The Society of Graduate Students and the Grad Club offer a variety of programs designed to help students financially. Membership fees and Grad Club profits fund these programs. All subsidy applications are available online and in the SOGS office (UCC 260). Bursary applications are made available online only. An email will be sent out to all graduate students when they become available.

The types of loans and programs are as follows:

• SOGS Bursaries
• Emergency Loans
• Child Care Subsidy
• Travel Subsidy
• Peggy Collins Memorial Award
• 125th Anniversary Scholarship

SOGS considers the privacy and confidentiality of all applicants as its highest priority. Therefore applicants will remain anonymous to the selection committee. Please notify SOGS if you think there is a potential conflict of interest.

SOGS Bursaries (link)
SOGS Bursaries are awarded three times annually to full-time members of the Society of Graduate Students (Masters or Doctoral) who have demonstrated financial need. The Society of Graduate Students bursary program is made up of three bursaries: SOGS Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund (OSOTF) Bursary, Out of Province/Country (OOP) Bursary and Grad Club (GC) Bursary.

Emergency Loans (application form)
The Society administers a financial service aimed at providing emergency loans of up to $1,000. Loans are secured through a post-dated repayment cheque.  Students with more complicated financial difficulties should seek appropriate support from outside the Society.

Child Care Subsidy (application form)
The Grad Club and the Society provide limited subsidies of $250 per term to offset the cost of child care services. The confidentiality of all applications is assured, and the general statistical information that is collected is used in our ongoing lobbying of the University for improved childcare assistance and facilities.  Applications must be completed and returned by the last business day of each term.

Travel Subsidy (application form)
Travel Subsidies are awarded to a maximum of $400 based on demonstrated need. The information collected through this form is used by SOGS for internal statistical purposes. Confidentiality of all information will be maintained. Completed applications must be submitted within the term of the conference. Deadlines are the last business day of each term in April, August and the last day of operation before the Christmas break.

Peggy Collins Memorial Award (application form)
Awarded to a part-time graduate student in a part-time designated graduate program who achieves a minimum 78% academic average in courses completed. Preference will be given to individuals who are in the workforce full-time; have family commitments; are involved in the community at Western or the community at large.

This award was made possible by generous donations from the family, friends and colleagues of Peggy Collins, a long-time employee of Western. It is hoped that this award will help to continue Peggy's unending efforts to support others in their meaningful struggles to balance family, career and personal development. Established through Foundation Western.

Value: Up to 2 at $1,000, depending on funds available.

125th Anniversary Scholarship
The SOGS 125th Anniversary Scholarship is awarded once a year to four full-time members of the Society of Graduate Students. On the basis of academic achievement, research excellence, and community involvement, this scholarship is awarded to full-time Masters and Doctoral students who are receiving less in internal or external funding than the amount of full-time tuition. Masters and Doctoral Students can receive up to $1,250. Learn more >>

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