Study Abroad Scholarship · Masters, PhD

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Q: Is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship for students studying in India or for Indian students studying in Canada?

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) program is designed to encourage excellence in graduate studies at publicly-assisted universities *in Ontario, Canada*. While it is open to international students, including those from India, it requires recipients to be studying in Ontario under a valid study permit.

Q: What are the minimum academic requirements to be eligible for the OGS?

Applicants must generally have achieved a first-class average (an A- or at least 80% equivalent) in each of their last two completed years of full-time study. Some universities may specify an equivalent GPA, such as 3.70/4.30.

Q: Can I hold other scholarships or awards simultaneously with the OGS?

Generally, students cannot hold an OGS concurrently with other major government-funded awards such as those from SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, QEII-GSST, or another OGS, if they overlap within the same award year. However, some universities may allow holding other graduate awards or fellowships in addition to the OGS, as long as they are not explicitly prohibited and do not exceed certain funding limits. It is crucial to check with the specific university's graduate awards office for their policies on holding multiple awards.

Government of Ontario · All India

Annual AwardCAD 15,000 (approx. ₹10.1 Lakh+)

Deadline16 Nov

Scheme Name	Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Provided By	Government of Ontario
Eligibility Summary	Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income)

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About the Program

Comprehensive guide for Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.

Benefits & Financial Support

CAD 15,000 (approx. ₹10.1 Lakh+)

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is valued at CAD 15,000 annually for one year, paid in installments of CAD 5,000 per term for three consecutive terms. Alternatively, an award of CAD 10,000 is provided for two consecutive study terms. The scholarship is jointly funded by the Province of Ontario (two-thirds) and the university offering the award (one-third). This scholarship is for study in Ontario, Canada, and does not involve Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts in India.

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Academic Achievement:Applicants must have achieved a first-class average (minimum A- or 80%) in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent). For students entering their third year of graduate studies, an A- average on all completed graduate courses is required.
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Nationality:Open to Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, or Protected Persons. International students studying in Ontario with a valid study permit are also eligible for a limited number of awards.
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Enrollment Status:Must be registered or intend to register full-time in an eligible Master's or PhD program at a participating publicly-assisted university in Ontario. Full-time is typically defined as 60% of a full course load, or 40% for students with a permanent disability.
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Program Duration:Studies must cover at least two consecutive academic terms (sessions) within the academic year.
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Maximum Support Limitations:Master's students can receive OGS for a maximum of two academic years, and doctoral students for a maximum of four academic years. A combined lifetime maximum of six years of government-funded graduate awards (including OGS, QEII-GSST, CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC, Vanier, OTS) applies.
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Other Conditions:Applicants cannot be in default on any Canadian government-sponsored loan. Recipients cannot hold another major scholarship (e.g., from SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, Vanier, QEII) concurrently with an OGS in the same term or award year. Students cannot be enrolled in a qualifying or make-up year, or be on a paid educational leave or sabbatical.

Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit

Education Level	Masters, PhD
Course / Stream	Masters, PhD
Minimum Marks	80%
Income Limit	No income bar
Category / Caste	General, OBC, SC, ST
Domicile State	All India

Mandatory Documents Checklist

✓Ontario Graduate Scholarship application form (university-specific)
✓Two academic assessment forms or letters of recommendation from academics (submitted directly by referees from official institutional/corporate email addresses)
✓Official, up-to-date transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate studies (including the Fall semester of the application year)
✓A two-page study plan or research proposal (one page for the plan, one page for references/citations)
✓Copy of a valid student study permit (for international students only)
✓Curriculum Vitae (CV) or details of professional experience
✓Evidence of previous honors, publications, or research background
✓Indigenous verification process documentation (if applicable)

Selection Process

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The selection process for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship is merit-based, recognizing academic excellence
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Applicants are assessed and ranked using criteria determined by the individual university and its graduate unit
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Typically, evaluation considers previous academic honors, publications, research expertise, the study plan, judgment, inventiveness, initiative, autonomy, interaction with supervisors and peers, and the ability to lead and complete projects within the allocated time
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Eligible applications are reviewed by a Faculty Selection Committee and then a University Selection Committee.

Renewal Policy

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The OGS awards are not automatically renewable but are awarded annually based on continued eligibility, availability, and departmental recommendation
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Students must remain enrolled as full-time students in an eligible program
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Master's students can receive the OGS for a maximum of two academic years, and doctoral students for a maximum of four academic years
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There is a combined lifetime maximum of six years for all government-funded graduate awards, including OGS
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Recipients who withdraw, transfer to part-time studies, or fail to complete the term in which an OGS installment has been issued may be required to repay the award.

How to Apply Online

Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.

1
Choose a Participating University
Identify an eligible publicly-assisted university in Ontario where you wish to pursue your master's or doctoral studies.
2
Check University-Specific Requirements and Deadlines: Each university administers the OGS independently and sets its own application deadlines, which typically fall between December and February for the following academic year. Visit the graduate studies or financial aid website of your chosen university for their specific OGS application details for the 2025-26 or 2026-27 academic year.
3
Gather Required Documents
Prepare all necessary application documents, which generally include: * A completed OGS application form (provided by the university). * Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, including all undergraduate and graduate studies, up to the fall semester of the application year. * Academic assessment(s) or reference letter(s) from a professor who can comment on your academic abilities (usually one is required and submitted directly by the referee). * A valid study permit or proof of a submitted study permit application for international students. * A research proposal or statement of interest, depending on the program and university requirements.
4
Complete and Submit the Application
Follow your university's instructions for submitting your application. This is often done online through the university's student portal or by submitting a PDF application package to the relevant graduate department.
5
Track Application Status
Universities typically notify applicants of the results in April each year. You may be able to track your application status through your university's online portal or by contacting their graduate awards office.

Common Questions (FAQs)

Is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship for students studying in India or for Indian students studying in Canada?

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) program is designed to encourage excellence in graduate studies at publicly-assisted universities *in Ontario, Canada*. While it is open to international students, including those from India, it requires recipients to be studying in Ontario under a valid study permit.

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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Government of Ontario website before final submission.