The Fund
University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Opportunity Fund is a $100,000 fund established to support individuals wanting to enroll in University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies courses* but who are unable to do so due to the financial challenges brought about by the circumstances of COVID-19.
This one-time, non-repayable tuition bursary is intended to assist in financing course tuition costs and is in addition to any existing annual SCS bursaries.
The application period for the SCS Opportunity Fund is now closed.
Value
Tuition bursaries with a value of up to $750.00 will be awarded until the full value of the fund has been depleted. Bursary value is not to exceed course cost. Funds carry no cash value and cannot be refunded or applied to future credit with SCS. All bursary credits must be used within 3 weeks of approval.
Eligibility
- Learners may only apply once to the Opportunity Fund.
- Learners with current outstanding debts to the School of Continuing Studies are not eligible.
- Support from the Opportunity Fund cannot be used in conjunction with any promotional discounts, including (but not limited to) the OBPAP bursary, OBEC discount, CWCC discount, Comparative Education Services discount, U of T Alumni Benefit, or U of T Staff tuition waiver. Current recipients of the SCS Bursary or the Academy for Lifelong Learning Bursary are not eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons who are eligible to work in Canada.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:
1. Demonstration of financial need.
Applicants must provide documentation verifying that they have been impacted the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. This can be in the form of proof of EI benefits, CERB benefits, lay-off notice, letter from employer showing reduced or loss of wages or a signed declaration of impact for freelancers, contract workers, sole proprietors and part-time workers.
2. The degree to which funding will assist with achieving the applicant’s learning objectives.
Applicants who meet these criteria will be randomly selected to receive tuition support until the full amount of the Opportunity Fund has been spent. Eligible applicants will be entered in to a weekly random draw with a maximum of $25,000 disbursed in each of 4 consecutive weeks. Those applications that are not drawn in the first week(s) will be entered in to the subsequent draws. The first draw will occur the week beginning May 4, 2020. Weekly draws will continue until all funds are disbursed.
It is expected that all information provided on bursary applications and subsequent discussions will be truthful and accurate. If there is evidence of misrepresentation of financial circumstances, applicants or awardees will be disqualified and any funds awarded will be rescinded.
Application Procedures
Applications for the SCS Opportunity Fund are no longer being accepted.
We cannot guarantee that your application will receive funding. If you meet the criteria, funds are still available, and your name has been selected by random draw, you will be notified by email or phone within 4-6 weeks from the time of applying. Only successful recipients will be notified.
Once approved for a tuition bursary, you will be asked to pay the balance of the course costs (if any) in full upon registration. You will also be required to provide your Social Insurance Number and identity verification at this time for tax purposes. Learners who register and pay for courses prior to being notified of a bursary approval are not eligible to receive a course refund. All bursary credits must be used within 3 weeks of approval.
*Excluding online health science courses offered in collaboration with Faculty of Medicine. Excluding U of T SCS Coding, Data, Cybersecurity, UX/UI and FinTech Boot Camps. Excluding the International Pharmacy Graduate Program. Excluding the Certificate in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and the Certificate in Applied Mindfulness-Based Chronic Pain Management Certification, offered in collaboration with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. Excluding online courses in the Certificate in Data Science, offered in collaboration with the University of Waterloo WatSPEED.