210
Graduate Financial Aid
210.3
University-Administered Awards—General Information
210.3 University-Administered Awards—General Information
Through the Graduate Scholarship Committee (GSC), the FGSR adjudicates many awards. The GSC also administers and adjudicates the annual general awards competition, approves new awards, and develops graduate awards policy. There are other graduate awards in specific fields, which are administered by individual departments and Faculties. To be eligible for graduate scholarships, a First Class academic standing (3.5-4.0 GPA) must be maintained. Unless otherwise stated in the award description, to take up an award, students must be registered full-time in a graduate degree program at the University of Alberta.
Students applying for, or nominated for, awards administered by the FGSR who are registered in master's programs are eligible to hold awards during the first two years of their program unless stated otherwise in the terms of reference. Consideration for funding for the third year of a master's program will only be considered if accompanied by an explanation and a strong letter of support from the department. Students who are registered in doctoral programs are eligible to hold awards up to and including the fifth year of their program unless stated otherwise in the terms of reference. Consideration for funding for the sixth year will only be considered if accompanied by an explanation and a strong letter of support from the department.
In the general awards competition, graduate awards are offered primarily based on superior academic standing and demonstrated potential for advanced study and research. Applicants are assessed according to a combination of departmental evaluation and recommendation, grade point average, reference letters, statement of program, research potential and productivity where it has been demonstrated, and evidence of publications or other scholarly achievement. In all cases, the GSC only considers applicants who have been nominated by the department.
Applicants must either be continuing in a degree program in the FGSR or have been recommended for admission to a degree program in FGSR at the University of Alberta. Students admitted as Qualifying graduate students are not eligible for scholarships and fellowships.
Students must contact their department directly for information on applying for these general awards and to ascertain whether they are eligible to receive an application form or to apply. Strong competition exists for these general awards, and all departments have a limit on the number of applicants who can be nominated for these general awards. Students who have been supplied with an “Application for General Awards” should send all documentation to the department to which they are applying or in which they are registered.
The FGSR has a deadline for receipt of applications for general awards from departments; however, students should contact their department regarding internal deadlines for receipt of documents and application forms.
For information on University-administered awards, refer to www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca
