OGS – Required to Apply
All new First Year PhD Students (including International) with an Admission Average of 80% + above
All Second Year PhD Students (including International) with a current average of 80% + above
All Third Year PhD Students (including International) with a current average of 80% + above
All First Year MEd Students who received a WGRS Letter stating they must apply

OGS – Should Apply
All Fourth Year PhD Students who (may) be registered for a 5th year in the PhD program
All Second Year MEd Students who intend to apply to a PhD program for the 2009-2010 academic year

SSHRC Doctoral - Required to Apply
All new First Year PhD Students with an Admission Average of 80% + above
All Second Year PhD Students with a current average of 80% + above
All Third Year PhD Students with a current average of 80% + above

CGS-Master’s (SSHRC) – Required to Apply
All First Year MEd Students who received a WGRS Letter stating they must apply

SSHRC - Should Apply
Second year MEd students who are applying for a PhD program for next year with an average of 80%+

Please note that International Students (those with Study Permits) are not eligible to apply for SSHRC or CGS-Master's awards.

If I win an award, how soon can I get the money?

These award competitions are always for what you will be doing in the following school year. Successful applicants may be able to take up their award starting as early as the following summer term (i.e. May 1st), but please review the information on the applicable award's web site, and contact the Graduate Office if your application is successful.

I am a part time student.�Am I eligible to apply?

Any student (currently part-time or full-time) can apply to OGS or SSHRC if they intend to be registered as a FULL-TIME student for the following academic year when the award would be taken up, if won. Also, they must have a current average of 80%.

How is my average (eligibility) calculated for OGS & SSHRC?

	OGS	SSHRC
Masters	-must have minimum 80.0 (no rounding up) average based on last full 10 courses/20 half courses (or equivalent); typically last 2 years of study -unlike admission averages, no courses are omitted (i.e. AQ, B.Ed.)	-must have minimum 80.0 (no rounding up) average in each of last 2 years of study. Instead of an average of last two years (10 full/20 half courses) combined, this is an average of each of the years - 5 full courses/10 half courses (or equivalent) separately.
Doctoral	-assuming Masters degree has been completed in 6 terms or more full time, or 12 terms or more part time, graduate level grades only are used regardless of the number of courses completed. -if a student completed the Masters degree in less than 6 terms (i.e. has completed less than 6 terms of graduate study), we must then use the last full 10 courses/20 half courses (or equivalent). Unlike admission averages, no courses are omitted (i.e. AQ, B.Ed.).	-assuming Masters degree has been completed in 6 terms or more full time, or 12 terms or more part time, graduate level grades only are used regardless of the number of courses completed. -if a student completed the Masters degree in less than 6 terms (i.e. has completed less than 6 terms of graduate study), we must then use the last full 10 courses/20 half courses (or equivalent). Unlike admission averages, no courses are omitted (i.e. AQ, B.Ed.).

I have already completed another Masters (or Doctoral) degree - am I still eligible to apply?

If you are in the first year of your second Master's. - NO, due to total time of study at the Masters level.

If you are in your second year of the M.Ed. and will be applying to a doctoral program next year - YES.

If you are in your second Doctoral program - NO.

I am unsure whether my research fits under the SSHRC, NSERC or CIHR mandate. How do I determine which Federal Agency I should be applying to?

Please see this web page, Selecting the Appropriate Federal Funding Agency, and consult with your academic supervisor. Note that CIHR applications are sent directly to CIHR and the NSERC deadline is earlier than the SSHRC deadline. Please contact Karen Kueneman if you have questions about deadlines.

Where do I go to apply?

OGS: go to https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/PRD1346626.html and click on the "log in" link in the brown bar at the top of the page. If you have applied for OSAP in the past, use this log in information (OSAP Access Number). If you don't have this information the Office of the Registrar (Financial Aid Office) can reset your password. If you have never applied for OSAP, click on the "New User Registration" link.

SSHRC: http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx

What is the deadline date for the Faculty of Education OGS and SSHRC applications?

All Applications and Supporting Documents (Ultimate Deadline) must be submitted to the Grad Programs & Research Office by:

OGS – 12:00 noon, Friday October 7, 2011

Please submit your draft to Karen Kueneman by Friday, September 30th if you would like feedback.

CGS-Master’s & SSHRC Doctoral – 12:00 noon, Friday October 22, 2010

Please submit your draft to Karen Kueneman by Friday Oct.15 if you would like feedback.

CIHR -

PhD - September 30, 2011 (or earlier) if you would like feedback; October 7 to Research Western for signature; October 14 deadline for electronic submission to CIHR

M.Ed. - December 1, 2011 (or earlier) if you would like feedback; December 15 to the School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.

What transcripts are required for my application?

You do not have to order UWO transcripts – We will print unofficial UWO transcripts in our office. If your application goes forward, the university will arrange for and incur the cost of providing official UWO transcripts.

You are required to order two official copies (one for each competition) of ALL Post-Secondary Transcripts from other Universities or Post-Secondary Institutions. This includes colleges and universities or other accredited institutions from which you took any type of university course. These transcripts can either be mailed directly to you (but you must submit them to our office in sealed envelopes) OR you can have your two official copies of all post-secondary transcripts mailed directly to the Graduate Office (below). If you have them sent directly to UWO other Universities or Post-Secondary Institutions generally will process them quicker.

Graduate Programs & Research Office
Faculty of Education
The University of Western Ontario
1137 Western Road
London, Ontario, Canada
N6G 1G7
Telephone: (519) 661-2111 Ext 88687
FAX: (519) 661-3029

Do my reference letters have to be on special forms?

Yes. Please ensure that your Referees use only the forms provided on the OGS ("2012/13") and/or SSHRC (PDF 2011) websites. Please send your referees the link to access the appropriate form. Please note that only typed forms will be accepted; no hand-written forms. It is recommended that referees compose all letters in a word processing program and copy/paste into the OGS/SSHRC form in case of changes/corrections.

You must provide your Referees required information at the top of the Referee forms, in addition to any information they may require in order to write the reference (e.g. unofficial transcript, a copy of your research plan) before they complete their assessment:

your full name
UWO Student ID Number
name of university attending/planning to attend (The University of Western Ontario or other)
your current department (Education)
name of intended discipline (Education or other - see OGS/SSHRC categories)

You will also need to provide the Graduate Programs & Research Office's complete mailing address (above and on the "contact us" page of the Grad web site) and ultimate deadline for submission (see below).

OGS Academic Assessment form: https://osap.gov.on.ca/prodconsum/groups/osap_web_contents/documents/osap_web_contents/prd145077.pdf (Accessible from this page of the OGS web site: https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/PRD1348561.html

SSHRC Letters of Appraisal - PhD: http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/apply-demande/LetterAppraisalDoc2011_e.pdf
SSHRC Letters of Appraisal - CGS Masters:http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/apply-demande/LetterApprMaster2011_e.pdf

Are there any guidelines for letters of reference?

All students applying for OGS, CGS-Master’s, and SSHRC Doctoral Scholarships should consider forwarding to their Referees a copy of the document, “Writing Academic Letters of Reference for Graduate Students Applying for Scholarships” available at: http://grad.uwo.ca/documentation/Tips on Writing Effective Letters of Reference.pdf Please note that only typed forms will be accepted; no hand-written forms.

Please see the following article entitled "How to ask for a reference letter," from University Affairs: http://www.universityaffairs.ca/how-to-ask-for-a-reference-letter.aspx

Please be sure to provide all the information your referees need to complete the form, including your personal information (detailed above), your grades, a draft of your research plan, and your resume/CV.

When are letters of reference to be delivered to the Faculty?

OGS – 12:00 noon, Friday October 7, 2011

CGS-Masters & SSHRC Doctoral –12:00 noon, Friday October 21, 2011

How are letters of reference to be delivered to the Faculty?

Reference Letters from Graduate Education (our) Faculty can be hand delivered by the faculty member directly to the Graduate Programs office or placed in a Campus Envelope in our Faculty Mailbox in the Main Lobby (no need to seal and sign the envelope).

Reference Letters from Faculty external to our Faculty (e.g., Faculty from other UWO Faculties, other Universities) must arrive in our office in Sealed Envelopes with the Referee’s name written on the back flap of the envelope.

External Reference letters should be addressed to Tina Beynen (Ph.D. applications) or Linda Kulak (M.Ed. applications). If you have them sent directly to UWO other universities or post-secondary institutions generally will process them quicker.

Graduate Programs & Research Office
Faculty of Education
The University of Western Ontario
1137 Western Road
London, Ontario, Canada
N6G 1G7
Telephone: (519) 661-2111 Ext 88687
FAX: (519) 661-3029

However, if you have already arranged for your External Referees to send your letters to you, you must submit to our office in the sealed envelopes.

Who can help me with my application?

Specific questions regarding problems with forms or required documentation may be directed to: PhD - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

Have a trusted colleague, faculty member or recent successful applicant read over your "statement of interest" (OGS) or "Program of Study" (SSHRC) and provide comments.

Once you have a fairly close to final draft of your application, Karen Kueneman will be happy to review it and make further suggestions (submit your draft by Sept. 30th for OGS or Oct. 14th for SSHRC). Send the draft of your OGS “statement of interest” or your SSHRC Program of Study via email (kueneman@uwo.ca) using MS Word and Karen will read it over, mark it up and then set an appointment for you to come in and talk about the suggested changes.

Are there any sample applications available?

Although you cannot copy or take them away with you, Karen Kueneman has prepared a binder with some successful applications from past years for you to look at in the Graduate Programs & Research Office (Room 1163). In addition, there is a sample OGS application on the SGPS current students' financial support page (under external funding): http://grad.uwo.ca/financial_support.htm

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

What is the discipline code for OGS?

The OGS Discipline Code for all Education programs is - 203 EDUCATION.
Second Year MEd Students (might) have a different Discipline Code if you are applying to a non-Education PhD program (e.g. Psychology = 209).

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: (PhD) - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca) or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

What is my "Ontario Education Number" as pertains to OGS?

Students who have previously applied for OSAP will have been assigned this number and use it to log in. If you don't have this information, the Office of the Registrar (Financial Aid Office) can reset your password. Students who have never applied for OSAP can leave this blank; these students will need to click on the "New Student" link in order to log into the on-line application.

Please keep this login information somewhere you can access at a later date, as you will have to log back into the OSAP web site next spring to check your results.

What do I indicate for "Division" and "Discipline Name" on my OGS application?

For those applying to an Education program, the Division is "Social Sciences" and the Discipline Name is "Education," unless you are a second year Master's student applying to another area (eg. Psychology is 209). This pertains to the name assigned to the Discipline Code and NOT your degree name. If you are applying to a different program area, please use the divisions and discipline names indicated on the Divisions and Disciplines document.

What can I include on the "List of Significant Accomplishments" page?

Examples of what to include on this page (as applicable) are publications/poster presentations, workshops, etc.; Research Assistantships (describe your duties and indicate your Supervisor's name); Thesis (level - Honours or Master's, title, Supervisor's name, year completed/defended); and “Dean’s Honor List.”

If you have “special considerations” (such as health problems, family responsibilities, disabilities or other circumstances that have has an effect on your academic performance or productivity) you may add a maximum of 100 words at the bottom of the Academic Accomplishments page.

Do I need to include references (bibliography) in my OGS Statement of Interest (Master's) or Plan of Study (Doctoral)?

No. Be sure to include in-text citations, but if you do not have enough space, you do not need to include a reference/bibliography session. Include the statement "References available upon request" at the bottom of the page. If you do choose to include this information, you cannot exceed the one page limit.

Where do my Statement of Interest/Plan of Study, Significant Academic Accomplishments, Scholarships and Awards, and Publications and Presentations pages go in my OGS application?

These are additional pages in an OGS application. Therefore, please ensure that you record your name and student number (top right hand corner) for these additional pages and append them to the application form as needed. The checklist indicates the order of documents.

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

The SSHRC application asks whether my degree program is at a university with our without a quota; which does our university fall under?

UWO programs have quotas. This means that only a certain number of applications will eventually be sent forward, as opposed to OGS, where all applications are sent forward.

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

Where can I get more information about OGS and SSHRC applications?

The School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies has information on their website. It is highly recommended that you read the OGS & SSHRC info on their website: http://grad.uwo.ca/current_students/funding_opportunities.htm (under the applicable award, under "External Funding").

Updates are posted on this page in the form of FAQs and Karen Kueneman, Research Officer, posts updates on the Graduate Student Blog: http://westerngradresearch.wordpress.com/ You can link to this blog from the Graduate Programs & Research web site (right-hand menu).

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

Do you have any advice on how to structure an OGS or SSHRC proposal?

Heather Brown, one of our M.Ed. graduates, prepared this document in 2008 that provides helpful advice.

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

I'm trying to fill out the OGS on-line application; however, as soon as I click on the link, it takes me to the OSAP application. Am I doing something wrong?

No, you're not doing anything wrong. You are directed to the OSAP Main Page to complete the on-line application and you will need to click on the "Log In to Apply or Check Status" box (near the top left corner) in order to access the on-line application. You can find information though by click on the "A-Z list of Programs" and selecting "Ontario Graduate Scholarship" from the list. If the 2011-2012 information does not come up (do NOT use the 2010-11 information), use this link: https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/TCONT003465.html Additional information can also be found here: https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/OSAPStarttoFinish/GraduateStudents/index.htm

You are strongly urged to apply online. The benefits of applying online include: a)The online application on the OSAP website is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; b) It is quick and easy to use; c) Your information is secure; d) It has built-in "smarts" to help you to avoid making entry errors; e) You can print your personalized application, Reports from professors, and Summary Sheet to submit with your supporting documentation.

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

Should I include entrance scholarship and continuing scholarships (e.g. WGRS) that I have received?

Students cannot list entrance or tuition scholarships (awarded to recruit students to Western; i.e. WGRS); OGS & SSHRC want only specialized awards/scholarships listed. Please note that successful applicants must declare other scholarship and award funding sources when accepting an OGS award and this other funding cannot exceed $10,000. Declaring WGRS as an award limits other awards you can win.

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

Can I include scholarships/awards that I won, but did not accept?

Yes. For example, if a student wins both OGS and SSHRC in the same year, he/she would turn down the OGS in order to accept the SSHRC, which is worth more money and is more prestigious. The fact that you were chosen for a particular award is more important to note than whether or not you took up the award.

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

Where can I obtain advice from grant reviewers for preparing SSHRC doctoral applications?

In March 2008, Dr. Andrew Nelson prepared a report entitled "The SSHRC Doctoral Application at Western". This report provides some great advice from the reviewer's point of view.

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

For my SSHRC application, the "Research Contributions Fill In Box" only allows me to enter 400 characters. 400 characters is only enough to enter one of my research contributions. Then I would need to enter the rest on the allowable additional page. But I only have two to enter in total. Should I enter one in the box and one on the allowable extra page? Should I enter one of the box and then repeat both on the allowable extra page? Or should I say please see extra page in the box and write both on the allowable extra page?

It is up to you how you wish to present the two entries. Any of the above options sounds fine. However, adding a line in the 400-character box referring to the additional one page might be the best option.

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

Is there a checklist that I can access so that I can ensure I have included everything for my OGS (and SSRHC) application?

Within the OGS on-line application is the "Application Checklist." Please use this to ensure you have included everything and check all applicable boxes. Assume transcripts and reference items will be complete as your application will not go forward without these. For SSHRC, there is an "Applicant Checklist" included in the on-line application form.

In addition, the following SSHRC checklists (one for Masters, one for Doctoral) were created by Karen Kueneman to assist you in compiling your SSHRC application. These checklists do not need to be included with your application submission; they are for your personal use.

Masters Checklist (MS Word)
Masters Checklist (rtf)
Doctoral Checklist (MS Word)
Doctoral Checklist (rtf)

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

How do I submit/complete my application?

OGS - There (may be) two buttons at the end of the OGS application that state:

Verify – do this FIRST, once your application is complete, and before submitting and printing your application.

Submit – you will need to do this in order to print a copy to submit to our office by the Oct. 7th deadline.

SSHRC - There three buttons at the end of the SSHRC application that state:

Edit -use only up to the point when you submit your final edits after meeting with Grad Office personnel on Oct. 27th.

Verify - do this BEFORE printing to submit to our office by the Oct. 21st deadline

Preview/Print - print a paper copy of your application to submit to our office by the Oct. 21st deadline AFTER you verify it

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to your Graduate Assistant: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

Once I hand in my application, will I be required to do anything else?

Yes, after your application has been checked over to ensure that you have followed all instructions, you will be asked to come into the Graduate Programs and Research Office as follows:

OGS: Thursday, October 13, 2011 and

SSHRC: Thursday, October 27, 2011.

If any problems or errors are found on your application, you will be asked to revise and resubmit by 4:00 pm that day. This is mandatory for all applicants unless we contact you to inform you there are no required changes. This is rare though, so please arrange to be available on these dates. No appointment is necessary; first come, first serve. The earlier you arrive the more time you will have to make any changes.

Specific questions regarding problems with forms may be directed to: Ph.D. - Tina Beynen (tbeynen@uwo.ca); or M.Ed. - Linda Kulak (kulak@uwo.ca).

How will my application be ranked?

OGS applications are no longer ranked at the program or university level. The SSHRC selection criteria for ranking are as follows:

Masters - Academic Experience (grades) 60%; Research Potential 30%; Communication Skills (Leadership, volunteer work, work experience, interpersonal skills) 10%

PhD - Research Potential 60%; Academic Experience 30%; Communication Skills 10%