The Students at Risk Bursary (SARB) Program was created in 2022 to support students who have been forcibly displaced because of armed conflict, persecution, terrorism, human rights violations, climate-related crises, natural disasters or a combination of these circumstances. It is designed to help students rebuild their academic pathways in a safe and stable environment.
The program supports a student’s transition into academic life at McMaster through a combination of financial assistance, tuition support and holistic services. This can include tuition adjustments, bursary funding and connections to campus resources that foster academic success, personal well-being and a strong sense of community.
A SARB application does not guarantee financial support. Bursary funds are limited and disbursed according to the highest need. A limited amount of funding is available to recipients who have received an offer of admission to an eligible program at McMaster University.
Eligibility requirements, application process steps and additional important information can be found under the following tabs.
Have been displaced within their countries of origin (“Displaced”); Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are defined as “persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized State border.” (Guiding Principles on InternalDisplacement, E/CN.4/1998/53/Add.2.).
Have left their countries of origin and are either in a second country without a durable solution or have made it to a second country and are claiming asylum or are seeking a durable solution to a third country (“Refugees”).
Are Refugees who have demonstrated that they have the legal status of a convention refugee and qualify for the protective rights that flow from this designation (“Convention Refugees”); or
Do not fall into the above-noted definitions but are persecuted, living in conflict-ridden situations or are at risk of violence by virtue of belonging to a group that would otherwise fall within the definition of a Convention Refugee.
Priority consideration is given to:
Research-based graduate programs
Undergraduate programs with standard tuition structures
Funding is based on financial need and is subject to ongoing financial need and academic progress. Below is a non-exhaustive list describing examples of eligible expenses:
Tuition and supplementary fees
Living expenses (housing, food, clothing, personal care, etc.)
The Office of the Registrar vets applications to ensure the applicants meet the basic criteria for consideration. Eligible applications are then reviewed by the SARB review committee to determine potential funding allocations. Committee members examine the applications without knowledge of the degree of financial need or gender identity.
The committee reviews the application across three main areas:
Interest in McMaster University
Explanation of the circumstances leading the student to be forcibly displaced
Demonstration of how the award will help achieve personal, academic, or career goals
The SARB program is currently intended to support prospective students applying to McMaster and is not available to students who are currently enrolled at the University. Currently enrolled McMaster undergraduate and graduate students seeking financial support are encouraged to contact the Office of the Registrar.