10.1 CENTRALLY ADMINISTERED FUNDING

Revisions approved
by CGPS Council October 27, 2022, under the Reimagine Graduate Funding proposal
Implementation
November 1, 2022

There are a variety of funding sources for graduate students at the University of Saskatchewan. Many students are supported by a combination of awards, fellowships, or scholarships from university-wide competitions, department-specific opportunities, and national or external awards.

PURPOSE:  To set regulations and guidelines in the awarding and administration of centrally provided graduate scholarships, awards, and bursaries.  The policy is intended to support equitable adjudication of these Scholarships and Awards.

SCOPE:  The College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS) has delegated authority from the University Council Scholarship and Awards Committee for Graduate Scholarships and Awards. This policy applies to institutional and endowed funds administered through CGPS and those institutional funds transferred to academic units that are used as scholarships for graduate students. Each type of funding has specific terms of reference that must also adhere to these general regulations. 

DEFINITIONS:

  • Award:  Funding provided based on past performance as a lump sum.
  • Major Scholarship:  A scholarship that is equal to or more than $17,500 per annum.
  • Bursaries: Bursaries are funds distributed to students based on criteria that include an assessment of financial need.
  • Scholarship: Funding awarded on a competitive basis that may be paid as a lump sum or through monthly payments.
  • Full Scholarship: A scholarship valued sufficiently to allow students to engage in their studies without the need for additional employment.
  • Full-time graduate student: Graduate students enrolled in 6 or more credit units in a term are considered full-time. If no courses are required or finished all courses, registering in the 992, 994, 995, or 996 meets the full-time status.

10.2. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Scholarships are awarded based on inclusive academic excellence as well as criteria set out in the terms of reference for individual scholarships.

CGPS is committed to equitable and holistic adjudication of all applications and nominations and will continue to adopt best practices in compliance with the University Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policy

The Awards and Scholarship Committee has delegated authority to approve application requirements and processes for CGPS-adjudicated scholarships so long as they adhere to the standards set out in this policy.

Scholarships and other forms of graduate student financial support will be stewarded by CGPS and by units receiving scholarship allocations to maximize the impact on the recruitment and retention of graduate students.

The dollar value of scholarships will be reviewed periodically for competitiveness. In some cases, fewer scholarships of a higher amount may be awarded to preserve the value of the scholarships when additional resources cannot be secured.

Applications

  • Application deadlines for scholarships and awards are set annually by the Director of Scholarships and Awards, CGPS.
  • The application requirements are published, and the applications are available well in advance of application deadlines.
  • For specific scholarships and awards, internal ranking and/or nomination of applications to CGPS is required and will be completed by academic units.

Eligibility for CGPS-Adjudicated Scholarships

 

  • Scholarships are restricted to full-time registered graduate students in a thesis or dissertation unless indicated otherwise in the terms of reference for the scholarship program.
  • Students must maintain continuous registration as a full-time student meeting all requirements for such status to receive scholarship payments.
  • Students who are faculty are not eligible for graduate scholarships. Students who are employees of a collective agreement of the university are eligible for scholarships and awards unless the terms of reference of a particular award state otherwise.
  • Applicants must meet the minimum standard of first-class standing as a grade point average (equivalent to 80% in the University of Saskatchewan grading system) based on the last 60 credits or equivalent to 2 years of full-time study.  Details for calculating grade point averages for master's and Ph.D. students are in the procedures.
  • A student may not hold two major internal institutional scholarships at the same time, or a major institutional scholarship and a major external scholarship. Top-up awards and honorary scholarships at a reduced value may be combined with major scholarships.

Eligibility for Bursaries

  • Needs-based graduate bursaries: Students must not concurrently hold a major scholarship and meet the eligibility of the specific bursary.
  • The Director of Scholarships and Awards (CGPS) has the authority to award bursaries and may seek guidance from the Dean or the Chair of the Awards Committee as needed.

Academic Unit-Adjudicated CGPS-funded Scholarships

  • The process for adjudicating scholarships should follow the Graduate Committee Guidelines (new policy) for best practices on equitable applications and adjudications.

Maintenance of Scholarships and Changes to Academic Standing

  • If a student is required to discontinue due to poor academic performance and/or progress in research, scholarship payments will be stopped at the end of the deadline to appeal the required to discontinue decision issued by the Associate Dean.  If the student appeals, payments will continue until the appeal is decided or the end of the scholarship term, whichever is first.

Renewal of scholarship

  • To continue to receive scholarships students must remain in good standing in their program. Good standing includes maintaining the required average in coursework over an academic year of over 80% and a passing grade in each course. For project-based and thesis-based master's and Ph.D. programs, students must also maintain satisfactory progress in research as evaluated at least annually by the advisory committee. Exceptions to these criteria can be made upon approval of the Dean, CGPS or designate.
  • Higher cumulative GPA standing may be required for scholarships and will be indicated in the terms of reference for the scholarship and communicated in the award letters to students.

Leaves and Deferrals

  • Students receiving CGPS-administered scholarships will be able to request a deferral of the scholarship for up to one year, as approved on a case-by-case basis by CGPS’ Director of Graduate Awards and Scholarships based on the following reasons:
    • Parental or medical leave, and/or family-related responsibilities (based on the criteria established by the Tri-Agencies)
    • Delay in receiving study permit
    • Awarded a major external award in the same year they hold a CGPS-administered scholarship
  • Students on parental leave with a deferred scholarship may apply for a parental leave subsidy (details TBD).

Funds Allocated to Units Delivering Graduate Programs

  • Where funds are allocated to the units by CGPS, the allocations will be provided annually and communicated in early December to facilitate recruitment. Wherever possible, allocations will be committed for multiple years (for example a three-year rolling commitment).
  • The formulas used for the allocation will be available and units may request to see the data used to calculate their allocations.
  • The procedures for distributing the funds are under the authority of CGPS’ Director of Scholarships and Awards.

10.3. CENTRAL FUNDING PROGRAM OVERVIEW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CORE PROGRAMS 

Funding stream 

Overview 

Eligibility/Value 

Term 

 

Student Support Fund (SSF) 

Formula based allocation provided directly to units. Annually allocated by CGPS. 

Highly flexible, can be used for TA, SA, RA, or stipend support | unit determines award values   

 

College of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies 75th Anniversary Recruitment Scholarship (a) 

Formula based allocation provided directly to units. 

*Units must commit to providing all incoming PhD students minimum funding of at least $20K for 4 years. 

 

Incoming Masters (thesis) or PhD students. 

Master's: $10,000

PhD: $20,000

 

1 year minimum. Students may receive multiple years. 

College of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies 75th Anniversary Recruitment Scholarship (b) 

All Master’s students who are successful in Tri-agency (CGS-M) competitions during the academic year will receive a top-up from CGPS. 

$6,000 

Concurrent with holding the CGS-M. 

Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholars (a) 

Tri-agency doctoral top-up made by CGPS. 

$7,500 

Up to 4 yrs. 

Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholars (b) 

Vanier Scholars top-up made by CGPS. 

$10,500 

Up to 4 yrs. 

Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholars (c) 

Not an open application. Full scholarship. Leverages the Tri-agency application pool. 

$28,000 

Up to 2 yrs. 

Dean’s Doctoral Scholars – Domestic 

Recipients awarded through Tri-agency CGS-D adjudication process.

$24,000 

Up to 2 yrs. 

Dean’s Doctoral Scholars – International 

Open application to international students up to the 4th year in program. Open application simulates a Tri-agency experience. 

$24,000 

Up to 2 yrs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STRATEGIC AND SPECIALTY FUNDS 

Indigenous Graduate Leadership Award Master’s 

Open to Master’s students within the first 3 years of their program. 

$20,000 

Up to 2 yrs. 

Indigenous Graduate Leadership Award Doctoral 

Open to PhD students within the first 5 years of their program.  

$25,000 

Up to 4 yrs. 

Indigenous Recruitment Awards 

 TBD 

 

 

Teacher-Doctoral Scholar 

Open to doctoral students in the 2nd to 5th year of their program. 

Unit must provide sessional employment funding to successful recipients. 

$15,000 

1 yr. 

Internship Funding 

TBD 

 

 

 

CGPS Matching Funds for External Funding Training Programs 

Match commitments made in conjunction with the Office of the Vice-President Research (OVPR) during application to agencies. Programs that qualify include NSERC-CREATE, SSHRC Partnership Talent and CIHR Training Pilots. Others may be considered. 

Students enrolled in training program - $20,000/year 

5 yrs. of funding to program.