Receiving Your Graduate Funding
Updating Your Contact Information
Awards and Fellowships issued by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) Graduate Funding Office will be blocked or delayed if students do not have the following:
- A valid University of Toronto email address within ACORN.
- Students are required to have a university-issued email account and to provide that email address on ACORN. If you have not done so, please activate your university-issued account and add the address to your personal information on ACORN.
- For more information, refer to the Policy on Official Correspondence with Students
- A valid Ontario physical mailing address within ACORN.
- Mailing addresses must be active, correct and be in Ontario.
Fellowships and Awards cannot be processed through ACORN without a valid email and mailing address on the system, even if banking information is set up. Furthermore, address and email information is downloaded from ACORN on a weekly basis to contact students and provide important information regarding funding.
Major External Scholarships (Sessional Payments)
Scholarships from Federal Granting Agencies (SSHRC and NSERC) or Provincial awards, such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), are processed through ACORN by the School of Graduate Studies (SGS). Funded cohort students activate their awards to start in September. Payments are typically made in three sessional installments (September, January, and May). September payments are typically disbursed directly to the student. January and May installments will be applied to outstanding fees, with any remaining funds paid to the student. September, January and May payments are all included in the funding package.
Students who have entered their Canadian bank account information on ACORN under Finances – Financial Accounts – Direct Deposit will have their refund payments transferred directly to their bank account (within 2-3 business days). This is the most efficient refund payment method. Students who do not have their Canadian bank account information on ACORN will be issued a cheque, sent to their mailing address on ACORN (within 4-6 weeks).
Students who receive significant awards, such as SSHRC, OGS, and Vanier, must request that their award activation commences in September.
If you have questions about SSHRC, NSERC or OGS payments, please contact SGS at graduate.awards@utoronto.ca.
OISE Fellowships (Sessional Payments)
OISE Fellowships are processed through ACORN by the OISE Graduate Funding Office. The OISE Fellowship will be applied to outstanding fees, with any remaining funds disbursed to the student in two equal instalments (September and January).
Students who have entered their Canadian bank account information on ACORN will have their refund payments transferred directly to their bank account (within 2-3 business days). This is the fastest and most accurate refund payment method. Students who do not have their Canadian bank account information on ACORN will be issued a cheque, sent to their mailing address on ACORN (within 4-6 weeks).
If you have questions about OISE Fellowships payments, please contact oise.gradfinasst@utoronto.ca.
Research Fellowship (Monthly Payments)
Research Fellowships are processed through the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) by the department Business Officer. Payments are made in equal monthly installments disbursed through direct deposit to your bank account. Please note: monthly payments are paid out as T4A fellowship income and are not subject to taxes. Students must have a valid Canadian bank account.
Payments will be processed once you have submitted a Void cheque from a Canadian Banking Institution to your department business officer. If you cannot provide a void cheque, you must complete and submit a Pre-Authorization Payment or Deposit Form. Your bank provides these forms. Note: Students must have a valid Canadian bank account.
If you have questions about Research Fellowship payments, please contact your department business officer.
Student Employment
Graduate Assistantships (GA) and Teaching Assistantships (TA) payroll is processed through the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) by the OISE Graduate Funding Office. Payments are made in equal monthly installments disbursed through direct deposit to a student employee's valid Canadian bank account. Monthly payments are paid as T4 income and are subject to applicable taxes and union dues.
