‘Sponsored students’ are students who have all or a portion of their education funded by an external source, such as a Government agency, employer, or Indigenous group. A sponsor must not be an individual, parent, or relative of the student. Students who receive funding directly from an external source are not considered sponsored students.
Currency
McMaster invoices will be provided in Canadian funds only. Payments made in US funds will be converted to Canadian funds using the daily exchange rate provided by McMaster’s Finance Office on the date the payment is processed. We cannot use exchange rates provided by sponsors.
To avoid exchange rate discrepancies, sponsors should send funds in Canadian currency. McMaster cannot control fluctuations in exchange rates, which can change within the same day.
When setting a sponsorship contract dollar limit, set limits in Canadian funds only.
Tax Forms
McMaster does not issue T4A tax receipts for student sponsorships. Should a form be required in keeping with the Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, it must be issued by the sponsoring organization.
Fees not covered
The student is responsible for paying any fees not covered by the sponsor by the term fee deadline, which is the 25th day of the first month of the term. Unpaid amounts will be subject to regular interest and late fees.
Student Information
Any additional student information required by the sponsor (e.g. grades, transcripts, campus store receipts) must be provided by the student directly.
Continuing Education courses
For students taking Continuing Education courses, sponsorship arrangements should be made directly with the McMaster Continuing Education (MCE) office. Please refrain from submitting the standard sponsorship form for these agreements. For additional details and assistance, please visit the MCE Help Centre.
How it works:
- Step 1: Complete and submit this form. Third-party sponsors will be charged the tuition and fee amounts specified in the form.
- Step 2: Please send your signed Financial Guarantee/Sponsorship letter to macpay@mcmaster.ca.
- Step 3: An invoice will be sent directly to the sponsor’s email address provided on the sponsorship form after the add/drop date has passed. Invoices will indicate the total amount of fees charged to the student’s account for the current term only and are due 30 days from the date of receipt.
Student’s will see amounts billed to their sponsor on their student account under Payments as “Deferred to Third Party”.
Please direct all third-party sponsorship inquiries to macpay@mcmaster.ca.
Registering your sponsorship
Ensure that your sponsor follows the steps listed above. Sponsors will be charged the tuition and fee amounts specified in the agreement.
Reviewing Student Account
Student’s will see amounts billed to their sponsor on their student account under Payments as “Deferred to Third Party”. This does not confirm payment has been received, it only signifies that the charges have been assigned to the sponsor contract.
Fees not covered
Students are responsible to pay any fees not covered by the sponsor by the term fee deadline, which is the 25th day of the first month of the term. In the event a sponsorship contract is cancelled fees will be returned to the student account. Unpaid amounts will be subject to regular interest and late fees.
Student Information
Any additional student information required by the sponsor (e.g. grades, transcripts, campus stores receipts) must be provided by the student directly.
Insurance
Health and Dental – If the sponsorship does not cover health/dental insurance it is the student’s responsibility to pay the fee and opt out of the plan(s) by the date specified. For more information on opting-out, please visit either:
For those who opt-out within the deadline – charges must still be paid to the Student Account and a refund will be provided through the MSU/GSA.
UHIP (International Students Only) – If the sponsorship does not cover UHIP, students are required to reach out to International Student Services to verify if they qualify for an exemption through an approved healthcare plan. This exemption must be renewed annually. For any inquiries, please contact uhip@mcmaster.ca.
Continuing Education Courses
For students taking Continuing Education courses, sponsorship arrangements should be made directly with the McMaster Continuing Education (MCE) office. For additional details and assistance, please visit the MCE Help Centre.
Tuition
Mandatory Supplementary Fees
Health and Dental Insurance
If the sponsor does not cover Health and Dental insurance, it is the responsibility of the student to opt-out through the MSU (Undergrad) or GSA (Grad) before the respective deadlines.
Students who successfully complete the opt-out process must first pay the Health and Dental Insurance fees on their student account up front, as they will receive reimbursement from the MSU/GSA directly.
UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan)
If the sponsor does not cover UHIP, it is the responsibility of the student to contact International Student Services to see if they are eligible for an exemption under a pre-approved health-care plan. This exemption is required to be renewed each year. Please direct any questions to uhip@mcmaster.ca.
Residence and Meal Plan
Learn about residence fees.
Campus Store Purchases
It is the student’s responsibility to work with their sponsor regarding campus store purchases that are charged to their student account.