Emergency Assistance Grants

Emergency Undergraduate Grant

University of Toronto grants are intended to assist students with unmet need with respect to their educational expenses. It is expected that prior to applying for this grant, students will have explored all sources of funding such as family support, savings summer and study period income, OSAP or other government assistance programs, daycare subsidies, and bank lines of credit as appropriate. University of Toronto grants are not intended to fund non-educational expenses or to repay your debts. It is essential that you complete all four pages of this application. Insufficient information and/or documentation will affect the consideration of your application for a grant.

COVID-19 Emergency Undergraduate Grant

The COVID-19 Emergency Undergraduate Grant is intended to assist current U of T undergraduate domestic and international students impacted by COVID-19 and who need immediate short-term financial relief because of unexpected expenses. This grant is open to both part-time and full-time students.

Each request for emergency aid is considered on its own merits and based on need associated with an educational program and unexpected critical costs incurred by students as a direct result of COVID-19. Expenses that may be considered include living costs, travel home, moving costs, technolgy and other extraordinary and reasonable needs.

The grant is not able to cover expenses that are unrelated to COVID-19 and existing debt obligations or non-essential expenses. Examples of ineligible expenses are tuition fees to U of T; request for summer tuition fees for courses taken elsewhere; support for partner or family expenses; expenses for MCAT preparatory course; mortgage or maintenance fees for secondary residence and other discretionary expenses (e.g., missed car payment, gym membership).

Current U of T undergraduate students can apply for the COVID-19 Emergency Grant through the Undergraduate Grant portal.

2020-2021 Fall/Winter: Apply through the Undergraduate Grant Portal (starting October 1, 2020)

U of T undergraduate students can apply for the undergraduate grant through the Undergraduate Grant Portal Log in to the Undergraduate Grant Portal (available as of October 1, 2020). Select Start New Application to begin your application. Complete all sections of the application. Watch the videos under the Help section to view helpful tips for each section of the form. If you have questions regarding the grant application, please contact your faculty, college or division for assistance. Consult the Financial Counselling Directory When complete, at the end of the form, select Submit . You may save the application as a draft and complete it at a later date. Once the form is completed, remember to select Submit before the application deadline. If any required fields have been missed, they will be flagged in red. It is recommended that you submit your application by November 1.

Your Faculty/ Division/ College will review the application and will forward their recommendation or decision to Enrolment Services.

Timeline and payment of funding

To view the status on your grant applications, login to the Undergraduate Grant Portal. If approved, you will be able to view the grant payment information on ACORN, under the Awards & Financial Aid section of your ACORN account.

Other Resources

Please contact your faculty, division or college for instructions regarding additional grants available through your division, faculty or college.

Consult the Financial Counselling Directory

Graduate Awards

Graduate students can access financial support from a variety of sources, including the University of Toronto Fellowship program and numerous other departmental awards programs. They can also secure teaching assistantships and research funding.

In unanticipated financial emergencies, graduate grants are available, through the student’s graduate department.

Find out more about Graduate Grants

