York University Emergency Bursaries

York University provides one-time, emergency bursary funding to students facing a crisis or unanticipated circumstances. This financial support aims to help students facing unexpected, emergency situations successfully complete their term.

The following emergency funds are available:

  • Undergraduate domestic students can apply through the Scholarships and Bursaries team by emailing bursary@yorku.ca. Details on the application process can be found below.
  • Graduate students can apply for assistance through the Faculty of Graduate Studies Emergency Bursary. Contact Nisa Lawson (nisal@yorku.ca) to request an online application.
  • If you are a part of Schulich or Osgoode, submit one application through the following processes:
  • International students can apply for assistance through the International Student Emergency Bursary.
  • Many Faculties also provide emergency bursary funding. Students can contact their home Faculty’s Office of the Dean to inquire about available supports.

Students may apply for bursary support through various departments, but any funding that is issued will be taken into consideration on future applications.

 

Information for Undergraduate, Domestic Student Applicants

Eligibility Requirements

Students should apply if they are faced with:

  • An unexpected circumstance that has a widespread impact on a student’s livelihood. (Examples include, but are not limited to, domestic violence, family breakdown, sudden or impending loss of housing, food insecurity, loss of property due to theft or fire or natural disaster etc.) 
  • An emergency that impacts the student financially in a quantifiable manner (e.g. the amount of aid being requested can be justified).
  • A sudden situation that affects the student’s ability to successfully complete their semester.

To be eligible for emergency bursary consideration, a student must:

  • Be actively registered in an undergraduate program of study at York University.
  • Provide a detailed written statement outlining the nature of the emergency including relevant timelines.

Note: An application for an emergency bursary does not guarantee that students will receive funding. York University reserves the right to determine if funding will be provided and the level of support that will be awarded.

Applicants may be ineligible to receive emergency funding if:

  • They have declined to receive available loan funding via government student aid.
  • They have received another emergency bursary from York University.

The emergency bursary is not meant to address funding shortfalls where government financial aid (OSAP, out-of-province funding, government social assistance, savings, or employment income) is insufficient to cover educational expenses. This bursary can only be received once and may not cover a student’s entire unmet financial need.
How to Apply

Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide supporting 3rd party documentation with their request and may be asked to do so later. This can include, but is not limited to, police reports, emails, bank statements, invoices/receipts, eviction notice, etc. Documentation should support the emergency at hand, as well as the aid being requested.

  1. Complete the Undergraduate Bursary Application, if you have not already done so.
  2. Email the Scholarships and Bursaries team at bursary@yorku.ca with the subject line “Emergency Bursary Request” to submit your request for emergency support.
    The email must include:
    • first and last name
    • student number
    • a detailed statement outlining the nature of the emergency
    • the amount of financial aid that is being requested
      Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide supporting 3rd party documentation with their request and may be asked to do so later. This can include, but is not limited to, police reports, emails, bank statements, invoices/receipts, eviction notice, etc. Documentation should support the emergency at hand, as well as the aid being requested.
  3. Be available for a virtual meeting (via Zoom or Microsoft Teams), if requested.
  4. Final decisions will be shared by email. All decisions are final.
Receiving Funding

All applicants to the emergency bursary will receive a decision by email within 3 business days. The amount of funding issued will depend on the situation as assessed by the Scholarships team.

Students who have not already done so will be asked to provide the university with their banking information.

Eligible emergency bursary recipients will receive their funds via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and the university will directly deposit funds into the recipients’ personal bank account (within 5 business days). Disbursement of funds may be delayed if banking information is not set up accordingly.

OSAP Recipients

York University reports all awards, scholarships and bursaries issued by York University to the Ministry on your behalf.

Students will not need to report funding received through the bursary on their OSAP application. A student’s OSAP will not be impacted if they are a successful bursary recipient as funding issued as an emergency bursary is exempt as study period income.

If York-issued funding was reported on a student’s OSAP application, York can update the application on the student’s behalf. Please complete the Income Change Request Form.
Additional Supports for all Students

Financial challenges may accompany other personal struggles students are facing. Below are several resources available at York: