Ontario Trillium Scholarship

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Syed Yusuf Ashraf

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Ontario Trillium Scholarship is an initiative by the Ontario government to help international students pursue a Ph.D. degree at one of the top universities in Ontario. The scholarships is renewable for up to 4 years and is awarded in a 2:3 to 2:1 ratio from government to institutions. A total of 15 types of scaholarships are available in this program for eligible doctoral students. The universities in Ontario select candidates and award scholarships on the basis of program criteria and candidates’ merit supporting their education and academic development in the Canadian province.

All eligible students will be awarded an scholarship worth 40,000 CAD annually while pursuing the doctoral degree. Each university’s unit of graduate studies administers the distribution of these scholarships. Applications are received and evaluated by the universities and students are selected accordingly.

Application Deadline

The Application deadlines for the scholarships typically varies from university to university. Most universities begins nominations for scholarships from September. 


Highlights

Scholarship TypeMerit-Based
Offered byGovernment bodies
OrganizationOntario Government
Application DeadlineN/A
Number of Scholarships75
Amount₹2,417,375 ($28,961)
RenewabilityNo
International Student EligibleYes
Scholarship Website LinkN/A

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria may differ based on scholarship type and the university it is offered with. Suitable candidates are nominated in the winter session for getting admitted to the following fall, spring or winter terms.

To be eligible for receiving OTS, an applicant must:

  • be an international student with a valid Canadian student visa.
  • be proficient in English by the time of application.
  • intend to enroll in a doctoral-level, full-time degree-granting graduate program.
  • Applicants Must Current not Hold other Canadian Scholarships including but not limited to the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST), UW Provost Graduate Scholarship.
  • Must be willing to enroll in a doctoral program at a university in Ontario.
  • Have achieved a minimum average of 8.0 on 10.0 scale in the full-time master’s degree which is equivalent to 80% in Ontario. 
  • The candidates not have completed a ug or pg degree at any university or college in Ontario immediately after applying for admission to the doctoral program under the OTS. 
  • not be a current student at a post-secondary institution in Ontario at the graduate or undergraduate level.

Application Process

Each eligible university’s unit of graduate studies oversees the application and selection processes for the Ontario Trillium Scholarship. Every institution has its own application process for the OTS program.

Following are the documents required to apply for the Ontario Trillium Scholarship:

  • Appropriately filled application form
  • A copy of all the university transcripts
  • A valid Canadian study permit
  • A copy of the applicant’s average calculation
  • Proof of standardized tests like IELTS, SAT, etc.
  • Candidate’s letters of recommendation
  • A list of the applicant’s research contributions
  • A list of awards and scholarships received by the applicant
  • Applicant’s CV
  • Candidate’s plan of studies
  • The OTS letter of support from an authorized supervisor
  • Proof of good health

Most universities like the University of Toronto, University of Ottawa, York University, etc. automatically nominate eligible high-performing students who have applied for admission.


Selection Process

A selection committee, chosen by the Vice-Provost, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS), is charged with evaluation of the files and selection of the recipients of the Ontario Trillium Scholarship. Students are selected on the basis of their merit and program criteria.

Terms and Conditions

A candidate can request for an interruption of a Trillium by getting approval for up to a year’s leave. The interruption of a Trillium cannot exceed 12 consecutive months and can be approved in case of:

  • Maternity or parental leave
  • Immigration process
  • Compassionate leave (example: bereavement)
  • Medical or family leave

A recipient will have to repay the award received if he/she:

  • Transfers to another institution
  • Completes the program prior to the scholarship’s natural end
  • Withdraws from the program
  • Could not maintain acceptable academic standing
  • Loses full-time status
  • Loses eligibility for the renewal of OTS

Grant Details

The Ontarioa Trillium Scholarships was introduced by the government of Ontario in November 2010 as an initiative to admit highly qualified students to pursue the doctoral degree in the region. Various prestigious universities in Ontario combinw their funds with the ones provided by the government to assist and host meritorious international students for doctoral studies.

International students looking for research opportunities in Canada and wish to pursue a Ph.D. program in any discipline at one of the top universities in Ontario, can apply for the OTS program as long as they meet the set eligibility criteria.

Terms and Conditions

  • In case an OTS recipient gets a permanent residency in Canada after the starting of the first term, he/she will continue to be eligible for the renewal OTS for the remaining three years.
  • Applicants must not hold any additional scholarship/ funding from:
  • Recipients who withdraw, fail to complete the term or transfer to part-time status without consulting with Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) will have to repay the received funds.

Each Ontario Trillium Scholarship is worth 40,000 CAD annually and is automatically renewed for up to four years, provided the recipients maintain their academic standing and continue to meet the scholarship eligibility criteria. Funding for this program is dependent on the provincial government’s annual confirmation of support.

FAQs

Ques. What is Ontario Trillium Scholarship Program?

Ans. Ontario Trillium Scholarship Program is a funding opportunity provided to international students who want to pursue a research doctoral program in one of the top universities in Ontario.

Ques. Who funds the Ontario Trillium Scholarship?

Ans. The funding for the OTS program is shared by the Ontario government and eligible institutions in Ontario in a ratio of 2:1. 26,666 CAD are contributed by the government and 13,333 CAD by the institution.

Ques. Who can apply for the OTS Program?

Ans. Students who do not hold a Canadian Residency and have a valid study permit to Canada are eligible for an offer. Additionally, applicant must:

  • be proficient in English
  • enroll in a full-time doctoral degree program
  • hold an 8.0/10 or A - average in both the years of full-time study

Ques. What is the closing deadline for the 2023 Ontario Trillium Scholarship?

Ans. The closing deadlines or the application deadline varies with the university or college a student enrolls in. Applicants must visit the university website for the details.

Ques. When will the results for the OTS Program be available?

Ans. Since the application deadlines vary with the university, suitable applicants are nominated in winter for the following fall, spring or winter term.

Ques. What is the award amount under the Ontario Trillium Scholarship?

Ans. An award amount of 40,000 USD is awarded each year to doctoral students.

Ques. Is the Ontario Trillium Scholarship renewable?

Ans. Yes. The OTS award is renewable for up to four years depending on the recipients maintaining their academic standing.

Ques. Who selects the eligible candidates for the Ontario Trillium Scholarship?

Ans. Each eligible university in Ontario selects and awards scholarship candidates based on merit and program criteria.

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