Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is a prestigious funding program that supports outstanding graduate students in Ontario, Canada. It encourages excellence in graduate studies at publicly assisted universities in Ontario. Since 1975, the OGS program has been providing merit-based scholarships to Ontario’s best graduate students in all disciplines of academic study.
The scholarship program at U of T is jointly funded by the Province of Ontario and the University of Toronto.
The Province allocates OGS awards to universities specifying the number of awards that each may offer to their students annually.
Established to foster academic excellence and encourage innovative research, OGS has become a highly sought-after opportunity for students pursuing advanced degrees in various disciplines.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship program is administered by the Ontario government in partnership with participating universities across the province.
Its primary objective is to attract and retain top-tier graduate students, both domestic and international, who demonstrate exceptional academic achievements, research potential, and leadership skills.
By providing financial support, OGS aims to enable students to fully dedicate their time and efforts to their research pursuits.
Value & Duration
The value of the OGS is $5,000 per session. Thus, awardees may receive $10,000 for two consecutive sessions or $15,000 for three consecutive sessions.
In all instances, the awarding graduate unit will contribute to one-third of the cost of the total award received by the students.
Each scholarship is tenable for one year (i.e., two consecutive or three academic sessions).
The value and duration of each OGS award will be determined by the awarding graduate unit and detailed in the offer letter.
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Eligibility Criteria for Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Applicants must:
1. Be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) by the student deadline as determined by each graduate unit; International students who are studying or plan to study at the University of Toronto under a temporary resident visa (student study permit) are eligible for a set number of OGS awards (valid study permits must be effective as of the graduate units’ OGS international application deadline);
- COVID-19 exception: Currently registered international graduate students who have not yet been able to obtain a study permit due to COVID-19 circumstances are eligible to apply. However, these applicants must have a valid study permit to hold the award;
2. Be registered or intend to register in an eligible program on a full-time basis in 2024;
3. An eligible program is defined as a full-time program of study of two or three terms at the University of Toronto leading to a graduate degree. A full-time student is in at least 60% of a full course load (40% for students with a permanent disability) or as defined by their institution. Program eligibility is determined individually by each graduate unit. Students should carefully review the information outlined by the graduate unit they intend to be registered in, to determine if their program is eligible for the graduate unit’s OGS competition.
Other Eligibility Criteria to Adhere to:
4. Have not exceeded the lifetime maximum of government-funded support or maximum OGS/QEII support available for their current level of study (see Maximum Support below); and
5. Have achieved at least A- (or equivalent) in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent); or if the student has completed two years or more of graduate studies at the time of application, the student must only demonstrate an overall average of at least A- (or equivalent) on all graduate courses completed.
Note: If marks used for calculating an applicant’s grade point average (GPA) are not available (e.g., courses were graded on a pass-fail basis), then the next most recent available undergraduate or graduate marks should be used to determine eligibility.
Application Process for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship
The application process for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship usually involves several steps. Carefully go through the steps below:
1. Applicants must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria specific to the university they wish to apply to and the program they are enrolled in.
2. Students need to compile and submit various documents, such as academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of interest, and a research proposal (if applicable).
3. The application must be completed and submitted within the specified deadline, following the instructions provided by the university.
4. Applications are typically evaluated based on academic achievements, research potential, leadership abilities, and other relevant factors. Each participating institution has its selection committee responsible for the assessment.
Scholarship Application Deadlines
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship program is a prestigious opportunity that empowers graduate students in Ontario to excel academically and pursue groundbreaking research.
By providing financial support and recognizing exceptional talent, OGS plays a significant role in cultivating a vibrant academic community that thrives on innovation and excellence.
With its numerous benefits and opportunities, the program continues to shape the future of research and education in Ontario, making it a coveted scholarship for aspiring graduate students.
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