Support for Students Impacted by Conflict or War
The University of Toronto is committed to supporting students who have had their education disrupted by conflict or war, including scholars and students from Afghanistan, Iran, Ukraine, and Syria.
Through the following programs, the university provides non-repayable bursary support to undergraduate and graduate students who are, or have been within the last five years, anywhere in the world (regardless of status in Canada) or whose current or proposed program of study has been impacted by changing political environments in their country of current or future study, including changes in immigration law.
Scholars and Students at Risk Award Program
The Scholars at Risk Award Program supports undergraduate and graduate students:
- Who are, or have been within the last five years, asylum-seekers or refugees anywhere in the world (regardless of status in Canada), or
- Whose current or proposed program of study has been impacted by changing political environments in their country of current or future study, including changes in immigration law, or
- Are studying on a temporary basis (e.g. exchange) at the University of Toronto during a time of conflict or political turmoil in the country in which they are registered. These students would have special registration status.
Award Type: Admission current students grant
Action: Application required
Availability: Domestic students, international students
Level of Study: Graduate Undergraduate
Actual Deadline Date: Application Closed for 2025/2026
Value/Amount: up to $10,000
- A student who is, or has been within the last 5 years, an asylum/refugee seeker anywhere in the world (regardless of status in Canada); OR whose current or proposed program of study has been impacted by changing political environments in their country of current or future study, including changes in immigration law; or
- A registered full-time student or a newly admitted student, or a student that has accepted an offer of admission as a transfer student to an undergraduate program on a full-time basis at the University of Toronto for the upcoming academic year, or
- A student studying on a temporary basis (e.g. exchange) at the University of Toronto during a time of conflict or political turmoil in the country in which they are registered. These students would have special registration status.
- A student that can demonstrate financial need.
- Complete the U of T Student Awards Application and describe your current status within the last five years as either an asylum seeker or refugee (regardless of status in Canada) and how your proposed program of study has been impacted by changing political environments in your country of current or future study, including changes in immigration law.
- Undergraduate and graduate applications for this program are administered by the University Registrar’s Office.
- Paper applications or applications sent by email will not be accepted.
- Applicants will be informed of the award decisions by email. This is usually within a month or two after the application deadline.
- Award recipients will receive an award letter by email. The award letter will include information on the award payment and should be kept for future reference.
Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship
The University of Toronto has established the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship Fund in honour of those who lost their lives in the downing of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752, including eight members of the University of Toronto community. The first of these needs-based awards were awarded in Spring 2021 for students studying at U of T in the 2021-22 academic year.
Award Type: Admission Current students
Action: Application Required
Availability: Domestic Students International Students
Level of Study: Graduate Undergraduate
Deadline to Apply: Application opens on Monday, September 8 and application closes on Friday, November 28 at 5pm
Value/Amount: Varies. Scholarship recipient(s) will be notified in January 2026
Academic Year: 2025-2026
The Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship provides needs-based awards to students who meet either criteria: (a) To be awarded to international students from Iran on admission to the University of Toronto in an undergraduate or graduate program (b) To be awarded to domestic or international students studying Iranian studies at the University of Toronto.
Students must be admitted to the University of Toronto in an undergraduate or graduate program before they can apply for the award.
Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship
On February 24, 2022, the Russian military invaded Ukraine, resulting in a record outflow of refugees and a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis. In recognizing the Ukrainian people’s resolve in this war, the Ontario government has provided funds for the Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship to support undergraduate and graduate students. As part of the application, you will be asked to describe how you have been impacted by the Ukrainian conflict or other global conflicts. The scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis using both academic and financial need criteria.
Award Type: Current students
Action: Application required
Availability: Domestic students, international students
Level of Study: Graduate Undergraduate
Actual Deadline Date: Friday February 6, 2026 at 5pm
Value/Amount: Four awards of $10,000
The Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship is available to all students (domestic and international, full-time and part-time) who are attending U of T in the 2025-26 academic year. Residency status and/or citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility, however a student must be physically present in Ontario to qualify.
- Complete the U of T Student Awards Application
- Paper applications or applications sent by email will not be accepted.
- Applicants will be informed of the award decisions by email. This is usually within a month or two after the application deadline.
- Award recipients will receive an award letter by email. The award letter will include information on the award payment and should be kept for future reference.