The Challenge
Many students and their families face significant barriers in covering the high costs of post-secondary education. We are committed to providing the opportunities students need to be successful once admitted to Arts & Science. Generous donors support students' academic focus through awards, scholarships and bursaries that alleviate financial burdens for those who need it most, enabling students to focus on what matters most: their education. Arts & Science offers the most robust and well-rounded education possible, and together we can continue to attract the very best and brightest leaders of tomorrow.
How A&S is Driving Change
In the fall of 2021, A&S launched the Arts & Science Internship Program, which gives students the opportunity to engage in 12 to 20 months of paid work experience with specialized professional development training.
Industrial Relations and Human Resources student Ahmad Madokh took part in the inaugural year of the program. “Every ASIP module is a learning experience that helps you access useful resources for job hunting and set a plan to achieve your goals. The modules that deeply resonated with me were the ones on resume crafting, cover letter tailoring and interview preparation.” Excited about this opportunity, 340 Arts & Science students took part.
No student left behind. That’s the Arts & Science promise. It is our belief all students should be able to focus on their enriching studies at U of T. This is only possible through the help and support of passionate changemakers like you. Donor support helps cover the costs associated with textbooks, technology, tuition fees, living necessities and experiential learning opportunities. Through the support of our community, 40 new scholarships were awarded for the first time in the 2021-2022 academic year.
Generous donors recognized the value of creating applied learning opportunities for students, such as Nicole Baltag. The 2021-22 recipient of the Jack and Adrienne Taylor Scholarship for Undergraduate Students and an aspiring lawyer, Baltag is passionate about a range of subjects across Arts & Science. Donors made her studies at U of T possible. “Having always worried about paying off my education, especially when I always tried to aim for getting the best one possible, receiving this award has taken so much of that worry away. It has allowed me to focus more on doing what I love while I’m here, whether it’s school, or even taking more time to just sit down and write like I always used to do. Thank you again for relieving a great portion of my financial concerns.”
A&S alum Joan McCalla created her own scholarship for deserving students through a legacy bequest. The Joan McCalla Scholarship was established this year for Indigenous students who want to pursue a master’s degree. McCalla hopes to break down barriers to education for Indigenous students — a form of paying it forward, as a scholarship allowed McCalla to pursue her own graduate degree. Through gift planning, legacy donors invest in a brighter future for those who follow in their footsteps. The legacies they leave behind will drive important initiatives for years to come, supporting the Arts & Science community’s efforts to tackle society’s highest priorities and open worlds of opportunity for students.