Dependants Scholarship Program (DSP)
New for academic year 2026-2027
For academic year 2026-2027 we have launched a new online application portal for the Dependants Scholarship Program.
Employee Login Student LoginEligibility
This scholarship program is for dependants of University of Toronto Faculty Members (including Full-time Clinical Academic Appointees and Affiliated Scientists), Librarians, Professionals/Managers and Research Associates (those covered under the Policy for Research Associates (limited term) and Senior Research Associates) who are studying on a full-time basis in an eligible program of study at an eligible institution. For those studying part-time at the University of Toronto, the tuition waiver program remains in effect.
Value of Scholarship
For dependants of eligible faculty members & librarians who hold an appointment of 76% or greater, the value of the scholarship is equal to 65% of the amount of the academic fees for five full courses in a general program in Arts and Science at the University of Toronto. For faculty members and librarians who hold an appointment of 25%-75%, the value is pro-rated to the actual FTE.
For dependants of full-time eligible Professionals/Managers and Research Associates, the value of the scholarship is equal to 50% of the amount of the academic fees for five full courses in a general program in Arts and Science at the University of Toronto. For part-time Professionals/Managers and Research Associates with appointments of 25%-99%, the value will be pro-rated to the actual FTE.
Value of Scholarship
For dependants of eligible faculty members & librarians who hold an appointment of 76% or greater, the value of the scholarship is equal to 65% of an Ontario resident’s academic fees for five full courses in a general program in Arts and Science at the University of Toronto. For faculty members and librarians who hold an appointment of 25%-75%, the value is pro-rated to the actual FTE.
For dependants of full-time eligible Professionals/Managers and Research Associates, the value of the scholarship is equal to 50% of an Ontario resident’s academic fees for five full courses in a general program in Arts and Science at the University of Toronto. For part-time Professionals/Managers and Research Associates with appointments of 25%-99%, the value will be pro-rated to the actual FTE.
Applying
To ensure prompt payment of the scholarship, please make sure to complete the application before the end of the first study term of the academic year for which you are applying.
Step 1: Employee submits preliminary application on the new DSP Employee Portal. Once submitted a personalized link will be forwarded to the Dependant Student.
Step 2: Dependant Student completes the application and submits required documents on the new DSP Student Portal.
After Applying
The University Registrar’s Office will review the application and determine the applicant’s eligibility. They will then advise the student directly via email of the value and terms of the scholarship, payment procedure and the renewal requirements.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please reach out to: dependants.scholarship@utoronto.ca.
Payment of the Scholarship
The scholarship will be credited to the student’s account after classes begin in September. Information on deferring fees or making partial fee payments with scholarship.
This scholarship is taxable income and T4As will be provided via ACORN. Tax information.
Co-op Programs
For students enrolled in co-op programs, the scholarship payment is completed off-cycle according to each individual student’s academic term completion dates. To be eligible for scholarship renewal, co-op students are required to have completed a full year of academic studies, have met the scholarship’s renewal requirements, and have registered in an upcoming academic term. The scholarship is not available during co-op terms.
The scholarship funds will be forwarded to the appropriate institution and released to the student in accordance with the institution’s normal procedure for processing external scholarship payments once they have confirmed enrollment in a full-time course load (80% or greater). Students must make the necessary arrangements with their University to ensure that payment and registration deadlines are met. The University of Toronto cannot guarantee to meet deadlines, or guarantee the release date of funds at external institutions.
This scholarship is taxable income and T4As will be issued to all student recipients.
Co-op Programs
For students enrolled in co-op programs, the scholarship payment is completed off-cycle according to each individual student’s academic term completion dates. To be eligible for scholarship renewal, co-op students are required to have completed a full year of academic studies, have met the scholarship’s renewal requirements, and have registered in an upcoming academic term. The scholarship is not available during co-op terms.
The scholarship funds will be issued to the student recipient directly. A cheque will be mailed to the student’s mailing address once proof full-time enrolment is received.
This scholarship is taxable income and T4As will be issued to all student recipients.
Co-op Programs
For students enrolled in co-op programs, the scholarship payment is completed off-cycle according to each individual student’s academic term completion dates. To be eligible for scholarship renewal, co-op students are required to have completed a full year of academic studies, have met the scholarship’s renewal requirements, and have registered in an upcoming academic term. The scholarship is not available during co-op terms.
Terms and Conditions
This scholarship program is for dependants of University of Toronto Faculty Members (including Full-time Clinical Academic Appointees), Librarians, Professionals/Managers and Research Associates (those covered under the Policy for Research Associates (limited term) and Senior Research Associates) who are studying on a full-time basis in an eligible program of study at an eligible institution. For those studying part-time at the University of Toronto, the tuition waiver program remains in effect.
For dependants of eligible faculty members & librarians who hold an appointment of 76% or greater, the value of the scholarship is equal to 65% of an Ontario resident’s academic fees for five full courses in a general program in Arts and Science at the University of Toronto. For faculty members and librarians who hold an appointment of 25%-75%, the value is pro-rated to the actual FTE.
For dependants of full-time eligible Professionals/Managers and Research Associates, the value of the scholarship is equal to 50% of an Ontario resident’s academic fees for five full courses in a general program in Arts and Science at the University of Toronto. For part-time Professionals/Managers and Research Associates with appointments of 25%-99%, the value will be pro-rated to the actual FTE.
Payment of the award is conditional on full-time registration (minimum 80% course load) in September in an eligible institution in an eligible program.
Students who withdraw or who substantially reduce their course-load during the academic year (September – April) may be required to repay all or part of the award.
“Dependant” means a child, step-child, son, stepson, daughter, stepdaughter, or spouse of a faculty member, librarian professional/manager or research associate.
“Eligible Faculty Member, Librarian, Professional/Manager or Research Associate” means a faculty member, librarian, professional/ manager or research associate who holds a regular staff appointment, whether full-time, part-time of 25% or more, or a sessional appointment, during the academic session, with a start date prior to September 1 of the year for which the scholarship application is made. The value of the scholarship shall be pro-rated to the actual FTE. Sessional, contract or term appointments will receive the same consideration as continuing appointments. Dependants of faculty members, librarians, professionals/managers or research associates who have retired are eligible for the scholarship program with the value of the scholarship based on the retiree’s FTE in their final year of employment.
“Eligible Full-time Clinical Academic Appointee” means a clinical faculty member who is engaged in academic work for at least 80% of their professional working time. The Clinical Academic Appointee may work part-time but devote 80% or more of their professional work time to academic work. This is called full-time equivalent. For full-time equivalent appointments, the scholarship shall be pro-rated to the proportion of academic activity. The employee’s start date must be prior to September 1 of the year for which the scholarship application is made.
“Eligible Affiliated Scientist” means an individual appointed to a Status-Only role in any Faculty who meets the criteria outlined in the October 1, 2024 memo Establishment of “Affiliated Scientist” Subgroup within Status-Only Category (PDAD&C#13). The employee’s start date must be prior to September 1 of the year for which the scholarship application is made.
“Eligible Institution” means any four-year-degree-granting institution (or its equivalent if the institution is outside North America) or Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology which is recognized by the University of Toronto for transfer credit purposes.
“Eligible Program of Study” means a program of study leading to a first undergraduate degree or certificate and which does not require prior undergraduate preparation.
“Eligible Student” means a student who is the dependant of a faculty member, librarian, affiliated scientist, professional/manager or research associate and who is enrolled as a full-time student in an eligible institution in an eligible program of study and who:
(a) is enrolling in the first year of studies and has attained at least an 75% average in the student’s best six grade 12 4U or 4M courses. Students from other educational jurisdictions must present equivalent qualifications (Admission Scholarship); or
(b) has attained an average of at least “B” in the student’s most recent year of eligible program of studies (In-program Scholarship); or
(c) having been granted a scholarship under this program in the previous year, continues to be eligible to proceed in the student’s eligible program of study and who is not on academic probation (Continuing Scholarship).
“Spouse” means a person who is living with the faculty member, librarian, professional/manager or research associate in a conjugal relationship, whether or not the persons are legally married to each other, and includes persons who are of the same sex or of the opposite sex of the faculty member, librarian or professional/manager or research associate.
Resources
Contact
If you have any questions, please reach out to: dependants.scholarship@utoronto.ca.
Policies
- Policies for Professionals and Managerial Staff
- Policies for Research Associates
- Policies for Affiliated Scientists
- For an original and complete version of the policy for the Faculty Members and Librarians consult the University Policy Handbook. This is the unofficial copy of the handbook available on the Governing Council website.
- For information regarding the value of the academic fees for five full courses in a general program (Bachelors) in Arts and Science at the University of Toronto, refer to the tuition fee schedule for 2026-27 (2026-27 Tuition Fees – Schedule 2 – Appendix B: Table B1 (Pg.34)).