York University is committed to helping students with demonstrated financial need meet the direct education costs associated with university studies (tuition, books and mandatory course fees). Financial assistance can be provided from a variety of sources including OSAP, scholarships, bursaries, private awards and employment (e.g. the Work/Study program). Scholarships, awards and bursaries are available through inquiry and application to the Office of Student Financial Services (
http://sfs.yorku.ca/), located in the West Office Building. All student-athletes MUST fill out a Student Financial Profile (SFP) form to be eligible for consideration for any and all financial awards.
Student Financial Services
The role of Student Financial Services (SFS) at York University is to provide students with financial services in support of reaching their educational goals. SFS provides assistance in the following areas:
Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries
Student-athletes should be aware that there are a number of scholarships, awards, and bursaries that they may be eligible for. Applications for York University are available online beginning in September.
York University Entrance Scholarships
The York University Automatic Entrance Scholarships are awarded to secondary school students applying to a direct-entry undergraduate program and have completed their secondary school diploma with an 80% or higher.
York University Undergraduate Scholarships, Awards, and Bursaries
Students must complete their Student Financial Profile in order to be eligible to receive any bursaries or scholarships from York University.
York University Graduate Scholarships, Awards, and Bursaries
York University international Student Scholarships, Awards, and Bursaries
Key Financial Services Contact
Katie Robinson – Lead Coordinator, Academic Services – krobinso@yorku.ca
Athletic Financial Awards (AFAs)
An Athletic Financial Award (AFA) is any award that is conditional to being listed on the official U SPORTS eligibility certificate and administered by York University’s awards office consistent with the university’s policies. These awards include but are not limited to scholarships, bursaries, prizes, leadership awards, merit awards, housing, and all other related non-employment financial benefit received by an athlete from York University.
OUA Athletic Financial Awards Policy
U SPORTS Policy 50 – Financial Awards
Entering Awards
York Athletics & Recreation understands the importance of providing Athletic Financial Awards (AFAs) to entering student-athletes and has 25 York Lions Renewable Entrance Scholarships, valued at $22,500 each (up to $4,500 per year for up to five years). These are awarded to student-athletes that have achieved an 80% entering average and are elite student-athletes. To continue the award, student-athletes must achieve a 6.0 grade point average in their September-August session annually (fall-winter-summer). There are also team-specific entrance awards available.
Continuing Awards
As a department there are various awards and bursaries available for continuing student-athletes who have a minimum 5.5 GPA. Most of the funds available are tied to specific teams and may have specific criteria; however, there are some awards that are available to all student-athletes, regardless of their team. Since a large portion of this funding is tied to the Ontario government matching program, student-athletes who demonstrate financial need and are Ontario residents may be eligible to receive a greater number of awards. Each fall, the Eligibility Officer will contact coaches and work to develop a list of qualified student-athletes in priority order to distribute both the departmental and team-based funding.
Non-University Administered (3rd Party) Award Restrictions
A student-athlete cannot be in receipt of an award or benefit that is provided independent of the university and which is conditional upon being listed on a member institution’s official eligibility certificate and designated exclusively for the member institution in question.
OUA Academic Honour Awards & U SPORTS Academic All-Canadians
All student-athletes competing in OUA and/or U SPORTS are eligible for OUA Academic Honour Awards and U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian status.
OUA Academic Honour Awards Criteria
- The student-athlete must be enrolled as a student-athlete as determined by their institution (3.0 credits).
- The student-athlete must have received a September to August grade point average which takes into consideration every course the student-athlete was registered in during that period, equivalent to an A- or 80%.
- The student-athlete must have been a member of the institution’s OUA team(s).
U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian Criteria
- The student-athlete must have consumed eligibility; and
- The student-athlete must have successfully passed 18 credits; and
- The student-athlete must have an 80% (or equivalent) or higher according to that institutions’ official calculation for courses completed during the academic year.
Award winners will receive a certificate from the OUA and/or U SPORTS acknowledging their accomplishments, as well as being recognized at York’s annual Awards & Scholarships event.
Key AFA Contacts
Lillian Chan – Eligibility Officer – lilchan@yorku.ca
Mack Abbott – Manager, Varsity Athletics – abbottm@yorku.ca
