York University Graduate Bursaries

What you will need

• ✓ Complete a profile in the FAAS (Financial Aid, Awards and Scholarships — the central portal for all York funding) system
• ✓ Submit a Student Financial Profile (SFP) for FGS-administered bursaries
• ✓ For FGS Emergency Bursary applicants: email fgseb@yorku.ca to request an online application
• ✓ For Schulich Graduate Students seeking emergency aid: email finaid@schulich.yorku.ca
• ✓ For OPD (Osgoode Professional Development) Students seeking emergency aid: apply via the Osgoode website

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted for these bursaries; instead, the amounts may vary based on the volume of applications and the number of high-need applications in any given cycle. As these are bursaries, the money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a registered, full-time graduate student at York University who is paying fees and can show you have a financial need. For the Fall/Winter 2026-2027 cycle, you must apply between September 1, 2026, and January 31, 2027. For the Summer 2027 cycle, the window is May 1, 2027, to May 31, 2027. You will hear back after adjudication in either the Winter/Summer or Summer term, depending on which cycle you applied for. Winners are chosen by an adjudication committee. For general graduate studies bursaries, this committee includes the Dean (or their designate), one full-time faculty member, and a representative from the GSA (the Graduate Students Association — the student union for graduate learners). Financial need is judged on your family status (for example, a single parent with children), your fee status (international or domestic) and any special medical or personal circumstances you describe. Funds are posted to your STAC (Student Account — the internal ledger where York tracks your tuition and fees). For the FGS Emergency Bursary, the funds are then refunded to your linked bank account. You should set up EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer — a direct digital payment from the school to your bank) to make this transfer faster. Renewal conditions aren't listed. Because these are based on your current financial need, you must notify York University - Faculty of Graduate Studies as soon as possible if your financial situation changes, as they may adjust your allocation amount.

Who qualifies

You must be a registered, full-time, fee-paying graduate student at York University with demonstrated financial need. You cannot apply if you are in a professional program or a program affiliated with the Schulich School of Business, unless you have secured a CUPE 3903 (the Canadian Union of Public Employees local 3903 — the union representing graduate assistants) assignment. Priority is given to you if you have not already received a bursary in the current academic year. For the CUPE 3903 Unit 1 Masters Bursary Fund, you must be a bargaining unit member in a masters program, registered full-time in the summer, and have no other funding besides bursaries. Within this fund, first priority goes to those in multi-year masters who held a full teaching assistantship previously and are returning for year two or three; second priority goes to those entering a PhD program at York in the fall. For the FGS Emergency Bursary, you simply need to be a currently registered graduate student.

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, protected person or international student
• ✓ Open to 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

   Submit your application

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

Tips for applying

• Financial NeedAvoid giving vague descriptions of your situation. Instead, provide specific details about your family status, such as being a single parent, or special medical and personal circumstances in the freeform section of the application. List every factor that impacts your budget.
• SupportAvoid omitting your union status if applicable. Instead, clearly state if you are a bargaining unit member of CUPE 3903 (the Canadian Union of Public Employees local 3903). This ensures you are considered for the specific union-managed funds.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the last minute to check your account settings. Instead, visit the Requesting a Refund site now to set up your Electronic Funds Transfer. Doing this ensures your money moves quickly from your student account to your bank.
• RealismAvoid assuming a fixed amount. Instead, remember that the money you get depends on how many other high-need students apply in your cycle. Plan your budget with the understanding that the allocation can vary.

Questions students ask

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