Now Available – Parental Support for Graduate Students (PDAD&C #112)

The School of Graduate Studies is pleased to introduce the new SGS Parental Grant to assist graduate students and their new families. The SGS Parental Grant provides financial assistance to full-time domestic and international students in the funded cohort of a research-stream doctoral program who experience a loss or reduction in funding during an approved parental leave of absence.

Created in consultation with graduate students, units, and faculty, the SGS Parental Grant offers up to $4,000 for primary caregivers of a newborn or newly adopted child during an approved leave of at least one academic session (equivalent to 4 months). Birth mothers who have been granted at least two academic sessions (8 months) of parental leave can apply for a second grant payment of up to $4,000.

Graduate students on parental leave who access physician care from Health and Wellness prior to their leave will maintain uninterrupted medical and psychiatric care for the duration of their leave and need not opt-in to pay compulsory non-academic incidental fees. The School of Graduate Studies also offers financial assistance to students who wish to access Hart House Fitness Centre during their parental leave.

While students can initiate the grant application process, graduate units are asked to complete and support the application. For more information, please visit the SGS Parental Grant webpage or contact:

Michelle Ekuban
Graduate Student Financial Advisor
School of Graduate Studies
m.ekuban@utoronto.ca