Are you looking for an Ontario Graduate Scholarship for international students in 2023-2024? If yes, then this post will definitely help you get in-depth information about OGS scholarship opportunities in Canada. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) program promotes better graduation studies at universities in Ontario.
OGS awards are only available to full-time graduate students who are enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at a publicly-funded university in Ontario. Part-time students, students enrolled in professional or other types of graduate programs, and students attending private universities are not eligible for OGS awards.
Apply Also: Scholarships for International Students in Canada
Ontario Graduate Scholarship- OGS Canada Details 2023
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is a financial award offered by the Government of Ontario to full-time graduate students who are enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at a publicly-funded university in Ontario. Other details of the scholarship program are listed below:
| Scholarship Name | Ontario Graduate Scholarship |
| Level of Study | Master’s degree or PhD/Doctoral |
| University | Eligible universities in Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Offered by | Canadian Government |
| Award Amount | $5000 per session up to 3 sessions |
| No.f of Awards | – 139Â OGS will be awarded to Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, or Protected Persons – 4Â OGS will be awarded to international students who are studying in Ontario under a temporary resident visa |
| Maximum OGS Awards | – Master’s students: 2 academic years – Doctoral students: 4 academic years – Lifetime limit (all students): 6 academic years |
| Eligibility | Domestic and international students (Canadian citizen or permanent resident at the time of application) |
| Student Deadline | Date set by graduate unit (Click here) |
Universities in Canada Offering OGS
The following universities in Canada are participating in Ontario Graduate Scholarship program:
- Brock University
- Carleton University
- University of Guelph
- Lakehead University
- Laurentian University
- McMaster University
- Nipissing University
- OCAD University
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology
- University of Ottawa
- Queen’s University
- Ryerson University
- University of Toronto
- Trent University
- University of Waterloo
- Western University
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- University of Windsor
- York University
Eligibility for Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2023-2024
Eligibility to Apply for OGS
- Citizen or PR holder of Canada, the International students who are studying at the University of Toronto with a study permit.
- Applicants must be registered in a full-time program of study for two or three terms at the University of Toronto in 2023-2024.
- The lifetime maximum of government-funded support or OGS/QEII support should not be exceeded.
- Have a strong academic record (generally an overall average of at least A- or 80% in both of the last two completed years of study)
- International students must be proficient in the English language
An eligible program is a full-time program of two or three terms leading to a graduate degree at the University of Toronto. Full-time status is at least 60% of a full course load (40% for students with a permanent disability) or as defined by the institution. Program eligibility is determined by each graduate unit. Students should check with their intended graduate unit to see if their program is eligible for the unit’s OGS competition.
Eligibility to Hold OGS
- Recipients must be enrolled as full-time students at the University of Toronto.
- Recipients must not withdraw the OSG award, or transfer to part-time from full-time status.
- Recipients must not fail to complete the full academic session. Otherwise, students will be required to repay the OGS funds they received for the incomplete session.
- Must be in good standing with the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
- Default or unsatisfactory repayment on a Canada or Ontario Student Loan disqualifies an applicant from holding the award.
- Individuals with an OSAP restriction may apply for the OGS but must clear their restriction within 30 days of notification in order to accept and hold the award if awarded.
- Recipients holding full-time paid employment are not eligible to receive and hold an OGS from the University of Toronto
- Students cannot hold an OGS award in the same session or award year as a scholarship from SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, QEII-GSST, or another OGS.
The eligibility criteria for Ontario Graduate Scholarship listed above are the minimum requirements only. Graduate units may assign additional criteria for applying, receiving, or holding an OGS. Please check with your graduate unit for any additional requirements or conditions.
For full eligibility details, click here.
Restriction Criteria to Apply for OGS Canada
Master’s students can receive a maximum of two years of OGS/QEII-GSST awards. Doctoral students can receive a maximum of four years of OGS/QEII awards. Both are subject to a lifetime maximum of six years per student.
OGS guidelines also state that students can only receive a lifetime maximum of six years of government-funded awards and cannot hold an OGS and another government-funded award at the same time.
These restrictions apply to awards under the following programs:
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program (OGS)
- Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) (formerly OGSST)
- Ontario Trillium Scholarships (OTS)
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
OGS awards are intended to cover a significant portion of the recipient’s tuition and living expenses for the academic year. However, the award is not intended to cover all of the recipient’s expenses, and recipients may need to supplement their funding with other sources of support such as student loans, part-time employment, or personal savings.
OGS Application Requirements
To fill up the application for Ontario Graduate Scholarship, you should submit all components online. Students need to fulfill the following requirements:
- OGS application form
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (unofficial and student-issued transcripts are permitted; e.g., ACORN screenshots).
- Previously achieved awards, publications, conferences, and research experiences.
- The plan of study must be described within 2 pages: the first page for the plan of study, and the second page for references/citations).
- Two academic references (referees will be required to submit online).
Application Process for Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2023
The application process for an Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) varies depending on the university you are attending. However, here is a general overview of the steps you may need to take to apply for an OGS:
- Check the eligibility requirements: Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for an OGS, which include being a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person; being enrolled in a full-time graduate program at a publicly-funded university in Ontario; having a strong academic record, and being recommended for an OGS by your university.
- Contact your university’s graduate studies office: Contact the graduate studies office at your university to find out more about the OGS application process and to obtain any necessary forms or instructions.
- Gather required documents: You may be required to provide transcripts, references, a personal statement, and other documents as part of your OGS application.
- Submit your application: Follow the instructions provided by your university’s graduate studies office to complete and submit your OGS application by the deadline.
- Wait for a decision: The selection process for OGS awards is competitive, and it may take several weeks or months for a decision to be made. You will be notified by your university if you have been awarded an OGS.
It is important to carefully review the application requirements and deadlines for the OGS and to submit a complete and accurate application to increase your chances of being awarded an OGS. If you have any questions about the application process, you should contact your university’s graduate studies office for more information.
OGS Selection Criteria and Weightage
OGS Selection criteria for the study of a Master’s Degree
- Academic Excellence: 30% [Transcripts; Other academic achievements; Type of program; Course load; Duration of course; Prior scholarships and awards]
- Research potential and Statement of Interest: 30% [Statement of Interest (motivation, creativity, communication skills); Relevance of work experience; Significance and merit of the proposed research; Initiative and contribution to research and development]
- Personal Characteristics/Academic Assessment from Referees: 20% [Work experience; Leadership experience; Involvement in academic life; Project management]
OGS Selection criteria for the study of a PhD/Doctorate
- Academic Excellence: 30% [Academic records; Scholarships and awards received; Duration of the previous course]
- Research Potential: 50% [Plan of study; Judgment and originality; Initiative and autonomy; Interaction with supervisors & peers; Ability to lead and complete projects within the allotted time.]
- Personal Characteristics/Academic Assessment from Referees: 20% [Quality of presentation; Publications; Professional relevant extracurricular interaction and mentoring]
