CRS Bursary for Refugee Students

What you will need

• ✓ Complete the online application via the York University awards and scholarships portal
• ✓ Upload a Notice of Decision letter from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – the government department that handles visas and refugee claims) stating a pending refugee claim or a pending claim for permanent residence under humanitarian and compassionate grounds
• ✓ Alternatively, upload an official notice confirming your Convention Refugee or Protected Person status (if you have refugee or protected-person status in Canada)

About this award

You can receive a $1,500 bursary. As a bursary, this money is yours to keep — there is nothing to repay. There is a minimum of 1 award given per year. This is for you if you are an undergraduate student at York University who is navigating the immigration system as an asylum seeker or refugee and needs financial help with your studies. You must apply by November 15, 2026. When you apply, ask York University – Centre for Refugee Studies (CRS) how and when you'll hear back – whether it is by email, phone, or through the student portal. Selection criteria aren't published – ask York University – Centre for Refugee Studies (CRS) how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask York University – Centre for Refugee Studies (CRS) during your application how the money will reach you – some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed – if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with York University – Centre for Refugee Studies (CRS) whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be an entering or continuing undergraduate student at York University in any field of study. This award targets students who do not have an immigration status in Canada, specifically those who are asylum seekers, those in the process of making a refugee claim, or those applying for permanent residence status under humanitarian and compassionate grounds. You must also show that you have a demonstrated financial need. If there are no eligible applicants without status in a given year, the award may be given to a refugee student who has Convention Refugee or Protected Person status (if you have refugee or protected-person status in Canada).

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Refugee or protected person
• ✓ Open to undergraduate students

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

3. 3

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• Financial NeedAvoid providing vague statements about your costs. Instead, give a clear breakdown of your monthly expenses and income gaps. List your specific tuition and housing costs to prove your financial need.
• SupportAvoid submitting documents that are outdated or unofficial. Instead, ensure your IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – the government department that handles visas and refugee claims) letters are the most recent versions. Double-check that the Notice of Decision is legible and complete.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the last minute to navigate the FAAS portal (York's online portal for student funding). Instead, log in early to ensure your immigration status is correctly flagged in the system. This ensures the award appears as an option for you.
• RealismAvoid assuming this is the only source of help. Instead, use the keyword "refugee" in the York University scholarship search tool to find other matching awards. Applying for multiple compatible bursaries increases your total funding potential.

Questions students ask

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