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Fees and financial aid

Fees and financial aid

Fees

Domestic Students
Tuition: $20,520 (2024-25 fees); Ancillary fees: $2003.96; Approximate total: $22,523 (2024-25 fees)

International Students
Tuition: $53,000 per year (2024-25 fees); Ancillary fees: $2003.96; UHIP: $756.00; Approximate total: $55,759.96 (2024-25 fees)

*All amounts are in Canadian dollars, and are for one academic year.

Fees and financial aid

Students in the Master of Public Policy program have a number of financial aid, scholarship and award options available to them, and often fund their degree through a combination of scholarships, internships, research and TA positions, government loans, bank loans and personal finances.

The School does not offer formal financial aid or full-tuition funding – potential and current MPP students are encouraged to explore the options below when looking to fund their degree. Admitted students are advised that funding sources are limited once they have begun the program. 

We encourage you to plan a budget in advance of arriving at U of T. The University’s Awards and Admissions department offers budget tools and financial counselling to help students. Visit the School of Graduate Studies’ Awards and Funding web pages for a full list of funding options available through the University of Toronto.

Scholarships and awards

The MPP program offers merit-based scholarships to support incoming first year students upon admission to the program. You do not have to apply for these merit-based entrance scholarships as they are administered by Admission's Committee when a student is admitted based on the strength of your application when you apply to the program. Scholarship funding is also available for Indigenous students.

The MPP program also offers an array of merit based scholarships to MPP students in the second year of the program. You do not have to apply for these scholarships as they based on your GPA at the end of your first MPP year, as well as any criteria specific to the award.

Black Diaspora Excellence Scholarship
  • Awarded to an international MPP student (or MGA student in alternate years), either from a country in Africa or from the Black diaspora entering into the MPP (or 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: $2,000
Paul Cadario Fellowship in Public Policy

Established by Munk School Distinguished Fellow Paul Cadario, this fellowship is awarded to approximately eight MPP students in their second year. It has an estimated value of $7,200.       

Mary Louise and Ronald Laidlaw Martin Graduate Scholarship in Public Policy

MPP students in their first year are nominated by the School for this scholarship, which is granted to two 2nd year students on the basis of academic merit. It has an estimated value of $5,130

Shirley Hoy Scholarship in Public Policy and Governance

MPP students in their first year are nominated by the School for this scholarship, which is granted to one domestic student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. It has an estimated value of $900.

Helene and George Coward Master of Public Policy

MPP students in their first year are nominated by the School for this scholarship, which is granted to three 2nd year students on the basis of academic merit. It has an estimated value of $7,000

Faculty of Arts & Science MPP Award

Up to 45 first-year MPP students are nominated by the School for this award, which is granted on the basis of academic merit and financial need. It has an estimated value of $1,000 – $2,000.

Mark Stabile Founding Director Award

Established by the Munk School’s Founding Director, Professor Mark Stabile, this award is given to one or two second-year students, based on academic merit. Students can apply by submitting a one-page summary of activities and initiatives to the MPP program director. The award has an estimated value of $1,000 – $2,000.

Cancer Care Ontario Scholarship

Established by Cancer Care Ontario, this scholarship is awarded to one outstanding second year MPP student with a demonstrated interest in health policy. It has an estimated value of $5,445.       

Indigenous Tuition Initiative

The University of Toronto has created a new Indigenous Tuition Initiative to foster and strengthen relationships between U of T and Indigenous communities in Ontario, across Canada, and in the United States. This initiative includes three programs:

  • The U of T Indigenous Tuition Grant covers the cost of tuition in eligible undergraduate and graduate programs for students from the nine identified First Nations communities
  • Indigenous students from the rest of Canada may be eligible for domestic Ontario tuition fee
  • Native American/Alaska Native students from the continental U.S.A. may be eligible for domestic Ontario tuition fee

Please visit the University Registrar's Office for more information. 

Government and emergency aid

School of Graduate Studies emergency loan

The SGS Emergency Loan alleviates temporary cash flow problems for students who are expecting the release of funds within 30-120 days from employment, an award instalment, the Ontario Student Assistance Program), teaching or research assistantship etc.

Loan applications are processed on an ongoing, continual basis throughout each academic session, and decisions are released within two business days. The average loan is $1,000-1,500, but may be for a larger amount depending on the relevant circumstances. The repayment date is normally no more than four months from the date of issue and the loan is interest-free until that date.

(website icon: https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/awards/sgs-emergency-loan/)

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

The Master of Public Policy is an OSAP-approved program – you can find it by searching the OSAP website using the keywords “global affairs”.

OSAP is run by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, and funded by the provincial and federal governments. It is a need-based program that provides Ontario students with loans, grants, scholarships, and bursaries to help pay for tuition, books, mandatory fees, living costs, and transportation, based on a formula that compares educational costs to the student’s own income and assets.

(website icon: osap.gov.on.ca)

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
OGS (Ontario Graduate Scholarship)

Value of Award: $5,000 per term

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 MPP program: March 1, 2024 (International Students) and April 1, 2024 (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 MPP program accepts OGS application directly and is responsible for distributing the award. Current MPP1 and potential MPP students may apply for OGS using the on-line application form available for students to access via the SGS website or by clicking here.

The University of Toronto OGS application requires that students provide:

  • 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.

For information click here.

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council)

Value of Award: $17, 500 (CAD)

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 your application to the MPP program: December 1, 2023.

MPP 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 MPP1 students and students applying to the MPP program may apply for this award.

Although the MPP program does not have a formal thesis component, MPP students who receive SSHRC must enroll in either the MPP Reading Course (GLA2095H) or their MPP Capstone Paper (PPG2003H) to meet the research requirement of the SSHRC 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 term registration.
***SSHRC cannot be transferred to other schools. Students must use the award at University that awarded it to them.

Resources and Contact Information:

Loans for Canadian students from outside Ontario

Students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents may be eligible for financial assistance from their provincial governments. It is recommended that you apply for student loans at least 10 weeks prior to the start of the new academic year. Please note that you may only ever hold a student loan from one province. Please see the appropriate link below for information on the student loans offered by your province of residence.

You can find links to the student loan website of each Canadian province and territory on the U of T’s Finances webpage.

Centre for International Experience study abroad funding

The Centre for International Experience (CIE) offers various funding opportunities for students who are planning to study abroad in their second year of the MPP program. Please visit the CIE website for more information.

Other Scholarships & Awards

Students are encouraged to visit ULife for postings on various external and internal awards and bursaries open to students.  Students should be proactive when applying for external and internal funding.

Teaching & Research Assistants

The MPP program does not offer Teaching Assistant (TA) 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.

Professors often have personal grants through which they fund Research Assistant (RA) positions. Students seeking an RA position should contact professors directly. 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.

Students in Classroom
Graduate House at UofT

Housing

Grad House is the University of Toronto’s residence for graduate students. Students must apply directly for a spot – visit the Grad House website for more information, or visit the University’s website on off-campus housing for more housing options.