Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program: A Brief Guide

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship program has been offering merit-based, annual scholarships to deserving students since 1975. Eligible students can start graduate studies to complete a Master’s degree, Ph.D., or doctorate at listed universities in Ontario with the help of the scholarship. 

Every award is collectively funded by the school offering the award (one-third) and the province of Ontario (two-thirds).

If you wish to enroll in this program and want to avail the benefits of this award, you are at the right place! Read on as we take you through the Ontario Graduate Scholarship program details.

 Eligibility Criteria 

You must fulfill the eligibility criteria to apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship program. They have been notified below for your reference:

1. You should be a Canadian citizen, or

2.  A permanent resident, or

3. A protected individual under section 95 subsection 2 in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Canada, or

4. An international student, studying or planning to study in a participating Ontario School under a temporary resident visa or a student study permit.

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The participating schools are as follows: 

1. Brock University

2. Carleton University

3. University of Guelph

4. Lakehead University

5. Laurentian University

6. McMaster University

7. Nipissing University

8. OCAD University

9. Ontario Tech University

10. University of Ottawa

11. Queen’s University

12. Ryerson University

13. University of Toronto

14. Trent University

15. University of Waterloo

16. Western University

17. Wilfrid Laurier University

18. University of Windsor

19. York University 

• You should be registered or intending to register in an eligible program full-time in the 2022 to 2023 session for two or more terms (21 to 52 weeks in total). 
• You will participate in graduate studies to pursue a master’s or doctoral level program.
• The applicant should not have exceeded the lifetime total of government-funded support or the maximum OGS/QEII support available for their present level of study.
• You should have achieved at least A- (or equivalent) in both the last two years of study (full-time equivalent).

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OR

Suppose the student has finished two years or more of their graduate studies during the time of application. In that case, the applicant must demonstrate an overall average of at least tA- or equivalent on all the completed graduate courses. 

• You will not be applicable for this scholarship if you have been convicted of any offense under the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act, the Canada Student Loans Act, or the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act.

OR

You have been convicted under the Criminal code of theft or fraud concerning any student assistance program or award or loan grant by the Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada, or the government of any other territory or province of Canada.

• You cannot work for more than 10 hours/week on average every academic term.

Benefits of Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship program award is given to students for a single two- or three-term academic year in any non-professional graduate program. The terms must be essentially consecutive. 

OGS awards will be based on the terms of the consecutive studies within one academic year:

• CAD 10,000(INR 5,80,000) for two consecutive terms of study. 
• CAD 15,000(INR 8,70,000) for three consecutive terms of study.

Each Ontario Graduate Scholarship program award is issued for:

• At least one academic year (Two or Three consecutive academic terms). 
• At a maximum of two years (up to six consecutive terms)

Life Time Maximums

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship program awards maximums are:

• Master’s students: Two academic years
• Doctoral students: Four academic years
• Lifetime limit (all students): Six academic years

Out of the total 3000 scholarships awarded every year, 90 are specifically for students with a temporary resident visa and are members of the student class according to the Federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. 

Documents Required for Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program

So, once you are eligible for the scholarship, it’s time to get the paperwork ready. The complete application package must include the following:

• The application form containing personal data on the first page, education information on the second page, notice, consent, declaration, and the applicant’s signature on the third page. You can add any additional details on the fourth page.
• You should attach the official university transcript of your applicable undergraduate and graduate studies by the end of the August of the particular year when the application is sent across.
• Two academic assessment reports are required and must be signed by the referees. If attachments are included here, they must be complete and signed by the referees.
• Foreign applicants with a student visa must include a temporary resident visa student class documentation.
• A summary sheet signed by the student. 
• A self-attested student checklist. 
• A plan of study or statement of interest. 
• List of all significant academic accomplishments. 
• All the awards and scholarships given to the student should be listed together.
• Canadian students must attach a Social Insurance Number (SIN). 

How to Apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program

To apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program, you will have to use your university’s OGS application. It will most likely be available in October.

Non-matriculating candidates should directly apply to the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities.

If you are applying to many graduate programs at different schools, you should submit the OGS application for each school.

If you face any troubles, contact the Graduate Studies Office at the university that you will attend to get details on their application processing.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program Important Dates 

The application, documentation, and review date details for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship program vary by university. It would be best to contact the university’s Graduate Studies Office for further information. 

You would be sent a notification if the application was successful. 

Selection Criteria for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program

According to the reports sent to the ministry through an advisory agency named Selection Board (Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program), the selection process is carried out. The committee consists of a chairman and eight additional board members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario for an indefinite period.

The evaluation for the scholarship is merit-based, mainly based on research experience or previous awards or publications. The prior experiences and the study plan are also considered. Student profile valuation is done very carefully. 

Following is the weightage of various profile components for Master and Doctoral levels: 

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Masters level- OGS Selection Criteria 

Academic Excellence: 30%

Research potential and Statement of Interest: 30%

Personal Characteristics/Academic Assessment from Referees: 20% 

Doctoral Level- OGS Selection Criteria

Academic Excellence: 30%

Research Potential: 50%

Personal Characteristics/Academic Assessment from Referees: 20%