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Bursary Program

A number of bursaries ranging from $500 to $6,000 are awarded to students in financial need. Trinity College bursaries are non-repayable awards designed to assist Trinity students who have explored all other avenues of financial assistance and who still demonstrate financial need. Note that in addition to the donor-provided bursary funding previously available, we have also established a BIPOC Bursary Fund to support students who are Black, Indigenous, or people of colour. This fund is available via the Trinity bursary application process.

Application deadlines are in January for fall-winter terms and in mid-June for the summer term. A short interview will take place at that time to ensure that your application is complete and accurate. However, if your situation is urgent, we can review your application early. If this is the case, please complete the bursary application right away and contact us at trinity.registrar@utoronto.ca to book a virtual appointment.

Requests for Trinity College bursary funding must be submitted online using the University of Toronto Undergraduate Grant Application Portal below. This application will automatically be forwarded to the college for consideration. The deadline to submit this application in order to be considered for a Trinity College 2024-25 Fall/Winter bursary is January 10th.

Fall 2024 / Winter 2025 Undergraduate Grant Application

After submitting your application online, you must make an appointment with an advisor in the Office of the Registrar to finalize your application. The deadline to finalize your application by appointment is January 24th. You can schedule an appointment by e-mailing trinity.registrar@utoronto.ca.

Review the Trinity College Bursary Policy here.

How do I know if I should apply for a bursary?

If you are receiving government loan funding, need to work many more hours than you can or should be, don’t have enough money to cover your expenses, or are struggling financially as a result of COVID-19, you should apply for a Trinity Bursary.

Think you might apply but are still hesitating? Here are some of the reasons we often hear from students about why they don’t apply:

I’m not sure if I'll need bursary assistance. I probably won’t get a bursary.

Try using the University of Toronto’s Financial Planning Calculator. This tool can help you to create your budget for the year and to see if you need additional financial support. While you are not guaranteed to receive a bursary, the application doesn’t take that long to complete and it doesn’t cost anything to apply.

I have financial need but there are students with more urgent need and the money could go to someone else who needs it more.

Bursaries are not only intended for emergency expenses but to also help with general expenses that OSAP and other resources won’t cover. Also, bursaries aren’t a competition. If you get a bursary it doesn’t mean you took money away from someone else.

My GPA is too low to apply.

Bursaries are not in any way based on your grade point average. They are assessed solely based on your financial situation.

I’m not that involved at the college.

Bursaries are based solely on student financial need. You should apply regardless of how involved you are at the College.

I applied last year and so have already received a Trinity Bursary.

You can apply for and receive a Trinity Bursary in every academic session in which you are registered.

I applied last year and didn’t get a bursary, so probably won’t qualify again.

Things change and often students who don’t qualify for a bursary one year, do get one later. This is particularly true due to uncertainties created by COVID-19.

I feel bad asking for help.

We understand, but try not to. That’s what bursaries are here for… to help you.

I don’t want anyone to know I need financial assistance.

Bursaries are completely confidential unless you give us permission to share information.

I don’t want to owe the College money. Don’t I have to pay it back?

Bursaries are non-repayable awards. You won’t owe the College any money.

I’m not on OSAP but I don’t have enough money to cover my expenses.

While the majority of bursary recipients are also receiving government loans, we do have bursary funds available to help students who are not eligible for government loans who are struggling financially.

If after reading this you now realize you should apply for a bursary, don’t wait! If you still have questions, contact us at trinity.registrar@utoronto.ca.

RESIDENCE BURSARIES

Trinity College Residence Bursaries are valued at up to $5,000 and are awarded solely on the basis of financial need (normally based on also receiving government student loans). Applicants who are selected to receive a Residence Bursary must register full-time as an undergraduate Trinity student and must live in a Trinity College Residence for the academic year. Recipients will receive the bursary at the beginning of the fall term.

The Residence Bursary application is available each year during the residence application period for returning students in late February or early March. Please note that Residence Bursaries are not available for students newly admitted for September 2023. For more information, contact us at trinity.registrar@utoronto.ca.

For 2024-25, the Residence Bursary application will be available here around late-February.

BUDGETING AND PLANNING

Coming to university is a significant financial undertaking. Students are encouraged to examine their entire financial picture carefully and to plan accordingly. Make sure to look at the University of Toronto’s Financial Aid website for comprehensive information on financial aid at the University. For additional online information regarding financial aid and planning, including information on OSAP, what financial aid is available to you, how much you will have to pay back and how, check out the OSAP Portal as well as the NSLSC website.

Questions about our scholarship & financial aid program? Contact:

Office of the Registrar
trinity.registrar@utoronto.ca