​SGS Master’s Completion Bursary (MCB)

Award Overview

Purpose

The Master’s Completion Bursary (MCB) is a financial aid program that serves to assist master’s students who have experienced a delay in their program due to unanticipated factors beyond their control, and must therefore register as a full-time student beyond the program length to complete a small or minimal amount of work in order to graduate. 

COVID-19 related delays: Students who were registered during or before the Winter 2020 session and whose academic progress has been significantly impeded due to COVID-19 related disruptions may be eligible for an SGS Tuition Fee Exemption. More information is available here: https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/admissions/graduate-fees/#section_13 

Eligibility

Masters students who meet the following criteria may apply:

  • experienced unanticipated factors or circumstances beyond their control causing a delay in their program;  
  • registered beyond the normal program length required for their degree in order to complete a minimal amount of work* (see below);
  • registered full-time and charged full-time fees in the final session of their program;
  • have been invoiced for additional sessions beyond the minimum degree fee for their program;
  • within the time limit for their degree; and 
  • received little or no funding, stipend or tuition support in their final session of registration.

*a minimal amount of work includes the following:

    • Thesis Based Programs: Defense or submission of a student’s final thesis or Major Research Paper/Project (MRP). The thesis is defended and submitted to the ProQuest digital library repository, or MRP submitted to the department. 
    • Course-Based Programs: Completion of a 0.5 or 1.0 course, project, paper or language exam. 

COVID-19 related delays: Students whose academic progress has been significantly impeded due to COVID-19 related disruptions may be eligible for an SGS tuition fee exemption. More information is available here: https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/admissions/graduate-fees/#section_13 

OISE Students: Should first seek bursary assistance through the Office of the Registrar and Student Services (ORSS). Upon recommendation by the OISE Financial Aid and Awards Coordinator, OISE students may be considered for the Master’s Completion Bursary. 

Application Process

Applicants must:

  1. Complete sections 1, 2, and 4 of the MCB application form.
  2. Attach a letter of support written and signed by your Supervisor (or Associate Chair) explaining the unanticipated circumstances beyond your control that lead to the delay in progress;
  3. Compile and attach any other necessary letters or documents (such as a VOI, medical note etc.);
  4. Submit the completed application  and any attachments to your graduate unit administrator to verify, sign and forward to SGS.

Graduate units are asked to submit the completed application with all supporting documentation as a single PDF to sgs.financial.assistance@utoronto.ca by the application deadline.

Results

MCB results are communicated via the student’s U of T email address.

Additional Info

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When can I apply?

You are eligible to apply once you have completed all degree requirements, in either the Fall or Winter session. The bursary is not available if you complete your degree requirements during the Summer session unless summers fees have been applied to your invoice.

You should submit your completed MCB application within two weeks of receiving your final grade or of submitting your approved thesis to ProQuest but no later than the published deadline.

How do I find out the required program length of my degree?

Program length is listed in the program requirements section of each degree program in the SGS Calendar.

How do I know if I am within the time limit of my degree?

Program time limit is listed in the program requirements section of each degree program in the SGS Calendar.

What is the amount of the Master’s Completion Bursary?

The value of the bursary is specific to the fees for your particular program. The bursary is equal to the difference between the part-time and full-time tuition amount for SGS doctoral-stream masters students.

Students are responsible for other charges and/or service charges that accrue on their outstanding balance.

See a complete list of fees.

How will I know if I’ve been approved?

Students will be notified of the results of their application via their U of T email account within 30 days of the published application deadline.

How will I receive payment?

If approved, the bursary is paid through your ACORN student account within the month following the submission deadline. Payment is first applied to any outstanding balance; any remaining funds will be refunded to students.

Contacts & Resources

For inquiries regarding the nomination/application process, please contact: sgs.financial.assistance@utoronto.ca