Question about Canadian funding

[laura23]

Hi, fellow Canadians  I was hoping someone could shed some light on how applying for external funding affects your chances for admission.

Obviously every program strongly recommends applying for tri-council funding, but how are applicants viewed if they don't? I am applying for CIHR, but the application is limited to 5 schools and I'm applying to 6-7. I'm just wondering if there's any point in applying to schools without having applied for funding there... I don't know if it'll look like I''m lazy or I don't really want to go there.  I'll probably go ahead and apply to those 1-2 schools anyway, but I'm just wondering how badly it'll affect my chances. 

[Oshawott]

I know some schools state on their website that the applicants should also apply for external funding as a "condition" to getting internal funding. Not sure how much they actually mean that versus how much of it is just to ensure you apply

They may ask you about whether you applied externally for funding, just have a good reason why you didn't. I'm currently at a school where I didn't apply for a tri-council grant my first year and I explained that the reason I didn't do it was because:

1) I am limited to 5 applications for masters (important to mention as this wasn't the case previously and some PI's aren't aware of this change)

2) I was applying for a provincial grant for the school (obviously limitations apply depending on which school you're going to). You're in Ontario based on your profile, so if you had to choose where to take a tri-council grant, choose out-of-province since you are able to apply to OGS.

3) the school has the best funding offer and was a two-year Master's, so I could apply to get the tri-council grant for the following year

Just be sure to communicate your reasons well to ensure them that it isn't because you don't want to go to their school. I guess the last two points are situationally applicable, but if you're going to be pragmatic, I would apply based on what puts me in the best financial situation regardless of where I go.

Edited November 1, 2016 by Oshawott

[eternallyephemeral]

You can always apply to OGS at each school directly (if they are in Ontario, of course). I'm sure there are other provincial scholarships that you could apply to in other regions.

As well, you might want to prioritize the ones that care more about this, or the ones that you want more, as the five you choose in CIHR. But consider OGS as another option.

[laura23]

Thanks guys! It seems like most other provinces require you to already be attending school or living in the province to apply to their scholarships, so that's definitely something to consider. I think I'll try to prioritize my top choices and schools outside of Ontario. 

[lewin]

On 10/31/2016 at 10:42 AM, laura23 said:

I am applying for CIHR, but the application is limited to 5 schools

[deleted, I answered my own question]

Edited November 10, 2016 by lewin