10.1 CENTRALLY ADMINISTERED FUNDING

Revisions approved
by CGPS Council October 27, 2022, under the Reimagine Graduate Funding proposal		 Implementation
November 1, 2022
Revisions approved
by CGPS Council November 28, 2024		 Implementation
December 1, 2024

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. In addition to Tri-Agency and donor funding, the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS) administers approximately $8.21 million of institutional funds to support graduate students. The majority of this funding is allocated to units through the Student Support Fund (SSF) and CGPS 75th Anniversary Scholarship programs. 

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, including the CGPS 75th allocations. 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.
  • Bursaries: Bursaries are funds distributed to students based on criteria that include an assessment of financial need.
  • Centrally administered funds: Also referred to as Institutional funds, these funds are received by CGPS for the purpose of 1) transferring to academic units to be used for graduate student funding and scholarships, and 2) funding CGPS administered scholarships.
  • CGPS-Adjudicated Scholarships: These are any scholarships that are centrally administered by CGPS and adjudicated by the Awards Committee or equivalent.  This does not include unit-administered scholarships funded by CGPS 75th allocations. 
  • 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.
  • Major Scholarship:  A scholarship that is equal to or more than $20,000 per annum.
  • Scholarship: Funding awarded on a competitive basis that may be paid as a lump sum or through monthly payments.

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. Application deadlines for scholarships and awards are set annually by the Director of Scholarships and Awards, CGPS.  The application requirements are published, and the guidelines are available well in advance of application deadlines.

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.

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 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 (less than $20,000) may be combined with major scholarships.

Eligibility for Bursaries
  • Bursaries are restricted to full-time registered graduate students.  There may be other criteria, depending on the terms of reference. 
  • Students cannot concurrently hold a major scholarship and needs-based bursaries, even if other eligibility requirements are met.
  • 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 (CGPS Policy 18.7) 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 student's 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 some scholarships and will be indicated in the terms of reference for the scholarship and communicated in the award letters to students.

Leaves and Deferrals

 Deferral: Students receiving CGPS-administered scholarships will be able to request a deferral of the scholarship for up to one year prior to the start date, 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
Leave: Some CGPS-administered awards allow for a parental leave subsidy.  Students holding one of these centrally administered awards will be automatically considered as part of the parental leave process. 

Funds Allocated to Units Delivering Graduate Programs
  • Central funds are allocated annually to the units by CGPS. Wherever possible, allocations will be committed for multiple years (for example a three-year rolling commitment and confirmed amounts will be communicated in early December to faciliate recruitment).
  • 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 the Director of Graduate Scholarships and Awards Services. Unit-specific policies for distributing the funds require approval from the Director of Graduate Scholarships and Awards Services.

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   

As defined by administering unit. 

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) 

Tri-agency Master's top-up made by CGPS. 

$6,000 

Concurrent with holding the CGS-M. 

Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholars (a) 

Tri-agency doctoral top-up made by CGPS. 

$7,500 

Per year, up to 4 yrs. 

Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholars (b) 

Vanier Scholars top-up made by CGPS. 

$10,000 

Per year, up to 3 yrs. 

Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholars (c) 

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

$28,000 

Per year, up to 2 yrs. 

Dean’s Doctoral Scholars – Domestic 

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

$24,000 

Per year 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 

Per year 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 

Per year up to 2 yrs. 

Indigenous Graduate Leadership Award Doctoral 

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

$25,000 

Per year 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 

Up to 5 yrs. of funding per project.