Scholars and Students at Risk Award Program

What you will need

• ✓ Completed U of T (University of Toronto) Student Awards Application
• ✓ Written description of your status within the last five years as an asylum seeker or refugee
• ✓ Explanation of how your program of study was impacted by changing political environments or immigration laws in your country of study
• ✓ Be able to demonstrate financial need

About this award

You can receive up to $10,000. This is a grant, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are, or have been in the last five years, an asylum seeker or refugee anywhere in the world, or if changing politics or immigration law in the country where you study or plan to study has disrupted your program. You must apply by Monday November 30, 2026, at 5pm EST. You will usually hear back via email within one or two months after the deadline. Selection criteria aren't published — ask University of Toronto — University Registrar's Office how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask University of Toronto — University Registrar's Office 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 University of Toronto — University Registrar's Office whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You qualify if you meet any of these criteria: - You are, or have been within the last five years, an asylum-seeker or refugee anywhere in the world, regardless of your status in Canada. - Your current or proposed program of study has been impacted by changing political environments in your country of current or future study, including changes in immigration law. - You are studying on a temporary basis (such as an exchange) at the University of Toronto during a time of conflict or political turmoil in the country where you are registered; in this case, you would have special registration status. - You are a registered full-time student at the University of Toronto, a newly admitted student, or a transfer student who has accepted an offer of admission to a full-time undergraduate program for the upcoming academic year, and your studies have been affected in one of the ways above. Additionally, you must be able to demonstrate financial need.

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.

• ✓ Canadian citizen, permanent resident, international student or refugee
• ✓ Open to undergraduate or graduate 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

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

3. 3

   Submit your application

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

Tips for applying

• Current StatusAvoid giving a vague summary of your history. Instead, clearly describe your status as an asylum seeker or refugee within the last five years. Provide specific dates and locations to show the timeline of your displacement.
• Financial NeedAvoid simply stating that you need money. Instead, provide concrete evidence of your financial situation.
• StrategyAvoid sending your application via email or paper. Instead, use the official U of T (University of Toronto) Student Awards Application portal. Double-check that your submission is confirmed in the system before the November deadline.
• RealismAvoid assuming this grant will cover all your costs. Instead, treat this as one part of your funding plan. Reach out to the University of Toronto — University Registrar's Office to see if there are other bursaries for students at risk.

Questions students ask

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