The Institution-Funded Special Bursary Program is intended for students who are unable to attend postsecondary studies on a full-time basis due to special circumstances. Primarily, it is for students with dependents (sole-support students) or for students with a disability who are taking only one or two courses.
The Institution-Funded Special Bursary (IFSB) offers financial assistance to help cover your educational costs.The amount of bursary you may receive for the academic year will depend on your eligible educational costs, such as tuition, books, travel costs and child care costs.
The maximum bursary amount you can receive is $2,500 per academic year.
In order to continue to be eligible for future IFSB funding you must successfully complete both past and currently funded IFSB sessions.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for a Special Bursary at York University if:

  • You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Person as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada);
  • Your family income is below the threshold for a given family size;
  • You are not receiving grant or loan funding from:
    • The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP);
    • The Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP);
    • Second Career;
    • A student financial assistance program from another province, territory or country.
  • You are registered for English as a Second Language (YUELI).
  • You are taking courses at York University and are:
    • Enrolled on a part-time basis in a postsecondary program that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate, or;
    • Taking approved courses on a full- or a part-time basis to upgrade your academic skills.
  • Your study period is at least four weeks in length.

You are considered part-time if you are enrolled in courses that constitute less than 60% of a full course load. If you are a student who has a permanent disability and are studying at between 40% and 60% of a full course load you can choose to be treated as full- or part-time. If you choose to be considered part-time, you are eligible to apply for a Special Bursary through IFSB.
Here are examples of a part-time course and credit load:

  • If 5 courses are considered a full course load, then 2 courses are
    40 percent (2 ÷ 5 x 100 = 40).
  • If 30 credits are considered a full course load, then 16 credits are
    53 percent (16 ÷ 30 x 100 = 53).

In some cases, factors other than courses or credits are used to determine course load. Contact our office if you have any questions regarding your part-time/full-time status.

Conditions for Special Bursary

You cannot receive a Special Bursary during the same study period in which you are receiving OSAP, CSLP, Second Career, or student financial assistance from another province, territory or country.
However, if you have extra education-related expenses for services and equipment resulting from a disability, you may also be eligible for an Ontario Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD).
If you leave school or drop a course, you may be required to repay a portion of the Special Bursary back to your institution. You may not be entitled to the full amount of the Special Bursary if you do not finish the course(s) as planned.
Funding received through a Special Bursary is taxable. If you receive a bursary, your institution will issue you a T4A in February indicating the total amount of bursary assistance.

Application Process

To apply for a Special Bursary, please contact Glendon Student Financial Services.
If you are married or are in a common-law relationship, the application form must be completed by you and your spouse.
You will find instructions for completing individual questions or items on the application form itself. If you need more information or help completing the application, come see us in York Hall C138 or contact us.