Fees & Financial Aid
For more information on funding options available to domestic students through the University of Toronto click here. For funding options available to international students click here.
Financial Aid
The MGA program does not have a financial aid program. Students enrolled in the MGA program fund their degree through scholarships (if awarded), government loans (OSAP, U.S. Federal Direct Loan Program, etc.), bank loans (Scotiabank Professional Student Loan), and personal savings. Before starting the program, students are expected to budget accordingly to ensure they are able to fund their degree through its entirety. It is important to note that students do not have access to other sources of program funding other than those listed below once they are in the program.
OSAP loans
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a program run by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, and funded by the provincial and federal governments. As a need-based program, it provides loans, grants, scholarships, and bursaries based on a formula that compares educational costs to the student’s own income and assets. OSAP provides eligible Ontario students with financial assistance to help pay for their tuition, books, mandatory fees, living costs, and transportation.
Please visit the OSAP website for more information.
Students from provinces other than Ontario
Canadian provinces outside Ontario: Website: http://www.future.utoronto.ca/finances/financial-aid/osap-and-other-government-aid, Email: oop.financialaid@utoronto.ca
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- New Brunswick
- North West Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Supporting documentation, required signatures, paper applications (including the fee payment) as well as cost sheets should all be submitted to Admissions & Awards.
Admissions & Awards
172 St. George StreetToronto, Ontario M5R 0A3
Phone: 416-978-2190
E-mail: osap.staff@utoronto.ca
Website: www.adm.utoronto.ca
Scotiabank Professional Student Loan
Students interested in applying for the Scotiabank’s Professional Student Loan Program may contact the following representatives:
Shanta Gulchand
shanta.gulchand@scotiabank.com
Or
Lynne Owen
Other loans & bursaries
International Students
U.S. Citizens
Scholarships and Awards
Year One Entrance Scholarships
Master of Global Affairs Student Scholarship
The MGA program has various scholarships that are awarded to students. First year MGA students are awarded entrance scholarships at the time of admission. Entrance scholarships are awarded based on the competitiveness of an applicant’s file. Not all applicants are awarded an entrance scholarship. Entrance scholarships are valid for the year an applicant is admitted only and do not carryover should an applicant decide to defer their admittance for one year. Entrance scholarships are credited to a students account in late September/early October.
MGA students in year two of the program are considered for named scholarships (see below) based on their academic performance in year one of the program. At the end of year one when all final grades are in, GPAs are calculated, and students are ranked from highest to lowest GPA. Named scholarships are awarded to the top students based on GPA.
Students in the combined JD/MGA and MGA/MBA programs may only receive MGA scholarships in the year they are paying tuition to the MGA program. They should consult either the Faculty of Law or Rotman for funding opportunities for their respective programs.
There is no needs-based funding available to students in year one or year two of the program.
International Students
Thomas E. Kierans & Mary Janigan MGA Fellowship
- To be awarded based on academic merit to one new Canadian or permanent resident of Canada entering his/her first year of study in the Master of Global Affairs (MGA) program. In addition to a new recipient being selected, recipients who have already received the award may be eligible for a 2nd year of funding.
- Approx. value: $25,000 CAD
Black Diaspora Excellence Scholarship
- Awarded to an international MGA student, either from a country in Africa or from the Black diaspora entering into the MGA program.
- Awarded based on academic merit upon admission to the program. No separate application is required.
- Awarded by the Admissions Committee in March/April.
- Approx. value: Varies
Year Two Scholarships
Paul Cadario Fellowship in Global Affairs
- Established by Paul Cadario.
- Awarded to one or more Master of Global Affairs (MGA) year two student based on academic need or financial need.
- No application required.
- Recipients selected by the MGA Awards Committee in May/June.
- Approx. Value of Award: $6,000-$8,000 CAD
David Goldberg Fellowship
- Established by Gary and Martin Goldberg in memory of their father, David Goldberg.
- Awarded to one or two Master of Global Affairs (MGA) year two students per year.
- No application required.
- Recipients selected by the MGA Awards Committee in May/June.
- Approx. Value of Award: $2,000 CAD
Richard and Wanda O'Hagan Scholarships
- Established by Peter O’Hagan.
- Awarded to a Master of Global Affairs (MGA) year two student on the basis of academic merit or financial need.
- No application required.
- Recipients selected by the MGA Awards Committee in May/June.
- Approx. Value of Award: $2,000 CAD
Dr. James Orbinski Fellowship in Global Affairs
- Established by the Faculty of Arts and Science, Department of Political Science, School of Graduate Studies and Provost Office.
- Awarded to a year two student in the Master of Global Affairs (MGA) program on the basis of academic merit. Financial need will also be considered.
- No application required.
- Recipients selected by the MGA Awards Committee in May/June.
- Approx. Value of Award: $3,000 CAD
The Power Corporation of Canada MGA Scholarship
- Established by the Power Corporation of Canada.
- Awarded to one or more Master of Global Affairs (MGA) year two students, based on academic merit and financial need.
- No application required.
- Recipients selected by the MGA Awards Committee in May/June.
- Approx. Value of Award: $6,000 CAD per award
Jonathan Hausman Fellowship
- Established by Jonathan Hausman and Stacey Rosen
- Awarded to one or more Master of Global Affairs (MGA) year two students who has a B.Com or Law degree (JD or LLB) or is pursing the combined JD/MGA or MGA/MBA program.
- May also be awarded to a qualified incoming student.
- Based on academic merit.
- No application required.
- Recipients selected by the MGA Awards Committee in May/June.
- Approx. Value of Award: $4,000-$8,000 CAD
The Dr. Connie Carter Global Affairs Award
- To be awarded to one or more Master of Global Affairs students in year two from one of the CARICOM countries, on the basis of academic excellence.
- No application required.
- May also be awarded to a qualified incoming MGA student.
- Recipients selected by the MGA Awards Committee in May/June.
- Approx. Award Value: $5,000-$10,000 CAD
Rotman Family MBA-MGA Scholarship in Memory of Peter Munk
- Awarded to a Master of Global Affairs (MGA) student entering the MBA/MGA joint program in year two, and awarded based on academic merit.
- No application required.
- Recipient chosen by the Rotman School of Management and the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy in July.
- Award Value: $15,000 CAD
Alan Gotlieb Prize
- To be awarded annually to one year two MGA student in either the MGA or MPP programs who excels in both global affairs and public policy.
- Awarded to an MGA student in even years only (odd years MPP). A selection committee comprised of faculty and a representative of the Gotlieb Family will convene to select a recipient. No application is necessary.
- Awarded by the selection committee in May/June. Awarded to an MGA student in even years only.
- Approx. Award Value: $5,000 CAD
Alan Gotleb Travel Fellowship
- To be awarded annually to one year two MGA student in either the MGA or MPP programs to advance their studies in global affairs or public policy through travel outside of Canada.
- Awarded to an MGA student in even years only (odd years MPP). A selection committee comprised of faculty and a representative of the Gotlieb Family will convene to select a recipient. No application is necessary.
- Awarded by the selection committee in May/June. Awarded to an MGA student in even years only.
- Approx. Award Value: $1,500 CAD
Dr. Sylvia Ostry MGA and MPP Memorial Scholarship
- To be awarded to one or more year two MGA or MPP students (MGA2 student odd years) on the basis of academic merit.
- No application is required. Decisions are made based by the Awards Committee based on academic performance in year one of the program.
- Awarded by the selection committee in May/June. Awarded to an MGA student in even years only.
- Approx. Award Value: $3,000 CAD
The Master in Global Affairs (MGA) Lupina-IPL Fellowships in Innovation
- Thanks to the generosity of the Lupina Foundation MGA students may apply for the Lupina-IPL Fellowships in Innovation worth $5,000. Awards will be given to students who applied for OGS and indicated innovation as their focus of study. Applicants selected by the IPL selection committee who have not been awarded OGS may still receive the $5,000.
- To apply, MGA students must submit a one-page proposal in which they describe their fit with the goals of the Innovation Policy Lab (IPL) and identify an IPL member with whom they wish to work. The proposal should explain their proposed and current course to study toward a specialization in the innovation emphasis as part of their MGA studies, and a project on which they would like to write a policy brief under the supervision of an IPL members. Students must apply to OGS and indicate innovation in their Plan of Study. In order to apply please send a one-page proposal, a short bio and an academic CV to IPL Co-Director ipl.codirector@utoronto.ca with the subject – Lupina-IPL MGA award in innovation studies CC’ing mga@utoronto.ca by April 1, 2021.
- A committee consisting of three IPL members will review all received applicants. Approximately six fellowships will be awarded annually. Decisions will be made in June/July.
- Award Value: $5,000 CAD
Student Leadership Fellowships (SLIs)
Scholarships Awarded Upon Graduation
The Janice Stein Student and Alumni Leadership Awards
The Janice Stein Alumni Leadership Award is awarded to an MGA alumni who has exhibited exemplary innovative leadership on a global issue since graduating from the MGA program. The recipient is announced at the fall alumni reunion.
The Peter Mansbridge Gold Medal
The George B. Kepes MGA Leadership Award
Government Awards (SSHRC/OGS)
Provincial and Federal Awards
OGS (Ontario Graduate Scholarship)/Lupina-IPL OGS Fellowship
Value of Award: $15,000 ($5,000 per term) + $5,000 top-up from the MGA program or Lupina-IPL Fellowship
Eligibility: Students who are Ontario residents, including visa students may apply for OGS
Students must have a GPA 0f 3.7 or A- in their last 20 courses to be eligible for this award.
Deadline to submit application to MGA program: March 1, 2021 (International Students) and April 1, 2021 (Domestic Students) (please submit your application online as directed below)
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is now administered and distributed at a departmental level. The MGA program accepts OGS application directly and is responsible for distributing the award. Current Year One and potential MGA students may apply for OGS using the on-line application form now available for students to access via the SGS website or by clicking here.
Applicants must apply through the SGS OGS portal. Applicants who want to be considered for the Master of Global Affairs (MGA) Lupina-IPL Fellowship in Innovation must also submit a separate application (see The Master in Global Affairs (MGA) Lupina-IPL Fellowships in Innovation).
The University of Toronto OGS application requires that students provide the same supporting materials as has been included in previous OGS applications:
- Two Academic Assessment reports (referees will be required to submit on-line)
- Plan of study (approx. 500 words)
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (unofficial or student issued copies are permitted)
- List of previous awards/publications/conferences/research experience
Important note for students: This application will only be assessed at the University of Toronto. Students must submit an OGS application to each institution for which they are seeking admission. OGS awards are no longer transferrable by a student from one university to another.
SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council)
Value of Award: $17, 500 (CAD) + $5,000 top-up from the MGA program
Eligibility: Students who are citizens or permanent residents of Canada may apply for SSHRC.
Students must hold an 80% (A- or 3.7) average in their last two years of undergraduate study to be eligible for this award.
Deadline to submit application to MGA program: December 1, 2020
MGA students are eligible to apply for the Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Master’s Award. Students can apply for this award starting in the fall of each year for use in the next academic year. Both current Year One MGA students and students applying to the MGA program may apply for this award.
Although the MGA program does not have a formal thesis component,
Although the MGA program does not have a formal thesis component, MGA students who receive SSHRC must enroll in either the MGA Reading Course (GLA2095H) or the MGA Research Paper (GLA2888H) to meet the research requirement of the award.
Application Process:
When completing a CGS M application, students may select up to 5 separate universities (one graduate department per university) where they intend to pursue graduate studies and hold the award. Once completed and submitted online, the entire application will be available to all the proposed universities the student has listed. Students applying for an award at U of T will not be required to submit a paper application.
Applicants must complete and submit the online application using the Research Portal. Students should refer to the CGS M application instructions currently housed on the NSERC’s website for details on how to complete their application. Additionally the Canadian Common CV (CCV) must be completed and uploaded to the CGS M application.
A completed CGS M application will include the following:
- Completed 3 part online application
- Identification
- Summary of Proposal
- Activity Details
- Outline of proposed research (as PDF attachment)
- Canadian Common CV (as PDF attachment)
- All official academic transcripts, undergraduate and graduate (as PDF attachment)**
- Completed Reference Assessments (x2) – invitation initiated and form completed electronically
** registered students must provide official transcripts showing fall 2017 registration.
***SSHRC cannot be transferred to other schools. Students must use the award at university that awarded it to them.
Resources and Contact Information:
- Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Program Instructions for Completing an Application: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ResearchPortal-PortailDeRecherche/Instructions-Instructions/CGS_M-BESC_M_eng.asp.
- Canadian Common CV – How to Complete the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Version: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ResearchPortal-PortailDeRecherche/Instructions-Instructions/index_eng.asp
Other Scholarships and Awards
Other Scholarships and Awards
CIE Study Abroad Funding
Budget
Below is a sample budget for the overall cost to attend the MGA program for one year. Costs are an estimate. More information on living costs in Toronto can be found here.
Perspective students can calculate their own budget using the UofT Financial Planning Tool.
Domestic Student Budget
Tuition: $21,070.00 (estimate based on 2020-2021 tuition) *All amounts are in Canadian Dollars.
Accommodation (based on a one bedroom apartment off-campus): $16,000 for 8 months ($2,000 a month)
Books: $500
Required Internship: $5,000
Food: $3000
Public Transportation: $980
Clothing: $1000
Miscellaneous: $2000
Total: $49,550 per year
International Student Budget
Tuition: $41,870.00 (estimate based on 2020-2021 tuition)*All amounts are in Canadian Dollars.
Accommodation (based on a one bedroom apartment off-campus): $16,000 for 8 months ($2,000 a month)
Books: $500
Required Internship: $5,000
Food: $3000
Public Transportation: $980
Clothing: $1000
Miscellaneous: $2000
Total: $70,350.00 per year
TA & RAships
The MGA program does not offer Teaching Assistant positions as part of the offer of admissions. TA positions are posted by participating departments and students are encouraged to seek out these positions independently.
To view current TA positions click here.
TAships are unionized and often go to continuing PhD students before Masters students. However, students should still apply to any position available. Please visit departmental websites (Example: Department of Political Science) to view TA positions.
Students seeking a position as a Research Assistant should contact professors directly. Professors often have personal grants through which they fund RAships. The University’s Work Study program also offers RA positions to students who qualify for OSAP. Please visit the Career Centre’s website in late August/early September for more information on the types of positions available.
Housing
Grad House is University of Toronto’s residence for graduate students. Students must apply directly to Grad House for a spot. Please visit their website for more information.
More information on housing options for students can be found here.