Western's New-to-Canada Grant

Western University is welcoming eligible international students who are new to Canada with a one-time, non-renewable grant of $1,000 to assist with initial settlement costs.

Eligibility

  • You are new to Canada, and you arrived within a reasonable amount of time to prepare before you start studying. Arriving up to two months before you begin your studies would be considered reasonable.
  • You are an international student and this is your first time studying in Canada.
  • You are entering graduate studies at Western’s Main Campus.
  • You are registered and commencing your graduate studies in Fall 2024, Winter 2025, or Summer 2025.
  • You have provided the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies with a copy of your valid study permit that shows a residential address outside of Canada.

International graduate students who are registered at Affiliate Colleges or at the Ivey Business School are not being considered for this grant.

Students who are attending Western as a Visiting Student, Exchange Student, or are registered in fully online programs are not eligible.

Steps to access the New-to-Canada Grant

  1. Provide a copy of your valid study permit to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies to clear your admission condition.
  2. Complete the necessary steps for registration and tuition billing.
  3. Make the necessary fee payments.
  4. Answer a short 3-question survey to confirm your eligibility.

How to Provide Proof of a Valid Study Permit

  • In person: Present your study permit at the front desk of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies located on the first floor of the International & Graduate Affairs Building, Room #1N07.
  • Online: Email a clear copy of your study permit to Kimi Maruoka at kmaruoka@uwo.ca.

How To Request a Refund

If you would like your grant funds to be deposited in your personal bank account (and not applied against the amount owing in your statement of account), please follow these steps:

  1. Set up direct deposit banking information on My Human Resources to receive grant funds via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) by visiting Important Information for Graduate Students on My Human Resources.
  2. Contact Student Financial Services through The Office of the Registrar’s Virtual Helpline to request a refund.
  3. Note that a refund is not required if your preference is to use this funding to reduce any outstanding fee balances.

Questions?

Student questions can be directed to Adrian Aguirre Jurado at aaguirr@uwo.ca.