Awards Types

All Awards as defined below must be processed in BSAC using the Award Processing Form.

Type of AwardDescription
Bursary Award based on demonstrated financial need (where need is a component of selection). Official, i.e. CESA-approved.

Note: The McGill term for need-based is ‘bursary’ although we sometime use the term ‘scholarship’ in the fund title due to donor preference. This will be addressed in fund cleanup (fund titles will match fund type).
Scholarship Award based on academic merit. An award for undergraduate students, granted primarily on the basis of academic standing. Official, i.e. CESA-approved. Typically distinguished by entrance or in-course or entrance, renewable.
External Agency Undergraduate Studentships Studentships are awarded directly to students by granting agencies, with McGill issuing the payments.

Note: NSERC USRA: a single fund for the entire 16-week summer session program.
External Agency Graduate Fellowships Fellowships are awarded directly to students by granting agencies, with McGill issuing the payments.

Established as one fund per student.
Fellowship An award for graduate students, granted on the basis of academic standing, extra-curricular and community activities. Official, CESA-approved.
Prize An award to recognize specific achievement.
Stipend Paid from a research grant for the student to work on their thesis research which is part of the research program of the professor’s grant.

Note: The Tri-Council stipulates that the stipends should not be paid through tuition and should not be called awards.Stipend minima and maxima are set by some research councils.
Travel Award Supports student travel for presenting their work at a conference or scholarly meeting, field research, collaboration, etc.

Some are managed by GPS (e.g. GREAT awards) and others are awarded by departments.
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