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Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) in Canada: A Complete Guide for Aspiring Students

 

Table of Contents

  1. Overview of the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Program
  2. OGS – Scholarship Value and Duration
  3. Eligibility Criteria for the OGS Program
  4. Application Process
  5. Participating Ontario Universities
  6. Selection Criteria

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is a prestigious award that aims to support excellence in graduate studies at the master’s and doctoral levels. Offered by the government of Ontario in collaboration with participating universities, the scholarship is designed to attract outstanding students from across Canada and around the world. 

 

Scholarship Value and Duration

The OGS provides the following financial support:

  • Value: $5,000 per academic term
  • Duration: The scholarship can be awarded for a minimum of one term and up to a maximum of three terms, amounting to a total value of $15,000.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, applicants must meet several criteria:

  1. Academic Requirements:

    • Applicants must have maintained a minimum average of 80% (or equivalent) in each of the last two completed years of study. 

    • Students entering the first or second year of graduate studies at the time of application deadline must have achieved a first-class average (at least 3.70/4.30 or A‐, or the equivalent) in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent).

    • Students entering the third year or beyond of graduate studies at the time of application deadline must have an overall average of at least A-, or the equivalent, on all graduate courses completed.

    • If master’s or doctoral degree marks used for calculating an applicant’s grade point average (GPA) are not available (e.g., courses were graded on a pass/fail basis), then SGPS will use the most recently available university marks to calculate an applicant’s GPA.

  2. Enrollment:

    • Applicants must be enrolled in or plan to enroll in a full-time graduate program (master’s or doctoral) at an eligible Ontario university.
    • The program must be at an eligible institution that participates in the OGS program.

  3. Residency Status:

    • A Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident or Protected Person [under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protections Act (Canada)] at the time of the OGS application deadline date.
    • International students who are studying in Ontario with a student study permit under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) are eligible for the allotted international student award.

  4. Study Permits (for International Students):

    • International students must hold a valid study permit at the time of the application and throughout the duration of the study period for which the OGS is awarded.

Application Process

The application process for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship varies slightly between universities, but the general procedure is as follows:

  1. Choose Your Institution:

    • Identify the Ontario university where you wish to pursue your graduate studies and confirm its participation in the OGS program.

  2. Check University-Specific Deadlines:

    • Each university has its own deadlines and application procedures, so it’s crucial to review these details on the university’s website.

  3. Prepare Required Documents:

    • Most applications require academic transcripts, a research proposal, a statement of interest, and reference letters.

  4. Submit Your Application:

    • Applications are submitted directly to the graduate studies office of the respective university. Make sure to adhere to their specific guidelines and deadlines.

Participating Universities

Several Ontario universities participate in the OGS program, including:

  • University of Toronto
  • University of Waterloo
  • York University
  • University of Ottawa
  • Queen’s University
  • Western University

Make sure to check the specific details and deadlines for the OGS at the university where you plan to apply.

Deadline

The web-based OGS application and supporting documentation must be submitted  by December 1, 2024 at 8 p.m. (ET)

If the December 1 deadline falls on a weekend, the application deadline is the following business day by 8 p.m. EST.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply

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