Financial Support

Through the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS), Western aims to provide each qualified Category I student (i.e. student enrolled in a research-based graduate program) offered admission into a program with sufficient financial resources to accept the offer. SGPS awards student support based on the initial nomination of the student's graduate program. Application by the student is not required. For comprehensive information regarding internal and external funding opportunities, visit the SGPS website.

Minimum Academic Requirement for SGPS Financial Support

To be eligible for SGPS Financial Support incoming students must have a minimum admission average of 75% as determined by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Continuing students must meet the graduate program conditions for progression towards the degree, as well as a minimum requirement of 75% based on all courses completed in the current program..

Eligibility for SGPS Financial Support is Limited to the Normal Duration of the Student’s Program

  • Kinesiology provides funding for master's level students for six terms
  • Doctoral students are eligible for SGPS financial support for the first twelve terms of full-time registration
  • During their period of fundability, doctoral students must apply for Tri-Council (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) and Ontario government awards (OGS/ST) for which they are eligible
  • Students who transfer from a master's program to a doctoral program are eligible for financial support during the first fifteen consecutive full-time terms of registration (this includes both programs)

A Minimum Annual Financial Package for Master’s Students

The master’s annual financial package of $10,000 can come from a variety of sources and can differ from student to student, based on a variety of circumstances. These sources may include internal academic scholarships, tuition scholarships, and/or teaching or research assistantships. In the situation where you are awarded a teaching or research assistantship, the University requires that you cannot work more than 10 hours per week. Should a student decline the offer of a teaching or research assistantship, funding amounts will be adjusted accordingly. In those situations where the student holds a major external award (e.g., OGS or CIHR), you will be funded up to a maximum of $3,000, and similar to other funding, it may be comprised of various sources.

A Minimum Annual Financial Package for Doctoral Students 

Incoming Doctoral students and continuing Doctoral students who meet the usual eligibility criteria must have access to an annual financial package (i.e., three terms commencing with the initial term of admission) of a minimum annual funding of $19,000, with the following caveats:

  • The financial package can come from a variety of sources and can differ from student to student. These sources include: supervisor research grant support; external scholarship support (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, OGS, OGSST, etc.); Graduate Teaching Assistantships; internal scholarship support (Western Graduate Research Scholarships, program-based scholarships, endowments, etc); and employment other than GTAships (10 hour limit per week). Students in receipt of an external scholarship or other income that brings their package above $19,000, will see a reduction in their support from on-campus sources to an amount of no less than $8,000.
  • OSAP is excluded in the calculation of the financial package.
  • The student may decline all or part of the package without prejudice to his/her admission. Where the student declines part of the package, the program must submit a written statement to SGPS, signed by the student, documenting the adequacy of the student's financial resources for the length of the program and acknowledging the University has met its obligations.

Completion of the Student’s Program

  • When the student completes his/her program (or withdraws without completing) while receiving SGPS financial support, this support may be subject to repayment or pro-rating for the remainder of the term (consult the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for further details).
  • The University of Western Ontario and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies reserves the right to modify and/or discontinue the SGPS financial support packages. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website www.uwo.ca/grad provides complete information on Financial Support available at The University of Western Ontario.

Support for Student Academic Travel

Support is available for students traveling to make presentations at conferences and scholarly meetings, including Kinesiology funding, FHS and SOGS travel subsidy.

Kinesiology Travel Award

This award is available once per year - usually February.  The award will be allotted on the following basis:

  • International travel:  $500.00
  • National travel:  $400.00
  • Local travel:  $300.00

Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Student Conference Travel Award

This award is available twice per year--October and March.  The award will be allotted on the following basis:

  • International travel:  $500.00
  • National travel:  $400.00
  • Local travel:  $300.00

Society of Graduate Students (SOGS) Travel Subsidy 

Travel Subsidies are awarded to a maximum of $400 based on demonstrated need.  Completed applications must be submitted within the term of the conference with proof of attendance.   Deadlines are in April, August and December.

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