How much will it cost?
Funding
The University of Waterloo and the School of Optometry make every effort to provide financial assistance to registered full-time graduate students; however, financial support can not be guaranteed. Every student, Canadian, Permanent Resident in Canada or Visa Student, is responsible for his/her own financial solvency.
There are many ways to fund your education. Most of our students fund their studies through a combination of Teaching Assistantships (TA), Research Assistantships (RA) and awards.
Teaching Assistantships are generally available to full-time students in the Fall and Winter terms. TAs participate in the undergraduate teaching program by spending one full day or its equivalent working as a demonstrator or teaching assistant in a laboratory, a classroom or outside (e.g., preparations for a laboratory, grading reports or exams, etc.). Satisfactory performance as a teaching assistant is required for continuance of support. Applicants may indicate interest in a TA by checking the appropriate box on the application form.
Research Assistantships are dependent upon the financial resources of individual professors at the School of Optometry. RAs are offered by a professor who has already agreed to act as the student's supervisor. The research conducted is generally part of a student's thesis project. RAs are available on a term-by-term basis and are subject to the availability of research grants and to the satisfactory research progress of the student.
Note: TA and RA salaries are taxed and subject to other deductions. For International Students, research and teaching assistantships cannot be taken up nor payment made until the student has obtained a Study Permit from Canadian Immigration and a Social Insurance Number from Human Resources Canada.
Master's
New full-time international students starting a research-based master's program will receive an International Master's Student Award (IMSA) valued at $1,550 per term (the value is approximate to one-half of the differential fee per term) for 2 years (up to term 6.0). Students who are receiving major external awards or sponsorship are not eligible to receive this award.
Doctoral
New full-time international students starting a research-based PhD program will receive an International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA) valued at $3,100 per term (the value is approximate to the full differential fee per term) for 3 years (up to term 9.0). Students who are receiving major external awards or sponsorship are not eligible to receive this award.
Waterloo awards
External awards
There are numerous awards and scholarships available from governments and agencies. Applicants are encouraged to investigate awards available to them. International applicants should check with their government and university to see if there are any sponsorships/scholarships/grants for students studying overseas.
Canadian and permanent residents are strongly encouraged to apply to NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC and OGS. Applications can be made before starting the program.
Clinical duties
Students with international degrees in optometry who meet Ontario licensing requirements for academic licensure may be able to perform clinical duties in the School's clinic. Additional information on academic licensing can be obtained from the licensing body:
College of Optometrists of Ontario
6 Crescent Road, Third Floor
Toronto, ON M4W 1T1
Telephone: (416) 962-4071
http://www.collegeoptom.on.ca
