Emergency Bursary

UMGPS is partnering with the Financial Aid and Awards Office (FAAO) to improve how graduate students access emergency financial assistance. Through this partnership, applications will follow a more structured, objective, and impartial review process, with expected turnaround times of approximately 2–7 days, compared with 5–10 days previously. The process will also be more secure and streamlined, allowing applications to be completed and assistance delivered more quickly. Students may now be eligible to receive financial support greater than $200, depending on their circumstances, and approved assistance will be disbursed directly to students by e-transfer.

The partnership will also provide UMGPS with anonymized data on the number of graduate students seeking financial support, creating greater transparency around student need. This information will help UMGPS balance its contributions between the UM Emergency Bursary Fund and the UM Food Bank based on where support is needed most. The FAAO has guaranteed that UMGPS contributions will be used exclusively to support graduate students.

UMGPS contributes $10,000 annually to graduate student emergency financial support, including $7,000 to the UM Emergency Bursary program and $3,000 to the UM Food Bank. Students in need of financial assistance are encouraged to explore the UM Emergency Bursary Fund, FGPS Emergency Loan, and UM Food Bank for available support and eligibility information.

Overall, this partnership will allow graduate students to access emergency financial assistance faster, more securely, and more consistently when they need it most.