Financial Aid and Counselling
Financial Aid
Bursaries are given to students who apply and demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Academic achievement is not taken into consideration when awarding bursaries, however, you must be registered in the semester you receive a bursary. All bursary applications are processed by Student Financial Services. Please check the following link for graduate student bursaries.
The Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) offers several different awards and bursaries for students in financial need. You must be a member of the GSA to apply.
The University of Guelph strives to provide equal opportunity for academically qualified students with disabilities. We recognize that having a disability can incur additional financial costs. As a result, students with Permanent Disabilities may be eligible for loans, bursaries, scholarships, waivers or other awards designed to help offset disability-related costs related to your education.
To learn more about what might be available to you as a student with a permanent disability, please refer to the details outlined by Student Financial Services for students with permanent disabilities, and to the links provided on the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) website.
If you are experiencing financial difficulty due to extenuating circumstances there may be sources of funding available to you.
The Request for Financial Assistance form is for emergency purposes only; you should first check with your advisor, your Graduate Coordinator, and the Associate Dean Research & Graduate Studies of your College to determine if funds may be available to assist you. You must also check with Student Financial Services to determine if you qualify for financial need assistance. Once you have consulted all parties and obtained signatures on the form, please email the form to the Graduate Awards Officers (grschol@uoguelph.ca) or drop the form off at the front desk of the OGPS, 3rd Floor UC.
There is also the GSA Compassionate Bursary Fund which may provide up to $2,000 for expenses that are incurred due to extenuating circumstances. Please see the GSA website for further details.
The following government-funded programs are administered by Student Financial Services:
- Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
- Out of Province Student Loans
- USA Student Loans
- University of Guelph Work Study Program
Financial Counselling
It’s best to seek help early. Financial counselling can help relieve stress, resolve your immediate financial problems and help you to plan for your future.
Counsellors are available in Student Financial Services (SFS) to assist you with your financial situation. Please see their website for information on making an appointment to meet with a counsellor. Emergency counselling is available on a drop in basis during the first two weeks each semester.