Graduate Students are vital members of our learning environment here at York and we are committed to supporting the achievement of their academic goals including timely completion of their studies.
In addition to providing a vibrant and diverse educational experience, the overall funding package available to our graduate students is key to their success. York’s graduate funding model offers eligible full-time domestic and international graduate students consistent funds throughout the academic year.
Structure
Driven by the principles of academic excellence, York’s funding model offers competitive funding packages to support graduate students in research-based master’s and doctoral programs.
Minimum Funding Commitment
- Covers tuition, and is indexed to increases in tuition fees
- A component of the minimum funding commitment is the York Fellowship
- Varies between domestic and international students to reflect differential fees
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is York’s funding model?
Funding in the form of a York Fellowship is part of each funding package and is pro-rated so that students receive equal payments in each term in which they are registered active and in full-time status. This important structure supports students and enhances their academic experience.
The funding model is indexed to cover increases in tuition fees.
Detailed charts demonstrating previous vs. current funding structures can be found in the Standard Funding Package Details tab below.
If I am a part-time or unfunded student, will I receive funding through this funding model?
The funding model is only applicable to full-time graduate students who have been offered a funding commitment upon admission.
How does this model impact students’ work as Graduate Assistants (GAs)?
Students may apply for GAs through the normal posting process as identified in the CUPE 3903 Unit 3 Collective Agreement. GA funding is in addition to the Fellowship.
Please visit CUPE Jobs for more information.
How does this model impact graduate recruitment?
Prospective students receive more transparent funding details when offered admission to assist them in making a conscious decision of where to enroll and to better compare York’s offer with other institutions.
Doesn’t the Fellowship allow us to earn more money by accepting more work?
The Fellowship provides funding to grad students, but does not prevent graduate students from seeking out, and securing, CUPE 3903 work assignments. If a graduate student secures a CUPE 3903 work assignment, the funding model will allow the student to continue to receive Fellowship payments throughout the academic year. Depending on the type of CUPE 3903 work assignment, the Fellowship may be subject to adjustment.
The funding model also aims to help graduate students plan their finances more effectively, as students are able to see how any incoming additional funding (such as internal/external scholarships, and awards) works with the Fellowship.
What is the difference between a Teaching Assistant (TA), Graduate Assistant (GA) and Research Assistant (RA)?
Learn more by visiting the Faculty Relations’ Types of Work Performed by Graduate Students page.
How does this model affect tuition indexation?
The minimum funding commitment is indexed to increases in tuition fees. This means that in cases in which the minimum funding commitment is met through a Fellowship, the Fellowship itself is indexed for increases in tuition.
Does the Fellowship vary between domestic and international students to reflect differential fees?
Yes, differential fees are accounted for in the Fellowship.
I see additional charges in my student account – why doesn’t the York Fellowship cover this?
There are two categories of fees that, while paid automatically if you have a credit balance in your student account, are not covered by the York Fellowship and/or applicable scholarships and awards. In other words, the Fellowship is not indexed to account for the following fees: Referenda fees (approximately $111 per term), and Registration fees (approximately $15 per term).
If you do not have a credit balance in your student account, you are required to complete any outstanding fee payments.
How is the Fellowship impacted for a student holding a Tri-Council scholarship?
If a graduate student receives an external Tri-Council scholarship, part of the scholarship will count towards the York Fellowship.
How is the Fellowship impacted for a student holding an Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)?
If a graduate student receives an Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), the University’s contribution of $5,000 towards the overall value of the OGS will be used to count towards the York Fellowship.
How is the Fellowship impacted for a student holding an Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS)?
If a doctoral international student receives an Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS), the York International Doctoral Fellowship will count towards the University’s contribution to the overall value of the OTS.
Are internal York University awards part of or on top of the Fellowship?
Internal awards that are fully supported by donor funds do not impact the Fellowship. For matching funds internal awards that are partially supported by the university, the portion of the university contribution will count towards the Fellowship. Further details are available on the specific internal award webpage.
How do Research Assistantships (RAs) count?
If you receive any funds in the form of a Research Assistantship, these funds may be in addition to your minimum funding commitment that is intended to cover the cost of tuition and ancillary fees.
Do bursaries count towards the Fellowship?
No, bursaries (defined as any award whose sole criterion is financial need) do not count toward the Fellowship.
How are health care costs covered?
Graduate students who receive a York Fellowship as part of their graduate funding who are not covered by CUPE Unit 1 and/or Unit 3 healthcare benefits are provided with a $1,000 York University Health Care Graduate Bursary accessed through their student account, to be used for extended health care coverage for students who do not have an alternative plan.
Currently, graduate students are automatically enrolled in the health care plan managed by the York University Graduate Students’ Association (YUGSA) if they do not have CUPE coverage. This health care plan costs $410—the charge shows up as “GSA Health Care” in the student account in October. In order to opt-out, students are required to demonstrate that they have comparable health and dental coverage in addition to OHIP and UHIP. Students can de-enrol in the YUGSA health care plan by visiting YUGSA—Opt-In & Out.
For example, if a graduate student is enrolled in the YUGSA health care plan ($410 cost), they will have $590 left from the $1,000 York University Health Care Graduate Bursary for health care needs that arise throughout the year. If a student has demonstrated extended health care coverage elsewhere e.g. through the benefit plan of a spouse, they can use the York University Health Care Graduate Bursary for other expenditures.
Will the YUGSA health care plan provide the same coverage graduate students received prior to the Fellowship?
Please visit York University Graduate Students’ Association (YUGSA)—Health Plan for further details on coverage.
Is there any access to emergency funds?
Yes, graduate students can apply for emergency funds by visiting the Office of the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies. Students can also connect with the York University Graduate Students’ Association (YUGSA) through their Donations & Loans program.
Is academic and professional financial support available under the funding model?
Graduate students seeking financial support for academic pursuits can apply for RSF (CUPE), FCF, or reach out to their graduate program.
For professional development-related activities, FGS works closely with MITACS through the Graduate Professional Skills (GPS) program, which provides funding through their Accelerate Program.
What supports/resources do graduate students have under their funding commitment?
The Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities (CSRR) provides graduate students general protections on all non-academic student conduct. Additionally, graduate students are encouraged to seek assistance from the Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion through their Case Resolution Services.
For graduate students with disabilities, Student Accessibility Services provides support for learning, mental health, and physical, sensory and medical disabilities.
If a graduate student applies for and receives a CUPE 3903 work assignment, they would receive any disability-related accommodations as outlined in the CUPE 3903 Collective Agreements.
How do funds appear in my student account and, and how do they get disbursed to my bank account?
The Understanding your Student Account and Funding Package guide covers the administration of fees and disbursement of funding in greater detail. We encourage you to visit the Funding Guide webpage to learn more.
Funding Package Details
Note: The following are overviews of standard funding packages outlining general sources. These are the most common funding scenarios. If your funding scenario is different, contact your program for a precise breakdown.
Standard Funding Package Details
| Funding Sources | Value |
|---|---|
| Master’s Fellowship | 19,256 |
| FGS Healthcare Bursary | 1,000 |
| UHIP | 756 |
| Funding through Student Account Deposits | 21,012 |
| Program and Registration Fees | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | 18,825 |
| Supplementary Fees (subject to change) | 891 |
| York University Graduate Student Health Plan | 410 |
| UHIP | 756 |
| Registration Fees | 45 |
| Total Fees posted to student account | 20,927 |
| Student Receives (Funding less Fees) | 85 |
| Funding Sources | Value |
|---|---|
| Teaching Assistantship (1.0 Tutor 1) (will vary based contract job classification) | 13,876 |
| Vacation Pay (will vary based contract job classification) | 555 |
| Funding through Payroll | 14,431 |
| Master’s Fellowship | 8,467 |
| Supplementary Graduate Assistance (Grant-in-Aid) (will vary based contract job classification) | 4,582 |
| UHIP Fund | 756 |
| Graduate Financial Assistance | 4,227 |
| ITO | 7,533 |
| Funding through Student Account Deposits | 25,565 |
| Total Funding (Payroll plus Student Account) | 39,996 |
| Program and Registration Fees | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | 18,825 |
| Supplementary Fees (subject to change) | 891 |
| UHIP | 756 |
| Registration Fees | 45 |
| Total Fees posted to student account | 20,517 |
| Student Receives (Funding less Fees) | 19,479 |
| Funding Sources | Value |
|---|---|
| Master’s Fellowship | 10,000 |
| FGS Healthcare Bursary | 1,000 |
| Funding through Student Account Deposits | 11,000 |
| Program and Registration Fees | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (net of ancillary fees) | 4,307 |
| Supplementary Fees (subject to change) | 891 |
| York University Graduate Student Health Plan | 410 |
| Registration Fees | 45 |
| Total Fees posted to student account | 5,653 |
| Student Receives (Funding less Fees) | 5,347 |
| Funding Sources | Value |
|---|---|
| Teaching Assistantship (1.0 Tutor 1) (will vary based contract job classification) | 13,876 |
| Vacation Pay (will vary based contract job classification) | 555 |
| Funding through Payroll | 14,431 |
| Master’s Fellowship | 5,403 |
| Supplementary Graduate Assistance (Grant-in-Aid) (will vary based contract job classification) | 4,582 |
| Graduate Financial Assistance | 2,532 |
| Funding through Student Account Deposits | 12,517 |
| Total Funding (Payroll plus Student Account) | 26,948 |
| Program and Registration Fees | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (net of ancillary fees) | 4,307 |
| Supplementary Fees (subject to change) | 891 |
| Registration Fees | 45 |
| Total Fees posted to student account | 5,243 |
| Student Receives (Funding less Fees) | 21,705 |
Domestic PhD
Term 1–6 with TA (Years 1 and 2)
| Funding Sources | Value |
|---|---|
| Teaching Assistantship (1.0 Tutor 1) (will vary based contract job classification) | 13,876 |
| Vacation Pay (will vary based contract job classification) | 555 |
| Funding through Payroll | 14,431 |
| PhD Fellowship | 5,403 |
| Supplementary Graduate Assistance (Grant-in-Aid) (will vary based contract job classification) | 4,582 |
| Graduate Financial Assistance | 2,532 |
| Funding through Student Account Deposits | 12,517 |
| Total Funding (Payroll plus Student Account) | 26,948 |
| Program and Registration Fees | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (net of ancillary fees) | 4,307 |
| Supplementary Fees (subject to change) | 891 |
| Registration Fees | 45 |
| Total Fees posted to student account | 5,243 |
| Student Receives (Funding less Fees) | 21,705 |
Domestic PhD
Terms 7-15 with TA (Years 3-5)
| Funding Sources | Value |
|---|---|
| Teaching Assistantship (1.0 Tutor 1) (will vary based contract job classification) | 13,876 |
| Vacation Pay (will vary based contract job classification) | 555 |
| Funding through Payroll | 14,431 |
| PhD Fellowship | 5,403 |
| Supplementary Graduate Assistance (Grant-in-Aid) (will vary based contract job classification) | 4,582 |
| Graduate Financial Assistance Priority Pool 2 | 3,171 |
| Funding through Student Account Deposits | 13,156 |
| Total Funding (Payroll plus Student Account) | 27,587 |
| Program and Registration Fees | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (net of ancillary fees) | 4,307 |
| Supplementary Fees (subject to change) | 891 |
| Registration Fees | 45 |
| Total Fees posted to student account | 5,243 |
| Student Receives (Funding less Fees) | 22,344 |
* Total before taxes deducted
International PhD
Term 1-6 with TA (Years 1 and 2)
| Funding Sources | Value |
|---|---|
| Teaching Assistantship (1.0 Tutor 1) (will vary based contract job classification) | 13,876 |
| Vacation Pay (will vary based contract job classification) | 555 |
| Funding through Payroll | 14,431 |
| PhD Fellowship | 8,467 |
| Supplementary Graduate Assistance (Grant-in-Aid) (will vary based contract job classification) | 4,582 |
| UHIP Fund | 756 |
| Graduate Financial Assistance Priority Pool 1 | 4,227 |
| ITO | 6,709 |
| Funding through Student Account Deposits | 24,741 |
| Total Funding (Payroll plus Student Account) | 39,172 |
| Program and Registration Fees | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | 18,000 |
| Supplementary Fees (subject to change) | 891 |
| UHIP | 756 |
| Registration Fees | 45 |
| Total Fees posted to student account | 19,692 |
| Student Receives (Funding less Fees) | 19,480 |
International PhD
Terms 7-15 with TA (Years 3-5)
| Funding Sources | Value |
|---|---|
| Teaching Assistantship (1.0 Tutor 1) (will vary based contract job classification) | 13,876 |
| Vacation Pay (will vary based contract job classification) | 555 |
| Funding through Payroll | 14,431 |
| PhD Fellowship | 7,837 |
| Supplementary Graduate Assistance (Grant-in-Aid) (will vary based contract job classification) | 4,582 |
| UHIP Fund | 756 |
| Graduate Financial Assistance Priority Pool 2 | 5,040 |
| ITO | 6,709 |
| Funding through Student Account Deposits | 24,924 |
| Total Funding (Payroll plus Student Account) | 39,355 |
| Program and Registration Fees | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | 18,000 |
| Supplementary Fees (subject to change) | 891 |
| UHIP | 756 |
| Registration Fees | 45 |
| Total Fees posted to student account | 19,692 |
| Student Receives (Funding less Fees) | 19,663 |
*Total before taxes deducted
Note: The content on this page is currently in the process of being updated and may be periodically unavailable while it is under construction. Thank you for your patience.
For more information on funding, visit the Understanding your Student Account and Funding Package webpage.
For information on tuition and fees, visit the Student Financial Services Course and Program Fees webpage.
Contact
Please contact your Graduate Program Assistant for further information regarding York’s graduate funding model.