full-time graduate student status and is commensurate with graduate unit policies; typically, students holding full-time paid employment are not eligible to receive an OGS from the University of Toronto;
• To hold an OGS award: cannot hold an OGS award in the same session (overlapping) or in the same award year as a scholarship from SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, QEII-GSST, or another OGS;
• Enrolled in a postgraduate MD training program and simultaneously registered in a full-time doctoral graduate program may hold other awards that, together with the OGS or QEII-GSST award, do not exceed the current level of funding for clinical training provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health;
• Master’s students: maximum of two years of OGS/QEII-GSST awards; Doctoral students: maximum of four years of OGS/QEII awards; both are subject to a lifetime maximum of six years per student; and a lifetime maximum of six years of government-funded awards, with prohibition on holding an OGS and another government-funded award concurrently.

• Scholarship value: $5,000 per session.
• Potential totals: $10,000 for two consecutive sessions or $15,000 for three consecutive sessions.
• Duration: each scholarship is tenable for one year (two consecutive or three academic sessions).
• Funding contribution stated: the awarding graduate unit contributes to one-third of the cost of the total award received by students.

1. Applicants must submit an OGS application to their proposed graduate unit using the U of T School of Graduate Studies centralized online OGS application.

• Transcripts.