Exchange Bursaries

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Exchange Bursaries

Exchange Bursary Regulations

Exchange Bursaries are non-repayable grants intended to assist students who otherwise would not be able to participate in exchange opportunities due to financial hardship.
Exchange Bursaries are allocated on the basis of demonstrated financial need, which may also include a minimum expectation of academic standing or other earned merit for students approved for exchange.
Exchange Bursaries are available to full-time and part-time students enrolled in Level 2 or above of their first undergraduate degree program, at the time of bursary application and selection, who are returning to McMaster to continue their studies.
Exchange Bursaries requiring full-time status are available to students enrolled in a full-time OSAP eligible course load or equivalent at the time of bursary application and selection.
Exchange Bursaries are only available to students who are Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, Convention Refugees and Protected Persons of Canada.
Exchange Bursaries are allocated on the basis of financial need, as demonstrated through a completed Canadian federal and/or provincial government student aid application (e.g. full-time OSAP) or completed standard University need profiles and an Exchange Bursary Application for the academic year in which the student is being considered.
Exchange Bursaries are allocated according to financial need, with higher bursary amounts assigned to students demonstrating higher levels of financial need. Bursary amounts are set by the Office of the Registrar, Aid & Awards.
Exchange Bursary funds are limited.
Students are limited to one Exchange Bursary in their first undergraduate degree program.
The greater demonstrated financial need is used to break any tie.
Exchange Bursaries may consider one or more McMaster University calculated averages (e.g. Cumulative Grade Point Average).
Exchange Bursaries may specify a minimum average requirement.
Exchange Bursaries may also consider other forms of earned merit. To evaluate earned merit, students may need to complete one or more additional requirements including, but not limited to, submitting an application.
To be considered for an Exchange Bursary by application, students must submit a completed application by the specified deadline date.
Exchange Bursary applications which meet eligibility criteria are forwarded to a selection committee for review and ranking.
Students must be enrolled in at least the course load used to determine their eligibility for the Exchange Bursary to have the Exchange Bursary payment processed.
All Exchange Bursary payments are disbursed through the McMaster Student Account and are applied to outstanding charges. A few exceptions to this regulation may be approved by the Office of the Registrar, Aid & Awards.
Exchange Bursaries are typically disbursed no later than the end of May.
Exchange Bursaries are available to students participating in an approved formal exchange program during the academic year immediately following the application deadline.
It is the responsibility of Exchange Bursary recipients to make all exchange arrangements. Recipients are required to assess travel risks, have a plan of action in place for emergencies, and ensure they have proper medical and other insurance in place prior to departure.
Exchange Bursaries will not be issued for travel when University advisories and/or official global travel advisories have been issued to avoid non-essential travel outside Canada and to areas deemed as ‘do not travel areas’ per Global Affairs Canada.
Exchange Bursary recipients may be required to complete a risk assessment and/or safety component and/or waiver prior to departure as dictated by other University policies and must attend mandatory Exchange Pre-Departure Orientation sessions and complete Terms for Participation Forms, Liability Waivers, and Statement of Responsibilities Forms.
Students who do not participate in their formal exchange as identified on their application will forfeit their bursary. Exchange bursaries are granted for a specific period of travel; deferrals are not normally granted. Students deferring exchange plans to another academic year should reapply in the next cycle.
Registration in, or transfer to, another program of study and/or a change in course load may result in forfeiture of an Exchange Bursary. Students are advised to consult with the Office of the Registrar prior to making any changes to their program of study or course load.
Students who forfeit their Exchange Bursary must return the full bursary amount to their McMaster Student Account.
The University may choose not to grant an Exchange Bursary in the absence of a suitable candidate; may choose to limit the number of recipients selected where funding is limited; may choose to limit the number of recipients selected where too few suitable candidates exist; and/or may choose to generate applicant pools for bursaries by application where complete applications have not been received.
The University may remove specific Exchange Bursaries from the University Calendar, may revise the terms and stated value and/or suspend the granting of Exchange Bursaries.
Exchange Bursaries supported by donor funds may have additional eligibility requirements.

Exchange Bursaries

The Beale-Lincoln-Hall Exchange Program Bursaries

Established in 1996 by Arnold A. Beale in memory of his parents, F. Arnold Beale and Margaret S. Beale and, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gould Lincoln and Commander Harley H. Hall., U.S.N.

Requirements: To be granted to a student who demonstrates financial need and is enrolled in a program in Commerce, Biochemistry, Biology, English, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, History, Materials Science, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering Physics or Religious Studies. Preference will be given to students who are participating in one of McMaster’s formal exchange programs, and who have demonstrated a lively interest in the humanities and the human and social implications of scientific developments.

The Chan Yin Chak Bursary

Established in 1997 by Tak Chan in honour of his great grandfather, Mr. Chan Yin Chak.

Requirements: This bursary will be used to help defray expenses of Level 3 Commerce students or M.B.A. students, who demonstrate financial need, and are participating in one of the international exchange programs at the DeGroote School of Business.

The James R.A. Langs Student Exchange Program Bursaries

Established in 1996 by family in memory of James R.A. Langs (Class of ‘37), a Hamilton business leader and great supporter of the Hamilton Community.

Requirements: A variable number of bursaries to be granted to students enrolled in a program in Humanities who demonstrate financial need and who are participating in a formal McMaster Exchange Program.

The McLay Bursary

Established in 1997 by David and Jean McLay under the McMaster Student Opportunity Fund initiative.

Requirements: To be granted to a student in any program who demonstrates financial need and who is participating in one of McMaster’s formal exchange programs. Preference to be given to students who have been active in international clubs and associations.

The McLean Family Exchange Bursaries

Established in 1997 by the McLean Family under the McMaster Student Opportunity Fund initiative, in gratitude for the learning and relationship enrichment which they obtained first at McMaster University, and subsequently through international travel.

Requirements: To be granted to students who wish to participate in exchange programs, who demonstrate financial need and who are enrolled in Level 2 or 3 of a program. Preference to be given to international exchanges, for students from the Faculty of Engineering or the Faculty of Humanities with a GPA above 7.0 at the most recent review and who have shown leadership and involvement in university and/or community activities.

The McMaster Global Experience Exchange Bursary

Established in 2018 by McMaster University to support global learning opportunities.

Requirements: To be granted to undergraduate students enrolled in any program who are participating in a formal McMaster Exchange and who demonstrate financial need.

The Queen Elizabeth II International Travel Bursary

Established in 2015 by Arnold Beale, B.Sc. (Class of ‘68), B.A. (Class of ‘83) in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who became the longest-reigning British monarch on September 9, 2015.

Requirements: To be granted to an undergraduate student participating in an international exchange program who demonstrates financial need. Preference will be given to a student travelling to a Commonwealth country.

The Randolph E. Ross Memorial Bursary

Established in 1998 by family and friends in memory of Dr. Randolph E. Ross, who was a dedicated and cherished faculty member for over 25 years at McMaster University.

Requirements: To be granted to a student enrolled in the School of Business or the Engineering and Management Program. Preference will be given to a McMaster student participating in an international exchange program.

The James Mason Young Bursary

Established in 1996 by James Mason Young in honour of his family’s long-standing association with McMaster University.

Requirements: A variable number of bursaries to be granted to students enrolled in the Faculty of Business who demonstrate financial need. Preference to be given to students participating in a formal McMaster Exchange Program.