Graduate fees and funding
Before starting your graduate program, make sure you understand your tuition and general fees, and learn about funding available
Graduate Assistantship Teaching (GAT)
As an MA student, you will normally receive one Graduate Assistantship Teaching in each of the first two years of the MA program.
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Continuation
Continued funding is dependent on your satisfactory progress in the program.
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Stipend
Currently the stipend for one GAT is $8,894.41.
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Work
You will be expected to work approximately 12 hours per week during the term of your GAT (either fall or winter).
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Ineligibility
If you take longer than two years to complete the program, you're not normally eligible for funding after the first two years.
As a PhD student, you can expect to receive funding of at least $18,000 per year (plus $1,000 per year in travel funds) for the first four years of your program. This funding will be provided from a combination of the following sources:
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Graduate Assistantship Teaching (GAT)
- You will receive one Graduate Assistantship in each year of their program.
- Currently, the stipend for one GAT is $8,894.41.
- You will be expected to work no more than 12 hours per week during the term of your GAT (either fall or winter) or if your GAT is awarded for a course that runs in both fall and winter, no more than six hours per week over both terms.
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Instructor of Record
- Once you've completed your candidacy exams (at latest by Dec. 31 of your third year in program, 28 months after the start of your program), you may be eligible to teach a course in fall or winter term as the Instructor of Record instead of a GAT.
- The stipend is $6,232, with an additional stipend of $3,000 provided by the department.
- The additional stipend is normally available for only one course per year.
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Graduate Assistantship Research (GAR)
Additional funding may be available in the form of Graduate Assistantship Research. These are funded by individual professors and typically involve working for that professor as part of his or her research team. These are handled through the graduate office.
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Graduate Assistantship non-teaching (GANT)
Individual professors may also hire graduate students in the spring and summer terms to work as research assistants. These appointments are handled by the professors rather than through the graduate office.
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Scholarships
Some additional MA funding is available in the form of scholarships awarded on the basis of merit, usually to students with a high GPA standing. These include Queen Elizabeth ll Scholarships and Alberta Graduate Student Scholarships (awarded in winter term to eligible second year MA students). The department also awards Program Recommended Scholarships:
1 - Cogeco Inc. Graduate Scholarship ($7,800)
1 - Lynda R. Hodges-Zwerman Memorial Scholarship ($4,300)
1 - Cooper H. Langford Graduate Scholarship ($900; rotates each year between four departments)Please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies Awards page for more detailed information on these awards.
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Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
The program expects all eligible students at both the MA and PhD level to apply for SSHRC funding. A workshop is held in September of each year to assist students with their applications, which are usually due in mid to late October. If students are successful in gaining external funding, the department may reduce or withdraw its funding, but will ensure that students are better off financially than they would be with departmental support alone.
Questions?
Speak to our graduate program administrator about receiving graduate funding
Scholarships and awards
Learn more about scholarships and awards available to graduate students.
Student loans
If you're a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person or American citizen, you can apply for a student loan.
Working during grad school?
Have a competing award or assistantship? The Faculty of Graduate Studies can help explain the rules and regulations concerning awards, grants and assistantships graduate students are eligible to receive.