Faculty of Divinity Bursary Policy: MA, ThM, PhD, DMin

ADVANCED GRADUATE DEGREES: MASTER OF ARTS (MA), MASTER OF THEOLOGY (THM), DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHD) AND DOCTOR OF MINISTRY (DMIN)

It is each student’s responsibility to meet the financial commitments associated with their study at Trinity College. The intention of bursaries is to assist students who have been refused other avenues of funding but nevertheless require financial assistance to continue their studies.

Eligibility

1. There is no restriction based on citizenship or status in Canada.
2. Students beyond the second year of a master’s program or beyond the sixth year of a doctoral program are not eligible. (Year calculation will include any years spent earning credit towards the desired degree. Official leaves of absence are excluded.)
3. Applicants must have at least a B+ average grade from a three or four year bachelor’s degree program from an approved university. Current Graduate Degree students must also have at least a B+ average for the last two years of graduate work.
4. Graduate Degree students must consult with the Graduate Degree Director to determine whether the College will require them to prepare an application to SSHRC or OGS. Such applications will only be required, if in the opinion of the Graduate Degree Director, there is a reasonable chance for success. Applicants asked to apply to SSHRC or OGS will be required to attach proof of rejection to their application. This includes master’s students applying for a doctoral program. Entering students should be encouraged to apply for this award as well, although this will not be a requirement. Visa students are exempted from this requirement.
5. The Bursary committee requests students who are eligible to apply to OSAP or equivalent options. The committee however, recognizes that students may have already accumulated significant debt in achieving first degrees or if entering ministry as a second career may have already set aside significant funds for retirement or family life. Students are not expected to enter into unsustainable levels of indebtedness or to liquidate fixed assets (e.g. real estate and RRSPs). However, students must appreciate that continuing in or returning to university may necessitate a change in lifestyle for themselves and their families. The bursary committee will not consider reasonable need to include costs beyond basic or emergency expenses. Neither will it make awards to pay previous debt or to increase retirement assets during the program.
6. Applicants must demonstrate financial need within a reasonable budget.

Application

1. Bursary applications are available online and from the Faculty of Divinity office.
2. The budget should encompass the financial year commencing May 1 and ending April 30 the following year. The budget should extend personal savings over the length of the program, i.e., do not budget in such a way that savings will be consumed in one year.
3. Awards will be based on financial need within the award limit given to each program. The award limit is the amount available for the summer session and winter session combined, and this limit will not be exceeded except in extraordinary circumstances.
4. Applications will be considered in May and September and should be submitted by the published deadlines (generally May 15 & September 15).

Terms of the Award

1. Students who are awarded a fellowship in the College, or any other major award, will have the amount of the award included as income in their bursary application. Changes in income must be reported to the Bursary Committee.
2. The award will be deposited to the student’s account and will be applied first against outstanding tuition fees, library fees, and/or College loans. Any excess will be available to the student under the conditions of their notification letter.

Repayment of Awards

Full or partial repayment of award will be requested if attendance is less than thirteen weeks in any term, if the student transfers to another college, or is reclassified to part-time student status. Repayment may also be requested if a student subsequently receives a major award.

Emergency Assistance

Financial assistance is available to students who find themselves in emergency situations such as the need for urgent dental care. Assistance may be provided either in the form of a short term loan or as supplement to the normal bursary award. The Bursary Committee will determine eligibility for such assistance. Limited funds are available.