Emergency Funding

The Wilfrid Laurier University Graduate Students’ Association (WLUGSA) has a limited amount of funding available for graduate students with unforeseen emergency expenses. The funding is available only for currently enrolled graduate students. Please be aware that this funding is to be accessed only after the student’s department and the Office of Graduate Studies have been contacted for financial assistance. The funding is able to be used in conjunction with other sources of emergency funding. Funding is generally granted on a one-time-only basis.

The GSA Policy on Extraordinary or Bridge Funding (emergency funding) is included below. Reading it may help you determine whether or not you are eligible for emergency funding.

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Parental Health and Dental Assistance for Doctoral Students

This Assistance will commence September 2010 and conclude September 2012. The GSA Parental Health and Dental Assistance for Doctoral Students is available to any PhD Student who is in the first through fourth year of his/her studies and who is on temporary leave for parental reasons. This Assistance will allow one Wilfrid Laurier University graduate student parent to opt into the health and dental plan for free. It will also allow his/her child to be opted in to the health and dental plan as well. The administration fee will be waived if a spouse or additional dependent(s)s are added to either or both plans.

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Assistance for Students Attending Conferences

This Assistance for Students Attending Conferences (ASAC) is available to all graduate students. For conferences less than 800 kilometres away, students are eligible for support to a maximum of $100 for attending a conference, $200 for giving a poster presentation, or $300 for giving an oral presentation. Students attending or presenting at conferences 800 or more kilometres from Laurier may be awarded up to $500 in funding assistance to help cover additional travel expenses.

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Ontario Student Award             *Jan 31 Deadline*

All full-time graduate students who are classified as Ontario residents are eligible to apply for this $500 bursary. There are six bursaries in total awarded once a year. The Ontario Student Award (OSA) is funded in partnership with the Ontario government’s Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund program. Complete the application, available at the GSA office or on the website, and attach a short summary of your extra-curricular activities within and outside the University. Return the completed application to the GSA office by January 31st. Successful applicant(s) will usually be informed of the Committee’s decision by mid-February. For more information, contact the GSA office. (Download application form)

Ray Owens Award         *Jan 31 Deadline*

All graduate students who are Canadian residents are eligible to apply for this $500 bursary (although, owing to the existence of the OSB, priority will be given to non-Ontario residents). There are four bursaries in total awarded once a year. The Ray Owens Bursary is awarded in memory of Ray Owens, a founding member of the Graduate Students’ Association. Complete the application, available at the GSA office or on the website, and attach a short summary of your extra-curricular activities within and outside the University. Return the completed application to the GSA office by January 31st. Successful applicant(s) will usually be informed of the Committee’s decision by mid-February. For more information, contact the GSA office. (Download application form)

International Student Award         *Jan 31 Deadline*

All graduate students who are international students (on study visas, not exchange students) are eligible to apply for this $1000 bursary. There are three bursaries in total, each awarded once a year. Complete the application, available at the GSA office or on our website, and attach a short summary of your extra-curricular activities within and outside the University. Return the completed application to the GSA office by January 31st. Successful applicant(s) will usually be informed of the Committee’s decision by mid-February. For more information, contact the GSA office. (Download application form)

Professional Development Award         *Jan 31 Deadline*

Graduate programs at WLU are comprehensive in terms of the academic course load they deliver. However, they do not necessarily provide professionalization opportunities. Graduate students wishing to augment their skills by enrolling in development programs (such as skills workshops or language courses) can apply for the Professional Development Fund.

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Externship Assistance         *Jan 31 Deadline*

If you are a graduate student who plans on pursuing academic research and/or work terms external to the University, you may be eligible for this bursary.  A minimum of $100 will be awarded to each successful applicant, but individual assistance will not typically exceed $500.

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Assistance for Academic Events

The purpose of the Assistance for Academic Events grant is to help defray the cost of sponsoring a speaker, workshop, conference or other academically oriented event put on by or for graduate students at WLU that further the goals of the Association as outlined in its constitution. You must apply for funding at least four weeks prior to your event. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning on May 1st of each fiscal year. (Download application form)

Assistance for Social Events

The purpose of the Assistance for Social Events grant is to help defray the cost of sponsoring a socially oriented event put on by or for graduate students at WLU that further the goals of the Association as outlined in its constitution. You must apply for funding at least four weeks prior to your event. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning on May 1st of each fiscal year. (Download application form)