Graduate Support Initiative (GSI) Awards
Quick Facts
The Graduate Support Initiative is a system for funding graduate students through entrance scholarships, multi-year funding packages, tuition awards and scholarship top-ups. GSI funding cannot be used as payment for employment; nor will it replace funding for TA-ships. Funding for the GSI will be phased in as the PhD Tuition Fee Award is phased out over the next several years.
Check with graduate program
Eligibility
Students who are enrolled in the following degree programs are eligible for the Graduate Support Initiative:
- PhD
- DMA
- All master's degrees, except full cost-recovery programs (in cases of ambiguity, the Provost will determine those programs that are ineligible on this basis)
GSI funding is available to both international and domestic students.
Procedures
GSI allocations are made to disciplinary Faculties, who in turn allocate those funds amongst their graduate programs. Faculties and graduate programs are to establish and publish criteria by which the GSI funding will be distributed amongst their graduate students. Students should refer questions regarding funding criteria and amounts to their graduate program or Faculty.
Further Information
What will happen to the PhD Tuition Fee Award program?
To be eligible for funding under the PhD Tuition Fee Award program, students must be registered in a UBC master’s or doctoral program by 30 September 2007. When such students register in a PhD or DMA program, they will be eligible for PTFA funding during the first four years of doctoral study, or until 31 August 2012 – whichever comes first. For complete details regarding eligibility for the PTFA, please refer to the PhD Tuition Fee Award section of this website.
How does this change affect international students?
GSI funding is available to both international and domestic students. As well, international students who are not eligible for PTFA funding and who are registered full-time in a master’s program or doctoral program that assess tuition fees of $7,200 per year are eligible for an International Partial Tuition Scholarship.
How much GSI funding will graduate students receive?
GSI allocations are made to disciplinary Faculties, who in turn allocate those funds amongst their graduate programs. Faculties and graduate programs are to establish and publish criteria by which the GSI funding will be distributed amongst their graduate students. Students should refer questions regarding funding criteria and amounts to their graduate program or Faculty.
How will this change in funding improve support for students?
The GSI will allow for:
- broader eligibility for funding, as master’s students are eligible for GSI awards,
- more stable, recurring funding, and
- greater flexibility at the Faculty / graduate program level.
Does this mean there will be less funding for graduate students?
The total amount of funding available to fund graduate students will not decrease as a result of this change. However, the distribution of funding amongst students may change in some cases.
When will this change take effect?
As of January 2008.
How did this Graduate Support Initiative come about, and who was involved in these decisions?
The Graduate Student Strategy Task Force brought together a committee consisting of Deans, graduate students, and staff to develop a proposal for graduate student funding that works to grow graduate student support and leverage existing funding opportunities for graduate students at UBC.
