SGS Emergency Grant Instructions for Students

UPDATED: 20 MAR 19 1

Program Description The SGS Emergency Grant program aims to assist currently registered, full-time graduate students who encounter an unanticipated, urgent, and/or serious financial emergency. It is not considered to be a source of routine or long-term funding. For full program details, please visit the SGS Emergency Grant program section of the SGS website. Eligibility Students must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for an SGS Emergency Grant: • Currently registered full-time;• Normally have applied to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) or other government student aid

programs and received an OSAP Notice of Assessment;• Have encountered an unanticipated, urgent, and/or serious financial emergency; and• Must demonstrate current financial need.

Note 1: If you are in the guaranteed funded cohort, your graduate unit/department is responsible for meeting the minimum funding requirements. The SGS Emergency Grant program will not make up for any shortfall in this funding. Note 2: You should be aware of the Master’s Completion Bursary and the Doctoral Completion Award.

Applications for the SGS Emergency Grant will be processed on an ongoing, continual basis throughout each academic session. In order to be considered for assistance before a session ends, applications must be received before the end of the following months: Fall session: November; Winter session: April; and Summer session: August

The SGS Emergency Grant Application form is designed to collect personal financial information. While considering your application, the review committee will take into account the total expenses and resources as well as any other information regarding your personal circumstances to determine if any grant funds should be awarded.

Ineligible Expenses The Emergency Grant program will NOT provide funding for the following: • Debts and obligations: Obligations such as child support payments or debt payments (e.g., line of credit) above

the $250 maximum allowed under debt servicing expenses (see Additional Allowable Expenses section below)will not be considered.

• Program-related expenses: The SGS Emergency Grant program does not cover costs directly related to yourprogram or expenses for continuing and non-degree studies outside your program. For example, we do notcover costs directly related to research, conferences, travel, supplies, etc. You are encouraged to consult withyour supervisor or your department about such expenses. (Doctoral students in Division I and II are remindedthat the SGS Research Travel Grant is available.)

• Support for partner or family expenses: We will only consider expenses incurred directly by you; we will notcover, for example, expenses due to a partner’s lack of employment or expenses incurred by family members.

• Delays resulting from research complications: Expenses related to delays because of research complicationsthat might be reasonably funded by research grants and/or departmental/divisional resources will not be coveredby the SGS Emergency Grant program. If you are in this situation, you should consult with your supervisor and/orgraduate coordinator.

• Tuition and Fees: We consider tuition to be an expected expense. If you are unable to pay your tuition, pleaseconsult your department.

Notification of Results Allow two weeks for processing after submission of your completed application with all necessary documentation. You will be notified of the results via the University of Toronto email address that is specified on your ACORN account.

SGS Emergency Grant Instructions for Students

UPDATED: 02 MAR 20 2

Application Tips for Section 3 & 9Please consider the following when completing the corresponding sections of the application form.

SECTION 3: PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

OSAP or Government Loans: Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP): At any time on this application when we refer to OSAP, we also refer to all other federal/provincial student aid programs. You are expected to rely on OSAP (or other federal/provincial student aid), up to the level of the maximum OSAP loan. If you are eligible for OSAP, or equivalent out-of-province or federal student aid, and have not yet applied, you will not be eligible for the SGS Emergency Grant. Students should apply first to a government loan program and then, if their needs are not met, apply for the SGS Emergency Grant.

If you are ineligible for government support for reasons such as over-awards/overpayments, defaults on previous government loans, the under-reporting of previous income, disqualifying credit histories, or reaching maximum lifetime OSAP limits, you may still be considered for Emergency Grant assistance. Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine the level of support that might be appropriate and feasible for the University to provide. However, if you are within this category, you should have a solid financial plan in place as the Emergency Grant program cannot replace funds that OSAP otherwise might have provided.

SECTION 9: BUDGET FOR CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR

EXPECTED EXPENSES The Financial Need Assessment section serves to calculate your expected resources and expenses for the academic year. The amounts in Column C will need to be calculated based on the number of months (8 or 12) for which you will be registered in the upcoming academic year.

Financial need is normally demonstrated when a negative balance appears in the “TOTAL NEED” field on page 5 of the application (e.g., “Total Expected Expenses” is higher than “Total Expected Resources”). Showing a positive balance in the “TOTAL NEED” field will normally not be considered a demonstration of financial need; unless extenuating circumstances are also reported, (supporting documentation must be submitted).

Living Expenses: Choose which living situation applies to you (living expenses only - no housing costs or living expenses - with housing costs) and fill in the appropriate information. Example #1: A single student who will be registered for 12 months, does not have children and is living in his/her parent’s home should: • Choose “Single/Separated/Divorced” under the category “Living Expenses (no housing costs)”• Calculate the amount for Column C ($560 x 12 = $6,720)

Example #2: A student who will be registered for 12 months, has a partner and 2 children under the age of 12 paying rent should: • Choose “Partnered” under the category “Living Expenses (with housing costs)”• Calculate the amount for Column C ($2,509 x 12 = $30,108)• Enter “2” under “Number of dependents aged 0-12” to account for the two children• Enter “2” in Column A “$590 x ___”• Calculate the amount for Column C ($590 x 2 = $1180, $1180 x 12 = $14,160)

Tuition & Other Fees As tuition for the upcoming year will not be posted until July, enter your fees for the current academic year as an

estimate. The total cost of tuition and other fees for most full-time domestic graduate students in the academic year 2019-2020 is $7,850.90

Review the Tuition Fees Schedules at http://www.fees.utoronto.ca for detailed information.

SGS Emergency Grant Instructions for Students

UPDATED: 02 MAR 20 3

Books & Academic Supplies Include the total cost of books, photocopying, supplies, equipment, thesis binding, etc. for the upcoming year. Provide reasonable academic related expenses. Documentation is required.

Debt Servicing If you will be paying monthly payments on loans/credit card while you are a student (mortgage payments are typically ineligible as an expense). • Calculate 50% of your minimum monthly payments• Enter the total amount into Column A (up to a max. of $250/month)• Enter 8 months or 12 months in Column B• Calculate the amount for Column C (”A” x “B” = “C”)Supporting documentation must be submitted.

Medical/Dental Care Expenses Annual fees for the University of Toronto Graduate Students Union (UTGSU) Health Plan or the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) are automatically included within students’ annual tuition fees. Teaching assistants have dental coverage through union CUPE 3902, and eligible costs should first be claimed against the above plans. We will consider reasonable assistance for any necessary health care costs for professional services prescribed by your doctor that are not covered or partially covered by an insurance plan. We will also consider necessary dental expense of an emergency nature only. Supporting documentation must be submitted, e.g. Receipts and a copy of any health insurance claims and a letter from your doctor supporting the need. Documentation is required.

Food, Household Supplies, Clothing, Transportation, Cell & Internet These costs are already calculated and included within the “Monthly Allowable Amounts” in Column A. The “Monthly Allowable Amounts” are based on provincially determined (OSAP) allowable claims. Documentation is required.

Other Include other necessary expenses you expect to incur (e.g. flying home to see parents, additional fees for GO Train commute). Supporting documentation (e.g. receipts from current year) must be provided for each item or the amount(s) will be automatically removed from consideration. Documentation is required.

Travel due to death in the family: We will allow a one-time return trip home for the student to attend to family matters due to a death of a family member. Supporting documentation, including a copy of the death certificate and travel information (e.g., a flight invoice and a boarding pass), must be submitted with your Emergency Grant application. Proof of purchace documentation is required.

Prescriptions: Ontario residents with a valid Ontario Health Card and high prescription drug costs in relation to their net household income may be eligible for the Trillium Drug Program. For more information, please consult with a health care provider or visit the Trillium Drug Program website. Documentation is required.

Exceptional expenses: Every case is unique and it is impossible to characterize all expenses that might be considered. If you have an expense that is not listed above that you think might reasonably be considered, include it under this category on the application form. Please provide sufficient details. Additional documentation may be requested if appropriate. Check with the SGS Financial Advisor if you have any questions. Documentation is required.

EXPECTED RESOURCES

Student Loan If you are planning to apply for government student loans (e.g., Ontario Student Assistance Program) for the upcoming academic year and received the loan for the current academic year, enter the current year’s amount as your estimate for the upcoming year and provide a copy of your current year’s Notice of Assessment with your application. If you did not receive government student loans this year and are planning to apply for the upcoming academic year, enter the amount from the online OSAP Aid Estimator and submit a print-out or equivalent with your application. Documentation is required.

SGS Emergency Grant Instructions for Students

UPDATED: 02 MAR 20 4

UTAPS If you received UTAPS for the current academic year, enter this amount as your estimate for the upcoming year. If you did not receive UTAPS this year and are planning to apply for the upcoming academic year, enter the amount from the online UTAPS Online Estimator and submit a print-out or equivalent with your application.

Students who receive OSAP are automatically considered for additional financial support from the University of Toronto Advance Planning for Students (UTAPS) program. Out-of-province students who are receiving funding from another Canadian province/territory and students who are receiving funding from a First Nations band may apply directly for UTAPS by submitting the online application.

Graduate funding package Students in doctoral-stream programs must declare the total amount of the minimum funding commitment they expect to receive in the upcoming academic year (based on the amount received in the current academic year), unless s/he will be beyond the program’s funding commitment in the upcoming academic year. Please include a copy of your annual funding letter with this completed application.

Awards Include awards/scholarships/fellowships, etc., that have been offered to you and that you have accepted to receive in the upcoming academic year (that is in addition to the funding package you receive, if any. U of T Fellowships should only be included in the “Total amount of graduate funding package” field, as they are part of your program’s funding commitment).

Other employment income Include employment income that is outside of your funding commitment (e.g. work-study, off-campus employment, paid internships/practicums). Documentation is required.

Funds received from friends and family members Enter funds received as gifts or personal loans from friends and family members in the resources section. Documentation is required.

Partner’s Income If you chose a “Partnered” category under “Expected Expenses”, enter 50% of your partner’s net income (after tax deduction). To calculate, determine your partner’s total annual income amount after taxes are deducted, and divide the amount by 2. Documentation may be required.

Child support or government assistance/benefits A look-up table on basic child support payments can be found through the Ministry of the Attorney General’s website. Income assistance services can be found through the Government of Canada’s website. Various Ontario benefits also fit in this category. Documentation is required.

Available student line-of-credit / bank loan Only include the amount currently available to you through your student line-of-credit or bank loan. Documentation is required.

Accessible savings Only include the total amount of savings you currently have access to (i.e.: money that you could withdraw today, that is not locked into an investment). Include any RESP funds that you expect to withdraw to fund your education for the upcoming year. Documentation is required.

Contact us Financial Aid & Advising School of Graduate Studies 63 St. George Street Toronto, ON M5S 2Z9 sgs.financial.assistance@utoronto.ca Telephone: 416-978-2839

SGS Emergency Grant Application

UPDATED: 02 MAR 20 1

Purpose The Emergency Grant program aims to assist currently registered, full-time graduate students who encounter an unanticipated, urgent financial emergency. It is not considered to be a source of routine or long-term funding. Anticipated need is not considered as urgent. Please carefully read the SGS Emergency Grant application Instructions prior to completing this form. If any components of this application are incomplete or missing supporting documentation, it may be denied automatically.

SECTION 1: STUDENT INFORMATION

Last Name: First Name:

Student Number: U of T Email Address: (all correspondence will be via this U of T address):

Citizenship: Canadian/Permanent Resident/Protected Person Student Visa

I have met with the SGS Financial Advisor regarding this application (not required): Yes No If yes, date (MM/YYYY):

SECTION 2: ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Program Start Date (MM/YYYY): Graduate Unit/Department (e.g., Social Work):

Degree Name (e.g., PhD, MSc): Program Name (e.g., Adult Education and Community Development):

Please list any sessions you were on leave or not registered (e.g., Fall 2017, Winter 2018, Summer 2018):

SECTION 3: PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION Have you applied for OSAP, out-of-province, or US student loans for the current academic year: Yes No

If you have selected Yes,” please attach your Notice of Assessment (or equivalent) to this application form.

Do you have a student funding package?: Yes No Total Value of your funding package: $

If “Yes,” please attach a copy of your current Funding Letter.

ACORN fees balance for the current session(s): $

Outstanding balance from previous session(s) (arrears): $

SECTION 4: STAGE OF GRADUATE PROGRAM Please describe the progress made to date in your program and estimate the amount of work that remains to complete all degree requirements (e.g., coursework, research, comprehensive exam):

SGS Emergency Grant Application

UPDATED: 02 MAR 20 2

SECTION 5: PLEASE INDICATE THE FOLLOWING ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATES Expected date of completion of your degree requirements (MM/YYYY): If a thesis submission is required, please indicate the date of Final Oral Examination (FOE) (if applicable) (MM/YYYY): Date you plan on submitting your thesis to the SGS online repository (if applicable) (MM/YYYY):

Your expected convocation date (MM/YYYY):

SECTION 6: PREVIOUS SGS EMERGENCY GRANTS

Have you previously received an SGS Emergency Grant? : Yes No

If “Yes,” please indicate the date you applied and the value of the grant awarded:

SECTION 7: FINANCIAL PLAN Describe the plan you had in place to fund your studies for the duration of your program:

SECTION 8: CURRENT FINANCIAL STATUS Describe in detail the unexpected circumstances and/or events beyond your control that occurred and have now resulted in a financial emergency:

SGS Emergency Grant Application

UPDATED: 02 MAR 20 3

What other funding sources have you explored to address your current financial emergency (e.g. OSAP, UTAPS, support from family members, line of credit etc.)?

Describe the intended use of the SGS Emergency Grant:

Emergency Amount Requested: $

SECTION 9: BUDGET FOR CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR Number of Months Registered: 8 or 12 month Period (MM/YYYY ______ to ___________) Please use the number of months indicated above when calculating expenses and resources below:

EXPECTED EXPENSES for the academic year A B C

Complete either section 1 or section 2 depending on your living arrangements - DO NOT COMPLETE BOTH. Sections 3 & 4 must be completed by all applicants.

Monthly Allowable Amount

# Months Registered

Total (A x B = C)

1) LIVING EXPENSES ONLY - NO HOUSING COSTS (e.g. residing in a family home, no rent or mortgage) Single/separated/divorced $560 x 8 or 12 $

Partnered $1286 x 8 or 12 $

Number of dependent(s) aged 0-12: __________

List age(s) of dependent(s) (e.g. 1, 3, 5): _______________

$327 x ____ (# of children)

x 8 or 12 $

Number of dependent(s) ages 12-18: _________

List age(s) of dependent(s) (e.g. 16, 17): _______________

$449 x ____ (# of children)

x 8 or 12 $

2) LIVING EXPENSES - WITH HOUSING COSTS (e.g. you have rent or mortgage payments)Single/separated/divorced $1705 x 8 or 12 $

Partnered $2509 x 8 or 12 $

Number of dependent(s) aged 0-12: __________

List age(s) of dependent(s) (e.g. 1, 3, 5): _______________

$590 x ____ (# of children)

x 8 or 12 $

Number of dependent(s) ages 12-18: _________

List age(s) of dependent(s) (e.g. 16, 17): _______________

$712 x ____ (# of children)

x 8 or 12 $

SGS Emergency Grant Application

UPDATED: 02 MAR 20 4

3) ADDITIONAL EXPENSES ( documentation is required for each item listed with a check box in this section)

Day care (maximum $470 per child x number of children)

$____ (max $470) x ____ (# of children) x 8 or 12 $

Debt servicing (50% of required minimum monthly payments on loans & credit card debt up to a max. of $250/month). Personal loans must be recorded in the Resources section. $

Medical & Dental Costs (not covered by OHIP, UTGSU or UHIP health plans) $

$

Travel due to death or terminal illness in the family (Include death certificate and/or Dr. note). $

Tuition, incidental, system access & ancillary fees (enter total only) $

Books & Academic Supplies (Enter total only) $

Exceptional unanticipated expenses (specify below – do not include mortgage in this section):

i) $

ii) $

iii) $

Total of All Expected Expenses (sections 1-3) Total $

4) EXPECTED RESOURCES (must be for the same timeframe as the Expected Expenses section)

Student Loan (check one): OSAP Out-of-province U.S. loan Other:____________________ (Notice of Assessment/Preliminary Assessment must be attached)

$

Available student line of credit / financial institution loan $

UTAPS or PMFA funding (provide amount from current academic year as an estimate) $

Total amount of graduate funding package (i.e. base amount + tuition) which includes Fellowships, RAship, TAship.

Enter base funding amount (e.g. $17,500) $

Enter tuition funding amount $

Awards (e.g. Tri-Agency (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) OGS, Other government awards, departmental awards that’s in addition to your funding package if you are receiving one) $

Other employment income (after tax deduction) $

Funds received from family member(s) $

50% of partner’s income (after tax deduction, i.e. net income 2) This amount must be provided if partnered expenses are claimed in the expenses section $

Child support or government assistance/benefits $

Other support / assistance / resources $

Savings / accessible investments/ RESP (amount withdrawn for the year only) $

Other (specify below):

Prescription Costs (not covered by OHIP, UTGSU or UHIP health plans)

SGS Emergency Grant Application

UPDATED: 02 MAR 20 5

i) $

ii) $

Total of All Expected Resources $

TOTAL NEED (Resources minus (-) Expenses) $

SECTION 10: APPLICANT’S DECLARATION & AUTHORIZATION I declare that the foregoing information is, to my knowledge, a true, complete, and accurate statement of my financial status. This application and all supporting documents will be retained on SGS record. I understand that SGS may contact my sources of supporting documents to verify information. If any information I have provided is found intentionally falsified, I understand I may become permanently ineligible to apply or receive any future SGS grants. I hereby request consideration for assistance from the funds made available for this purpose by the University. I understand that if awarded, any monies owing to the University will be deducted from Emergency Grant unless otherwise approved. If awarded, I authorize the University of Toronto to release the amount(s) from the Emergency Grant to federal and/or provincial student financial aid office(s). This form can be completed electronically, signed, and submitted via email to sgs.financial.assistance@utoronto.ca. Please allow two to three weeks for a decision upon receipt of a complete application.

Signature of Applicant ________________________________________ Date ____________________________

SECTION 11: GRANT PAYMENT

SGS Emergency Grant payments are by default posted to your ACORN fees account. If you are requesting the grant be refunded to you directly, check the following box:

If you would like the amount refunded and you have arrears, please give reasons below:

OISE Students must apply for bursary assistance from the OISE Student Services first and upon recommendation by the OISE Financial Aid Coordinator, may be considered for the Emergency Grant.

OISE Financial Aid Coordinator________________________________ Date _________________________

Submit completed applications and supporting documents to: sgs.financial.assistance@utoronto.ca

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act: www.rosi.utoronto.ca/fippa.php

Office Use Only

Decision: Approved Not Approved Amount Approved: $

Authorization Signature: Date Approved:

Notes: