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Graduate Program in Public Policy, Administration and Law Faculty of Graduate Studies
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Financial Support

Because the MPPAL is a professional program, financial support is limited. We administer a small bursary program exclusive to our students. Support is offered on a demonstrated needs basis and competitive, i.e. because funds are limited, we are not able to support every student who applies. Prospective students should ensure they have sufficient funds before starting the program.

MPPAL students may also be eligible for support through OSAP. Note that OSAP for part-time students is limited to a maximum of $ 10,000.

At this time, only a limited number of awards are available to part-time students who are in a professional program like the MPPAL.

For instance, MPPAL students are eligible to apply for the Annear/Bertram Family Graduate Award thanks to the generosity of the MPPAL program's founding director, Prof. Ian Greene and his family. A second award from the Greene family, the Ian Greene & Eilonwy Morgan Award will be available starting in the Fall of 2025.

For more general information on scholarship, bursary and awards opportunities available to graduate students at York, please consult the following pages:

While awards for part-time students are more limited, full-time MPPAL students are eligible for a larger number of awards. Top, incoming students are also eligible for SSHRC Master's Scholarships (CGS-M) and Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS) since the MPPAL contains a significant research component (e.g. a Major Research Paper or equivalent).

Each year, the School of Public Policy & Administration recognizes its outstanding students and alumni for their contributions to advancing its undergraduate and graduate programs at a special awards dinner in the fall.

The Alumni Recognition Award acknowledges exceptional contributions made by one alumnus/a of the School’s programs to the activities and programs of the School as well as to the mentoring of students and new professionals.

The Graduate Student Award acknowledges exceptional contributions made by one current student or recent graduate student to the activities and programs of the School.

Recipients will have enhanced student experience by active engagement in the Faculty, either inside or outside of the classroom or through involvement with a student association.

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes a current student or recent alumnus/alumna of the School who is an emerging leader within the broader public sector (including the non-profit sector) and represents the ideals, values and abilities of sound, responsible and engaging public policy and administration in congruence with the School's vision to promote Good Governance. The Award recipient will normally have 5-8 years of work experience in the broader public sector.

The Foster – Greene Award for Excellence in Public Policy, Administration and Law recognizes an alumnus/alumna of the MPPAL program whose work has demonstrably and significantly advanced social justice, human rights, ethics and good governance in congruence with the MPPAL program’s founding principles. The Award recipient will normally have min. 10 years of work experience in the broader public/NGO sector.

Nominations for the above awards are invited from faculty, staff, individual students and alumni, as well as associations of students, alumni, and friends of the School. Nominations require a one page statement of the accomplishments of the individual as well as a copy of her or his resume.

All nominations are sent to the Awards Committee which consists of all three SPPA Directors, a current GSAPPAL (graduate), PPASA (undergraduate) student and an Alumni Association representative.

Nominations are typically received by the spring of each year.

The MPPAL “best MRP award" is given to an MPPAL student for the most outstanding Major Research Paper (or 'Topics' course equivalent) submitted in a given academic year.

Nomination letters by supervising faculty members (or Topics course instructors) must be received after the completion of the MRP (or the Topics course paper) until mid October and are adjudicated by the MPPAL Bursary & Awards Committee.

This prize is awarded to three graduating students in the MPPAL Program who have achieved the highest grade-point averages in the program.

Recipients will be selected by the MPPAL Bursary & Awards Committee according to their grade point average.  In the event that more than three students are tied for achieving the highest grade-point averages, the Committee, at its discretion, may decide to present the award to between one and five students.

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The Graduate Program in Public Policy, Administration and Law at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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