Bursary and Scholarship Information

Financial Assistance Programs:

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) – students must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada or fulfill certain requirements for residence in Ontario.
Ontario Work-Study Program (OWSP) - students on OSAP are eligible to apply for the OWSP.
Graduate Students Association Travel Assistance Grants – students presenting a paper or poster abstract at a conference may apply.
Value: $500
Out of Province and Out of Country Student Loans' Programs – facilitated by the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships Office for students from out of town and out of country.

Bursaries:
OT/PT Bursaries – In 2005-2006, McMaster University provided more than $250,000 in bursary support to OT/PT students. To apply (a) Students must be fully registered in either program at the time of application (b) collected their first OSAP loan documents, and (c) qualify according to the ministry's deregulated program guidelines.
Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) – Financial assistance for students with permanent disabilities to help meet additional costs and supplies related to post secondary education. Value: $2000 from the BSWD and up to $8000 from the Study Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities.
Graduate Students Association Bursary – Limited number of awards up to a maximum of $500 per person available based on financial need. Students who are residents of Ontario, permanent residents or citizens of Canada, and have an annual income of less than $15, 500 are eligible.
The Richard and Mary Pelling Bursary Fund - Awarded to a full-time student or resident who is enrolled in a health discipline, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, specializing in Psychiatry and will have a psychiatric clinical experience at the Hamilton Health Sciences during the academic year. Candidate must demonstrate financial need. Value: $1000.

Millennium Fund:
Graduate Students Association Millennium Fund – Awarded annually to two graduate students who demonstrate commitment to the community-at-large through volunteer activities. Value: $250 each

Scholarships:
Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS) – Applicants in the 4th year of an undergraduate program or in the first year of the MSc (OT) or MSc (PT) program may apply for the OGS. Domestic and international students are permitted to apply for the OGS. Value: $15, 000.

In-course Awards:
The Laura Babiski Memorial Bursary - Established in 2000 in loving tribute to Laura Babiski, Clinical Lecturer, Occupational Therapy, in the School of Rehabilitation Science from 1991 to 2000. This scholarship is to be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the School of Rehabilitation Science to a student in Year II of the Master of Clinical Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Program, who has achieved excellence in mental health practice, demonstrated by passion for this practice area, compassion for individuals with serious mental illness and their families, recognition, advocacy and action for system change and demonstrates financial need. Value: $500
The Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy Therapy Scholarship - A scholarship will be awarded this year to the student who has completed their first year of instruction at an approved institution of higher learning, offering the following therapy courses:
Occupational Therapy
Physiotherapy
The Selection Committee is interested in the student's volunteer/employment endeavours and/or family involvement with individuals with physical disabilities. Personality, attitude and leadership attributes of the applicant will also be considered through personal/professional letters of reference. Academic and community references are acceptable. Please note that transcripts are required.
The Therapy Scholarship, in the amount of $2,000.00 is paid in two instalments of $1,000.00 each:
The first payment is given at the beginning of the fall term of the second year program. The second payment is given at the beginning of the spring term of the second year program.
Catherine Smith Student Award - The Catherine Smith Student Award was established by the SRS to honour the late Catherine Smith, a long time staff member who passed away in the spring of 2005. The award is valued at $500 and will be presented to an OT and PT student in Year 2 who exemplifies the characteristics of Catherine Smith. Catherine was loved for her qualities of honesty, integrity, a commitment to hard work and perseverance, She was also feisty and not afraid to question or challenge using a constructive approach
Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada - The Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada offers an award of $500.00 to the team of students who have achieved the highest grade for the REBP project in Unit 6.
MSc (Physiotherapy) Program - The MSc (Physiotherapy) Program offers $500.00 to support Yr.2 students travel to the CPA congress to present their research by platform or poster.
Anne Hall Memorial Fund - The Anne Hall Memorial Fund offers funds to enable physiotherapy students to travel to a professional conference to present a paper or poster during an academic year.
John Basmajian Fund - The John Basmajian Fund offers a travel award to attend a congress to present their research by platform or poster.
Ann Collins Whitmore Award of the Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada - The Ann Collins Whitmore Award of the Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada offers an award for the “top-ranked paper” (research synopsis) to receive a travel award to attend Congress 2006 in Saint John New Brunswick to present their research by platform or poster. As part of the award the individual will be allowed to register at a student rate.
Richard and Mary Pelling Scholarship Fund

Criteria:
1. The award is for all levels of studies in a health discipline at McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences
2. The award will be open to full-time students or residents enrolled in a health discipline, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University and specializing in psychiatry, and who will have psychiatric clinical experience at the Hamilton Health Sciences during the academic year. Clinical experience at Hamilton Health Sciences during the proceeding 12 months will be considered.
3. The scholarship will be awarded to one or more students or residents annually who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and who wish to continue their studies in the field of psychiatry (mental health) at McMaster University and the Department of Psychiatry, Hamilton Health Sciences.
4. Applicants must demonstrate, in writing, how the scholarship will benefit them academically and clinically in pursuing their studies in the field of psychiatry (mental health) at McMaster University.

Graduation Awards:

Occupational Therapy:

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. Value: $200
The Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists Prize. Value: Membership in OSOT and a Plaque
The Professional Practica Prize. Value: $60
The Shari Lowe Book Award. Value: $50 The Roulston Innovation Award. Value: $100
The OT Northern Studies Book Award. Value: $100

Physiotherapy

The Canadian Physiotherapy Association Award. Value: One year complimentary membership to CPA and certificate
The Hamilton District Ontario Physiotherapy Association Book Prize. Value: $250
The CPA Paediatric Award. Value: Certificate of recognition and one-year membership to the Paediatric Division of the CPA
The Canadian Physiotherapy Cardio- Respiratory Society Excellence Award. Value: $100
The Eleanor Lees Prize. Value: Book Prize
The PT Northern Studies Book Award. Value $100
The Physiotherapy Foundation Award for Professional Master's students. Value: $500
The Professional Physiotherapy Award. Value: $500

National Aboriginal Awards:

National Aboriginal Achievement Awards: full details on the criteria and value of awards available by the Grand River Post Secondary Office, Six Nations in Ontario.

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