To the best of our ability we ensure that available funds are directed to those students who are most in need, taking personal and family resources into consideration. As part of the Ontario government's Student Access Guarantee, students are expected to apply for OSAP assistance, and accept funding up to the funding limits allowed through the OSAP assessment process. Out-of-province students are expected to rely on programs of government assistance in their home provinces, but can request consideration for need-based support if they have unmet need. Assessed need which remains unmet above the OSAP or provincial student grant/loan maximums will be considered.
All students who are in receipt of OSAP but whose full direct education costs (tuition, fee and book costs) have not been considered through the OSAP assessment must apply for non-repayable institutional support to address this shortfall in OSAP funding. Applications must be submitted through the UWinAward Profile/Application at student.uwindsor.ca > Student Homepage > Award Profile.
- Student Access Bursary - Automatic consideration with submission of first need-based profile/application.
- University of Windsor In-Course Bursary - Application must be submitted through the UWinAward Profile/Application.
Fall Only Students:
Apply by October 15 and bursary funds, if approved, will be credited to the Fall tuition account on or before November 15.
Fall/Winter Students
Apply by October 15 and bursary funds, if approved, will be credited to the Winter tuition account on or before December 5.
Winter Only Students
Apply by January 31 and bursary funds, if approved, will be credited to the Winter tuition account on or before March 1.
Effective 2023-23 and beyond:
- Second-entry professional and graduate program students who are in receipt of OSAP support may apply for consideration for bursary support if they face financial challenges.
- The shortfall between the OSAP allowances for direct education costs (tuition, fee and book costs) and actual costs will be considered.
- Students who have come from the most financially disadvantaged backgrounds will have had a strong reliance on government student assistance programs (OSAP) to finance their first undergraduate experience. They will receive proportionately more non-repayable aid, while those students who have not assumed a high debt load through government student assistance programs (OSAP) throughout their first undergraduate experience will be offered proportionately less non-repayable assistance.
Those students who have accumulated OSAP debt throughout their first undergraduate degree will receive a portion of their shortfall in direct education costs (tuition, fees and book costs) as non-repayable funding. To fund the remaining shortfall, students are encouraged to apply to other scholarship and bursary programs available through the UWinAward Profile/Application, external scholarship programs, part-time employment or part-time paid experiential learning opportunities. Most financial institutional also offer low-interest, Professional Student Line of Credit programs to assist professional students with meeting their cost of attendance. The following is an example for a year professional (Education/Law) or graduate student:
*If Shortfall = $10,000
OSAP Debt: $0 - $4,999
Non-Repayable Support (Bursaries): up to 20% or $2,000
*If Shortfall = $10,000
OSAP Debt: $5,000 - $9,999
Non-Repayable Support (Bursaries): up to 30% or $3,000
*If Shortfall = $10,000
OSAP Debt: $10,000 - $14,999
Non-Repayable Support (Bursaries): up to 40% or $4,000
Student Line of Credit Referral: 50% or $5,000
*If Shortfall = $10,000
OSAP Debt: $15,000 - $19,999
Non-Repayable Support (Bursaries): up to 50% or $5,000
Student Line of Credit Referral: 40% or $4,000
*If Shortfall = $10,000
OSAP Debt (After OSOG): $20,000 +
Non-Repayable Support (Bursaries): up to 60% or $6,000
*For illustration purposes only. For year 2 and above, the OSAP debt level increases by $5,000 and $10,000 respectively.
Students who wish to manage their debtload through part-time employment may apply for the University of Windsor Work Study program.
Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Student Line of Credit (for example, due to disqualifying credit histories) will have recourse to document these circumstances through the appeal process outlined below.
Professional Student Line of Credit – Most financial institutions offer a professional student line of credit option for students purposing post-graduate and professional studies. Please contact your personal banking institution for more details and to determine your eligibility.
My application for a Professional Student Line of Credit has been denied and/or I am restricted from receiving government student support, i.e. OSAP.
Ineligibility for government financial aid support may be due to an exceptional circumstance, for example, disqualifying credit history or a situation which cannot be reflected in the financial aid assessment. An appeal for support from the University is assessed on a case-by-case basis and is dependent upon funding availability and governing regulations. A student may request assistance for University of Windsor general bursary support if ineligible for the Student Access Guarantee or other government financial aid support by submitting via email, to award1@uwindsor.ca, the following documents:
- A statement of financial need (the statement can be embedded in the email);
- Copies of parents’/spouse’s Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessments for the past 2 years;
- Documentation of current income;
- An explanation of exceptional circumstances;
- Supporting documentation to corroborate the exceptional circumstances;
- A detailed financial plan/budget for the academic year.
I have received a bursary allocation(s) however, after reviewing my budget, I will have a significant shortfall in the Winter term.
A student may request to have the level of their bursary reconsidered by submitting via email, to award1@uwindsor.ca, the following documents:
- A statement of financial need (the statement can be embedded in the email) outlining any exceptional expenses or exceptional circumstances;
- A detailed financial plan/budget for the academic year;
- Supporting documentation to corroborate the exceptional expenses (medical, dental, etc.) or exceptional circumstances.
Please allow a minimum of 4 weeks for a decision.
Iona College
@ 208 Sunset Avenue
Student Dinners
Food Bank Service
During the fall and winter semesters: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
For more information call (519) 973-7039
Student Counselling Centre
2nd floor of the CAW Student Centre, Room 293
Open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday
For more information call (519) 253-3000 Ext. 4616
City of Windsor Social Services
Students may be eligible for temporary financial assistance through Ontario Works if not receiving OSAP. For more information please contact (519) 255-5600
Community Legal Aid (CLA)
CLA provides free legal advice and representation to University of Windsor full-time undergraduates and low-income Essex County residents.
Please contact CLA at (519) 253 - 7150 to arrange an appointment.
Ontario Trillium Drug Program
The Trillium Drug Program helps people who have high drug costs in relation to their income. Trillium application kits are available at your local pharmacy or by calling the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care INFO line at 1-800-268-1154.
Credit Counselling Services of Southwestern Ontario
Contact: (519) 258-2030
Food Distribution Sites
Some restrictions may apply. Please call first for details.
St. John’s Anglican Church
3305 Sandwich St.
(519) 253-4824
Welcome Centre Shelter
263 Bridge St.
(519) 971-7595
Downtown Mission
644 Victoria St.
Food Bank and lunch served daily at noon
(519) 973-5573
Affordable Clothing
Value Village
(519) 250-8818
