SGS Graduate Student Emergency Bursary

We understand this is a challenging time for many graduate students. The SGS Graduate Student Emergency Bursary is intended to help graduate students overcome temporary financial emergencies due to unforeseen circumstances. Please email sgs@mun.ca for information on the eligibility criteria and the application process.

The Dr. C. Robert Lucas Graduate Fund is also intended to help graduate students in the Faculty of Science overcome temporary financial emergencies that prevent them from completing a degree program. Please email sgs@mun.ca for information on the eligibility criteria and the application process.    

Anita Garbarino Girard Graduate Student Support Program

The Anita Garbarino Girard Graduate Student Support Program is also intended to help Full Time, Canadian graduate students in their last year of program to overcome temporary financial emergencies that prevent them from completing a degree program. Please email sgs@mun.ca for information on the eligibility criteria and the application process.    

Working hours permitted for graduate students

On May 12, 2020, Senate approved an amendment to General Regulation 3.3.8 (now numbered General Regulation 3.4.8.4) that would allow graduate students facing extenuating circumstances, including financial need, to seek a waiver from the AVP(A) and Dean of Graduate Studies to work more than 24 hours a week outside of their degree program, and still be deemed a full-time graduate student.

Such requests must be made to SGS by the student’s supervisor (when applicable) and Head of the appropriate academic unit to sgs@mun.ca, and should include grounds for the request, expected duration of the extra work and a revised study plan that accounts for extra work to be undertaken.

If you are an international student, you generally have further conditions attached to your study permit (i.e. a limit on how many hours they can work in Canada). This SGS waiver is not a waiver of such immigration conditions, if any. If you are an international student, we strongly recommend you contact the Immigration Advising Team at immigrationadvising@mun.ca for more information and advice.

Food

If you do not have resources now to purchase food, the Thrive Youth Network has a directory of food banks in St. John’s and Mt. Pearl. This list is updated weekly. Please note that Memorial University’s Campus Food Bank in St. John’s is offering monthly deliveries for graduate students in need. You’ll find more information on this on the Campus Food Bank website.

If you are a graduate student in immediate need of food, please contact sgs@mun.ca. 

Resources and Support Services (AFC)

The Actors Fund of Canada has created a directory of resources and support services for Newfoundland and Labrador inlcuding; crisis lines, mental health awareness, income assistance, housing, and local food banks. For more information please visit the Actors Fund of Canada website.