ĂŰĚŇ´ŤĂ˝app

McGill.CA / Scholarships and Student Aid / Special Funding

Youth in/from Care Bursary

Students in or from foster care

As of ĂŰĚŇ´ŤĂ˝app, 2017, the University is piloting a new Youth in/from Care Bursary Guarantee to help current and former foster youth pursue a McGill undergraduate degree.Ěý

The program is an outcome of CafĂŠ Collab, a project funded by the Student Services Innovation Fund and involving the Social Equity and Diversity Education (SEDE) Office, Student Services and the Participatory Cultures Laboratory.Ěý We also acknowledge ’s report “Fostering Post-Secondary Success: Support Programming for Students from Foster Care”, which studied dedicated financial aid opportunities to improve the retention of current and future students from foster care.

Goals of the program

The program intends to:

  • Make McGill a welcoming and accessible place for students from a range of backgrounds
  • Assist with education costs for students who are living or have lived as youth in/from care in Canada
  • Increase the number of current or former foster care youth enrolled in and graduating with a McGill degree
  • Overcome financial barriers that make it difficult for youth in care to consider and achieve success in higher education

Award amount

A minimum guarantee per year of $5,000 OR the cost of McGill tuition, whichever is higher, for the length of an undergraduate degree, up to 4 years per recipient. This includes any McGill entrance or in-course bursary already received in a given year. In addition to this award, students with demonstrated financial need will be considered for additional aid.

Eligibility for the Youth From Care award:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • Be enrolled full time in an undergraduate degree program.ĚýExceptions are granted when students are ‘deemed full-time’, for example, due to a documented disability requiring academic accommodation as confirmed by when students are registered with the Student Accessibility & Achievement, or as recognized by government aid programs due to young dependent child(ren).
  • First undergraduate degree students (except Medicine and Law (with prior degree)).
  • Provide supporting documentation demonstrating involvement in a child welfare/protection system within Canada. This can be provided to the Student Accessibility and Achievement Office or with our office.
    Examples include:
    • a letter from any Ministry of Children and Family Development equivalent, delegated agency or social worker stating you are a current or former youth in care.
    • or a copy of your custody/non-care/extended/after-care agreement.

Eligibility for additional need based aid:

  • In additional to the points outlined above;
  • Apply for and accept the maximum available government student aid and/or Indigenous Band Support Funding. Note: We strongly encourage students to complete a government aid application by June 30 for the upcoming academic year, as this will allow us to provide McGill’s bursary as early as possible.
  • Demonstrate financial need by submitting an In-Course Financial Aid application using the Financial Aid/Awards menu in Minerva

Renewing the award

Students may continue to receive the award each year for the duration of their degree, to a maximum of four years by:

  • maintaining good academic standing
  • applying for and accepting the maximum available government student aid and/or Indigenous Band Support Funding for which you are eligible (preferably by June 30 for the upcoming academic year)
  • submitting an In-Course Financial Aid application in Minerva using the Financial Aid/Awards menu

When to apply

If you are a registered student, the In-Course Financial Aid application is open from ĂŰĚŇ´ŤĂ˝app to July 31 for any given academic year. You may apply any time when the need arises.

How to apply

  1. Log in to and click on the following:
    1. Financial Aid/Awards tab
    2. Financial Aid Menu
    3. Apply for McGill Financial Aid
    4. Apply next to In-Course Financial Aid
    5. Update your Financial Aid Profile and complete the form—please identify your youth in care status in the ‘special circumstances’ section
    6. Submit
  2. Go back to your app’ frequently! Important instructions and/or online decisions will be added to your application. An appointment may or may not be required. Visit our important information for students applying for in-course financial aid page for more details. During this meeting, not only will you have an opportunity to discuss your budget, but you will also have your in-course application reviewed in detail. Find out how you can PDF icon optimize your financial aid appointment.

Supporting documentation

Scholarships and Student Aid reserves the right to verify the information provided on the application. Inconsistencies may result in a reassessment or cancellation of your award.

Decision times

The decision is posted on the Financial Aid/Awards tab on Minerva, usually within one week of your appointment. You are alerted by email once the aid is processed.

It is your responsibility to read and act upon this information in a timely fashion. Awardees are encouraged to pay special attention to the email as it contains important information about the award.

Payment methods

Payment methods are determined by the Financial Aid Counsellor and are based on the applicant’s financial situation. Accordingly, award payments may be disbursed:

  • to a student’s fee account in one sum or divided up by semester
  • to the student by direct deposit* to assist with living expenses
  • as a payment towards a McGill student loan

*Students must set up Direct Deposit Banking with a °ä˛š˛Ô˛šťĺžą˛š˛ÔĚýbanking institution via .ĚýPlease ensure all banking information is entered correctly. Student Accounts will issue an administrative fine for transactions returned to the University due to faulty banking information.

Other financial aid services

Scholarships and Student Aid also offers these aid-related services:

Back to top