Funding and Scholarships
Information about scholarships, awards, and other financial details for graduate students in the Faculty of Science.
Awards and Scholarships
Graduate students are encouraged to apply for awards. Please see here for a list of graduate awards.
Thesis-based and Course-based Programs
All thesis-based and course-based students are expected to apply to the Graduate Award Competition (GAC). This competition encompasses a broad range of awards funded by donors and the University of Calgary.
Stipend funding encompasses both Graduate Assistant Teaching (GAT) and stipends. Stipends are allocated by your supervisor and may very per term based on your supervisor's expectations for your research commitment. We encourage students to meet regularly with their supervisor to understand funding per term, as pay may differ month-by-month. Stipends are included in scholarship payments, which fall on the 25th of each month.
Professional Programs
These programs include certificates, diplomas, and Master's programs in:
— Data Science and Analytics
— Information Security and Privacy
— Quantum Computing
The Be the First Scholarship is designed to accelerate opportunities in high-demand digital fields by providing up to $12,000 toward tuition for students enrolled in UCalgary’s course-based Professional Graduate Programs.
You can view the original press release announcing this scholarship here.
To be automatically eligible to receive the Be the First Scholarship,
the student must be:
- Citizenship Status:
- Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents
- Program Status:
- Admitted to our laddered degree pathway programs
- Enrolled in full-time studies (defined as four courses)
Be the First Scholarship payment process:
- Student Account:
- Students must enter their Social Insurance Number (SIN) into their Student Account
- Please use this guide to complete the SIN requirement
- Fall and Winter Term Deposits:
- $6000 will be deposited into your student account as tuition credit each term, during the first month of the term, if you maintain the criteria listed above.
Tuition, Fees, and Payment Plans
Whether you're pursuing a thesis-based, course-based, or professional graduate program, understanding your tuition and payment options is an important part of planning your studies. Explore the information below for details specific to your program type.
Thesis-based and Course-based Programs
Graduate Assistant Teaching (GAT)
Please note that only thesis-based and course-based students are eligible for Graduate Assistant Teaching (GAT) positions. Students in professional programs, which include certificates, diplomas, and Master's programs in Data Science and Analytics, Information Security and Privacy, and Quantum Computing, are not eligible for GAT positions.
Students are expected to be familiar with the process for Graduate Assistant appointments including the appointment periods, level of appointment hours, and employment contracts. Please visit the GAT and GANT Compensation webpage for more information.
To receive payment, we require the following documentation:
- GAT payments are issued twice per month, on the 10th and 25th.
- Each GAT payment is split into two portions: 50% scholarship and 50% salary.
- Tax and applicable deductions are applied only to the salary portion of each GAT payment.
The Science Student Centre graduate team completes the transactional portion of all student payments and ensures that payments are made in a timely and accurate manner. All University of Calgary payments are issued by direct deposit, and banking information should be submitted through your Student Centre > My Financials > Awards and Scholarships > Submit Direct Deposit Info.
Questions about GATs?
Please contact sci.grad@ucalgary.ca.
Your SIN must be entered through the Student Centre. Please do not send the number or copies via email.
For more information on SIN, please click here.
- Study permits should be emailed to hrhire@ucalgary.ca as soon as possible upon arrival in Canada
- If you have already been in Canada for some time, please ensure that you have provided HR with a current copy of your study permit
