At McGill University, we are committed to helping you finance your education. Our goal is to simplify the funding process and provide you with funding and employment opportunities for the duration of your graduate studies. Please refer to the information below for details.
Funding Your Graduate Education
How are graduate students funded?
There are two main types of funding available to you: McGill funding (financial support distributed by the university) and external funding (grants and fellowships administered by provincial and federal governments or other agencies).
For detailed information on Graduate Funding at McGill, visit the Fellowships and Awards Calendar
McGill Funding
How does it work?
Graduate funding is handled at the academic unit (department, school or institute) level. Once you have been offered admission, the unit evaluates the funding resources available. At this time they decide what type, and amount, of funding that can be offered to you. Please note that the graduate funding amount and type varies by the academic unit and program.
Research-based graduate students will receive a personalized funding package with their offer of admission. The funding package will include the details of your funding: amount, length and types of funding. The details of your funding package will be confirmed once you have accepted our offer of admission.
How to apply
In many cases, you are automatically considered and offered, McGill funding. However, some academic units have awards that you may need to apply to. Please contact the academic unit for details, as funding is handled on a unit by unit basis.
As with any institution offering you assistance, remember to record the name of the person you speak to and the date that you called them in case you need to follow up with them in future.
External Funding
We encourage all prospective students, HA Canadian and International, to apply for external funding. In some cases, academic units (departments, schools or institutes) require that you apply for this funding before applying to McGill. Please contact your prospective academic unit to confirm.
How do I apply for external funding?
Each competition will vary as to where and how you submit your application. Please review the Applying for Awards page of our website to determine whether your application should be submitted directly to the agency or through your academic unit, and know whether the application is submitted electronically or in hard copy.
Need more help?
After you review the information available on this site, if you still have questions on external funding, please contact your Departmental representative. Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, along with your department, are here to support you in applying to external agency fellowships.
When do I apply for external funding?
You should apply for external funding as soon as you have made your decision to pursue graduate studies. McGill offers students a series of information sessions and workshops on applications to external agencies in September of every year.
External fellowships
The following list includes some of the major external fellowships available to you. Please note that there may be other external fellowships available that are not listed here.
Federal
• NSERC Master's and Doctoral (PGS/CGS)
• SSHRC Doctoral
• CIHR Doctoral Awards
• SSHRC Master's (CGS)
• CIHR Master's (CGS)
• Vanier CGS
Provincial (Quebec)
Funding for International Students
Various forms of financial support are available to international students including McGill funding, external funding and student aid. We encourage you to contact your country's educational authorities to inquire about funding opportunities to study abroad. In addition, various external sources offer funding opportunities to study in Canada.
External funding
We encourage all international students to apply for external funding. The following list includes some of the major external fellowships available to you. Follow the links to learn about each award including: application dates, guidelines and forms.
• PBEEE - Québec Merit Fellowships for Foreign Graduates
• Trudeau Foundation Scholarships
• Vanier CGS
• Industrial Innovation Scholarship (Natural Sciences and Engineering)
Cost of Living in Montreal
Montreal is a safe, accessible and affordable city with a low cost of living. For information on living costs please visit McGill's cost of attendance website. For further information, visit the Living in Montreal - Cost of Living website. This site includes detailed information on housing and taxes, and includes a section on studying in Montreal.
For more information on funding opportunities, view the Graduate Fellowships & Awards Calendar
Student Aid and the Work Study Program
The Student Aid Office administers both McGill’s financial aid program and all government student aid programs. McGill’s need-based financial aid program includes short term loans, limited bursary assistance, and a Work Study program. In addition, the Student Aid Office offers advice on debt management and budget counselling.
Work Study Program
www.mcgill.ca/studentaid/workstudy/
The Scholarships and Student Aid Office runs a Work Study Program that provides students with financial assistance through part time employment on campus. Students may apply if they are registered full time in a degree program, are in satisfactory academic standing and demonstrate financial need.
Employment Opportunities at the Tutorial Service
www.mcgill.ca/tutoring
Graduate Assistantships
At McGill, teaching and research assistants play a vital role in the educational process. Graduate assistantships are part of McGill funding and may be a part of your personalized funding package. Be aware that the elements of your funding package may change from year to year.
Teaching assistantships
Teaching assistants provide support to McGill professors and lecturers in a variety of ways. They may lead labs, seminars, study sessions and offer one-on-one office hours to enhance the undergraduate learning experience. Teaching assistantships are an excellent opportunity for professional development, especially if you are considering an academic career in teaching. SKILLSETS is a suite of workshops for graduate students that will aid in the learning process, and provide professional skill development so you will be better equipped as a teaching assistant and in your role as a graduate student.
Research assistantships
Many faculty members have research grants or contracts and employ qualified graduate students as research assistants. As a research assistant, you will aid your supervisor or other senior researcher, in conducting groundbreaking research at McGill. Research assistantships are paid positions, and may be part of your McGill funding package.
Application
Teaching and research assistantships are handled by the academic unit (department, school or institute) and may be part of your McGill funding package. Please contact the academic unit for more information on assistantships.