Ontario Graduate Scholarship: 7 Powerful Secrets To Win $15,000

Ontario Graduate Scholarship: 7 Powerful Secrets to Win $15,000

Are you a master’s or PhD student looking for financial support in Ontario? The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is one of the most prestigious merit-based awards available each year to graduate students across Ontario’s publicly-assisted universities. This guide answers every question you have about the Ontario Graduate Scholarship — from eligibility and award value to how to apply and what it takes to win. Whether you’re currently open to applying or planning ahead, everything you need is right here.

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is a $15,000 annual merit-based scholarship offered each year to outstanding master’s and doctoral students at Ontario universities. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is jointly funded by the Province of Ontario (two-thirds) and the participating university (one-third). If you are pursuing graduate studies in any discipline, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship is one of the most valuable and accessible awards you can win. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship requires a minimum A- (80%) academic average and full-time enrollment. Each year, approximately 3,000 Ontario Graduate Scholarships are awarded across eligible institutions, making it Canada’s largest provincial graduate scholarship program.

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship program has been recognizing academic excellence since 1975. It is open to students in all disciplines — from arts and humanities to science, engineering, and health sciences. Applications for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship are typically available in October each year through each university’s own graduate office, with deadlines varying by institution. Whether you are currently open to applying or planning for a future cycle, this complete guide will walk you through every step.

What Is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship?

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship program offers merit-based annual scholarships to eligible students pursuing graduate studies — specifically master’s and doctoral degrees — at publicly-assisted universities in Ontario, Canada.

Since its founding in 1975, the program has consistently rewarded academic excellence across every discipline of study. The Ontario Government, through the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, contributes two-thirds of every award, while each participating university provides the remaining one-third.

The goal of the program is straightforward: attract and retain Ontario’s best graduate minds, regardless of their field of study.

OGS Award Value and Duration

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is valued at $15,000 per academic year, paid out at $5,000 per term for up to three consecutive terms.

Key facts about the award value:

Minimum duration: two consecutive terms
Maximum duration: three consecutive terms (one academic year)
The award is not automatically renewable — students must reapply each year
Funds are paid directly to students each term (September, January, May)
Recipients may also accept research assistantships and part-time employment that does not interfere with full-time student status

Who Is Eligible for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship?

To qualify for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria each year:

Citizenship / Immigration Status: You must be one of the following at the time of the application deadline:

A Canadian citizen
A Permanent Resident
A Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)
An international student studying in Ontario with a valid study permit (a limited number of awards are reserved for this category annually)

Academic Level: You must be enrolled (or intend to enroll) in a master’s or doctoral program on a full-time basis for at least two consecutive terms (21 to 52 weeks) during the award year.

Academic Standing:

Students entering year 1 or year 2 of graduate studies: must have achieved a first-class average (A- or equivalent) in each of the last two completed years of full-time study
Students entering year 3 or beyond: must have an overall average of at least A- across all completed graduate courses

Other Conditions:

Must be in good standing with OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program)
Must not currently hold a SSHRC, NSERC, or CIHR award in the same period
Must not hold another OGS award in the same session
Students with disabilities may qualify for part-time study consideration

Participating Universities

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is available at the following publicly-assisted Ontario universities:

Brock University
Carleton University
University of Guelph
Lakehead University
Laurentian University
McMaster University
Nipissing University
OCAD University
Ontario Tech University
University of Ottawa
Queen’s University
Trent University
University of Toronto
University of Waterloo
Western University
Wilfrid Laurier University
University of Windsor
York University

Important: The OGS award is not transferable between institutions. If you are applying to multiple universities, you must submit a separate OGS application at each institution. Each school manages its own application process, internal deadlines, and adjudication criteria.

How to Apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Applications for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship typically open in October each year and are submitted directly through each university’s graduate office portal — not through a central government portal.

Here is the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Check Your School’s Deadline Each institution sets its own internal deadline. Deadlines vary from October to late January, so confirm the exact date with your graduate program’s administrator as early as possible each year.

Step 2: Access the Application Log in to your university’s graduate application portal. At most institutions, applicants need a student account or credentials (such as Carleton’s MC1 credentials or Western’s Student Center).

Step 3: Complete the Application Form Fill in all required fields including your program information, academic history, previous awards, and your statement of research interests.

Step 4: Request References Most institutions require two academic reference letters or completed Academic Assessment forms submitted by professors. Referees typically have one to two weeks after the student deadline to submit their forms.

Step 5: Upload Transcripts Submit up-to-date unofficial or official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Transcript requirements vary slightly by school.

Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline Late applications are generally not accepted. Allow adequate time before the deadline for technical issues.

Step 7: Await Results Award results are typically announced between May and July for the following academic year.

Required Documents

While requirements vary slightly by institution, the following documents are commonly required annually:

Document	Notes
Transcripts	From all post-secondary institutions attended
Two Academic References	From professors familiar with your academic work
Statement of Research Interest	Varies in length by institution
List of Awards and Publications	Most recent and relevant to your academic career
Study Permit (International Students)	Must be valid by application deadline
Social Insurance Number (SIN)	Required for Canadian citizens and PRs

OGS vs. QEII-GSST: Key Comparison

Many applicants encounter both the Ontario Graduate Scholarship and the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) in the same application. Here’s how they compare:

Feature	Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)	QEII-GSST
Disciplines Eligible	All disciplines	Science, technology, engineering, and select areas of kinesiology/psychology
Open to International Students	Yes (limited spots)	No — domestic students only
Award Value	$15,000/year ($5,000/term)	$15,000/year ($5,000/term)
Application Process	Same form at most schools	Automatically considered if OGS applicant qualifies
Eligible Study Levels	Master’s and Doctoral	Master’s and Doctoral
Funded By	Province of Ontario + University	Province of Ontario + University
Concurrent with Tri-Agency Awards	No	No

Tip: If you are in a STEM-related program, apply for the OGS and indicate interest in QEII-GSST — many universities automatically consider eligible OGS applicants for both.

OGS vs. Other Major Canadian Graduate Scholarships

If you are exploring graduate funding in Canada, here’s how the Ontario Graduate Scholarship compares to other top programs:

Scholarship	Value	Level	Disciplines	Open to International?
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)	$15,000/year	Master’s & PhD	All	Yes (limited)
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship	$50,000/year	PhD	All	Yes
NSERC PGS D	$21,000/year	PhD	Natural Sciences & Engineering	No
SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship	$20,000/year	PhD	Social Sciences & Humanities	No
CIHR Doctoral Award	$35,000/year	PhD	Health Sciences	No
Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS)	$40,000/year	PhD	All	Yes (international only)

See also: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: The Ultimate Guide

Maximum Years You Can Hold the OGS

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is subject to strict lifetime and program-level maximums:

Master’s students: Maximum of 2 years of OGS/QEII-GSST awards
Doctoral students: Maximum of 4 years of OGS/QEII-GSST awards
Lifetime maximum: 6 years of combined government-funded graduate awards

Students cannot hold an OGS in the same year as a Tri-Agency award (SSHRC, NSERC, or CIHR). If you hold one of those federal awards in a given year, you are ineligible for the OGS that same year.

7 Powerful Tips to Win the Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Thousands of students apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship each year. Here’s what sets winning applicants apart:

1. Apply Early — Even Before Acceptance You do not need to have received a graduate program offer to apply. Many successful applicants submit the OGS application while still applying to graduate programs. Apply early to avoid last-minute issues.

2. Nail Your Statement of Research Interest This is the single most distinguishing part of your application. Make it clear, specific, and impactful. Explain what you’re researching, why it matters, and what you’ve already accomplished. Avoid vague language.

3. Choose Strong, Engaged Referees Your references should know your academic work deeply. Brief them on your research statement, remind them of your key achievements, and give them enough lead time. A rushed reference rarely wins awards.

4. Highlight All Previous Awards List every scholarship, award, prize, or academic recognition you have received during your post-secondary education. Even smaller awards signal a pattern of recognized excellence.

5. Maintain Your A- Average — Consistently Academic eligibility is non-negotiable. An A- average is the floor, not the target. Committees are looking at the full trend of your academic record, not just the minimum.

6. Apply to Multiple Schools If Applicable If you are applying to more than one Ontario university, submit an OGS application to each. Awards are not transferable, so applying only to one institution limits your chances.

7. Monitor Your OSAP Standing Even if you have never had an OSAP loan, your file must be in good standing. If there is an OSAP restriction on your account, resolve it before the award is disbursed — failure to do so can result in cancellation of the award.

What People Also Ask About the Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Q: How much is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship worth? The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is worth $15,000 per academic year, paid at $5,000 per term for two or three consecutive terms.

Q: Can international students apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship? Yes. International students studying in Ontario with a valid study permit are eligible for a limited number of OGS awards each year. They are not eligible for the related QEII-GSST award.

Q: When is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship application deadline? Deadlines vary by institution and are set each year by individual graduate programs. Applications typically open in October and close between November and late January. Check your specific university’s graduate office annually for the latest update.

Q: Can I hold the OGS and a SSHRC or NSERC award at the same time? No. You cannot hold an OGS and a Tri-Agency award (SSHRC, NSERC, or CIHR) in the same award year.

Q: Is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship renewable? The award is not automatically renewable. Students must reapply each year through their institution and compete in the annual adjudication process.

Q: How many Ontario Graduate Scholarships are awarded each year? Approximately 3,000 scholarships are awarded annually across all eligible Ontario universities. The number allocated to each institution is determined by the provincial government each year.

Q: Does the OGS affect my OSAP eligibility? Holding an OGS may affect your OSAP loan and grant calculations. Check with your financial aid office for specific implications based on your situation.

Q: Can I work while holding the Ontario Graduate Scholarship? Yes. Recipients may accept research assistantships, part-time teaching positions, or paid employment that does not compromise their full-time student status. Part-time employment of up to approximately 10 hours per week is generally considered acceptable.

Q: Is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship taxable? OGS awards are generally considered taxable income in Canada. Consult the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines or a tax professional for your specific circumstances.

Q: What GPA do I need for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship? A minimum A- average (approximately 80%) in each of the last two completed years of study is required for students in years 1 or 2 of graduate studies.

Common Reasons Applications Are Rejected

Even qualified students sometimes fail to win the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Here are the most common reasons applications fall short:

GPA falls below A- in one of the required years
Weak or generic research statement that doesn’t differentiate the applicant
Late or incomplete application (including missing referee assessments)
Holding a concurrent Tri-Agency award
OSAP restriction not resolved before disbursement
Exceeding the lifetime maximum for OGS or government-funded awards
Invalid study permit at the time of the international student deadline
Applying to programs or institutions that do not participate in the OGS

If you are pursuing graduate funding in Canada, these are the most valuable scholarships to apply for alongside or instead of the Ontario Graduate Scholarship:

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: The Ultimate Guide — $50,000/year for doctoral students. Considered the most prestigious Canadian doctoral scholarship. Open to international applicants.

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship: 5 Powerful Funding Secrets — Federal merit-based awards for master’s and doctoral students in all disciplines.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships: Complete Guide to Win $70,000 — For graduates seeking postdoctoral funding after completing a PhD in Canada.

The following official and authoritative sources were consulted in the preparation of this guide:

Ontario Government – OSAP Portal (Official OGS Page): https://osap.gov.on.ca — The official provincial source for OGS program information, eligibility criteria, and participating institutions.
University of Toronto – School of Graduate Studies OGS Page: https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/awards/ontario-graduate-scholarship/ — Detailed application instructions, inclusive excellence award information, and U of T-specific OGS guidelines.
Wikipedia – Ontario Graduate Scholarship: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Graduate_Scholarship — Historical background, program statistics, and funding structure details.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship recipient at convocation ceremony

Final Thoughts

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is one of the most powerful financial tools available to graduate students studying in Ontario. Valued at $15,000 each year, it rewards academic excellence across all disciplines — from the arts to sciences — and is available to both domestic and international students. The key to winning the Ontario Graduate Scholarship comes down to academic standing, a compelling research statement, strong references, and meticulous attention to your institution’s application requirements.

Check your university’s graduate office for the latest update on deadlines and application access each year. Apply early, apply thoroughly, and — if you are eligible — apply at every Ontario institution where you’ve submitted a graduate admission application.

With the right preparation, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship is absolutely within reach.

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