How Graduate Funding Works in A&S
Graduate students in funded programs receive a base funding package while they are in the funded cohort. Funding packages are developed by each graduate unit, in accordance with Faculty of Arts & Science policy. Sources of funding include academic scholarships, internal awards, teaching assistantships (TA) and research assistantships (RA), which form the foundation of the funding package. If funding from these sources amounts to less than the A&S base funding package, University of Toronto Fellowships are provided to make up the difference.
Student income is often higher than the base package, and may significantly exceed the base level in graduate units that have abundant TA opportunities or high-value RA-ships. For more information, including a listing of which programs are funded in each department, visit How Graduate Funding Works.
The A&S Base Funding Package
Funding packages consist of a base amount, plus tuition and fees. In 2021, the Faculty of Arts & Science announced a $1,500 three-year funding increase, which will see the base amount increase to $20,500 in the Humanities and Social Sciences and $21,000 in the Sciences by 2024-25. Learn more about the A&S Base Funding Package and Funding by Graduate Unit.
Program Level Fellowships
In addition to the base funding package, A&S provides program level fellowship funds of $1,000 per student in the funded cohort, to be allocated as determined by each graduate unit in consultation with students. To learn more, including a list of Program Fellowship Plans by department, visit Program Level Fellowships.
Internal Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded by various divisions of the University of Toronto and through the School of Graduate Studies, which holds an annual competition for University-wide awards. Most Arts & Science academic units also award scholarships. Consult your home department's website for details. Learn more about Faculty of Arts & Science awards and School of Graduate Studies awards.
External Scholarships
Major scholarships granted by agencies external to the University include NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council), SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council) and OGS (Ontario Graduate Scholarships). Applications for these awards are usually submitted through your home department. Visit the School of Graduate Studies website to learn more about government-funded and other external awards.