Working off campus with NSERC PGSM award?

[Nobel]

Hi,

I'm a second year Masters student in Toronto. I'm holding a NSERC PGS-M award for my second year of Masters, however, I do not receive any sort of money from anywhere else. This year for my study loan I received only a lump sum amount since I mentioned that I will be receiving NSERC. Now the problem is with high tuition fee, I am really struggling to survive with my wife. My wife is doing a temporary part time job to cover some expenses, but it has been really hard for us. In this situation, I was planning to do a part time job, however, one of my friends told me that while holding the NSERC award, I cannot do off campus job. Can anyone please confirm this? I would be really grateful.

[tarski]

You should probably ask your department. Here's some stuff from their website that might be relevant:

-NSERC expects award holders to devote the majority of their time to the expeditious completion of their degree program. As a guideline, NSERC strongly suggests that award holders limit the number of hours of employment per 12-month period to 450 hours. Universities may, however, set their own guidelines. Please contact your university for further information.

-Part-time PGS/CGS holders: No employment is permitted during tenure of the award without NSERC's prior authorization.

http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/Guides-Guides/PGSCGSRegs-ESESCRegs_eng.asp#other