Benefits and Funds in Detail

Our collective bargaining agreement grants our members a number of benefits and funds. Please have a look to see what your union’s contract entitles you. Some funds are unit specific. Below, you can find funds available to all units, as well as sections for unit-specific funds.

Please note that for many funds available to graduate students, members apply using their York Student Financial Profile (SFP), an online form that automatically registers you for certain bursaries for which you are eligible using a single application. Applications are usually due in October-November (for Fall/Winter funding) and May (for summer funding) of every year.

Email transfer of funds

For Collective Agreement Funds administered by CUPE 3903 (only) you may opt to receive payment through email transfer. You have to opt to receive e-transfer when filling in your fund application form. If you did not do so or  have asked for a cheque to be cut, it will either be mailed to you or made available for pickup from the union office as per your request.

The Local is using Plooto for this service. You can find instructions on receiving funds through email transfer from Plooto here: instructions in pdf, instructions in Word (docx), online text (no images).

ALL UNITS

Sunlife/York University Health Benefits Plan
Extended Health Benefits (EHB) Fund

Professional Development Fund
Ways and Means Fund (Emergency Financial Aid)
Trans Fund
Kilometrage Allowance
Child Care Fund
Sexual Assault Survivor Support Fund
Pensions

top

UNIT 1 BENEFITS AND FUNDS

Tuition Cost Rebate/Graduate Financial Assistance (GFA)

Deadline: None. As a member of CUPE 3903 you are automatically eligible for this rebate every semester you are enrolled at York.

All Unit 1 (also applies to Unit 3) members receive the amount in the table below to off-set tuition increases. This amount will be credited to your student account sometime in the first two months of each term. York will issue a refund to your bank account through direct deposit.

Student Status Year Amount Due
International Student MA1-2 or PhD 1-2 $1182
Domestic Student MA1-2 or PhD 1-2 $708
International Student PhD3+ $1410
Domestic Student PhD3+ $887

Books/Supplies Fund

Deadline: As needed. Apply to Faculty Relations using this form and attach the syllabus.

Overview: A fund of $8,000 for the purpose of offsetting the cost of books and materials required for the performance of an employee’s teaching duties, where they are not provided by the employer.

Graduate Student Bursary Fund

Deadline: Apply through the Student Financial Profile once in the Fall semester and once in May (specific dates will be posted here).

Overview: A fund of $225,000 distributed on basis of need, especially prioritizing international students who pay UHIP, single parents with child care expenses, and who incur large, uncovered medical expenses.

Masters Bursary Fund

Deadline: May (specific dates will be posted here) using your Student Financial Profile (SFP).

Overview: A fund of $107,000, distributed on or after June 15th to assist members in the summer who do not have other sources of funding (excluding bursaries). First priority is for members who will be returning to masters program in fall, second priority is for those who will be entering PhD in the Fall.

PhD Completion Fund

There are two adjudication rounds, in the summer and fall. Deadlines are usually May and September but specific dates will be posted here. Apply using your the application and filling out your Student Financial Profile.

Overview: A $100,000 fund, distributed on or after June 15th on a basis of need to members who have no funding in the last term of their PhD studies.

Research Costs Fund

Deadline: There are two competitions each year – one in Fall and one in Spring and applications should be submitted to your department. Specific dates and details of the award can be found here.

Overview: This fund (also available to Unit 3 members) assists with the costs directly connected to research undertaken by registered full-time York graduate students who are or have been members of CUPE 3903. Applications are vetted by a York administrator, a faculty member and representatives of CUPE 3903.

Thesis Allowance

Deadline: Ongoing, claims must be submitted via Concur. See the detailed instructions for more information.

Overview: This fund offsets costs of producing the final form (printing and binding) of an MRP ($200), Master’s Thesis ($300), or Doctoral Dissertation ($400). Allowable expenses include but are not limited to photocopying, binding for two copies, and certain expenses related to the production of other media such as CD-ROMs. Hardware, software, mailing envelopes, stamps, and couriers are not eligible.

Tuition Costs Fund

Deadline: August 31. Apply using the online Tuition Cost Fund application.

Overview:$10,000 of the Professional Development Fund is allocated each year to offset tuition costs for courses / programs / conferences related to members’ employment. Regular Graduate Student fees at York are not covered by this fund.

UHIP Fund

Deadline: none, amounts are automatically distributed to international students. However, if you are not listed as UHIP by early October then you will need to contact FGS and inform them of your status as recently enrolled.

Overview: A total of $77,000, distributed evenly amongst International Students who use UHIP.

Pension

Eligible employees who are not members of a full-time pension plan and who are not eligible to be members of a full-time pension plan at York or elsewhere can participate in the York University Pension Plan. To be eligible, Unit 1 members must have earnings at least equal to the CD rate in each of two consecutive years. Members must opt-in to the Pension Plan.

top

UNIT 2 FUNDS

Conference Travel Fund

Deadline: October 1, March 1 and June 1. Apply to: Faculty Relations using the CUPE 3903 Conference Travel Fund Online Application

Overview: A total of $85,000 per year to support the attendance of scholarly/ professional/artistic conferences. While the June round will only defray travel costs, the other two rounds will also provide money towards accommodation (normally $150/night) and meals (normally $65 per diem). Applicants will normally only receive up to one grant per year.

Professional Expense Reimbursement

Apply to: Faculty Relations using Concur (Guide to using Concur to claim PER).

Overview: Contract faculty members have this allowance to use towards professional development. These expenses include but are not limited to books, software, and dues for professional organizations. Members receive an allotment of $375 for each type 1 or equivalent position (to a maximum of $1125 per year). These allotments roll over into the next year for up to 3 years per allotment. For example, a member who has never drawn from their PER and is in their fourth year of working as a course director will have only the funds from year 2, 3, and 4 still available. The funds from their first year would in effect have expired. See the guidelines for further details.

Research Grants Fund

Deadline: March 1 and October 1. Apply to Faculty Relations using the online application form.

Overview: From a fund of $165,000, members may receive funds once per year. Minor Grants of up to $8000 are available at either deadline; Major Grants equal in value to the salary rate of one course directorship plus one applicable prior experience credit are available only in spring round.

Research Leaves

Deadline: Eligible Unit 2 members receive a letter in March informing them of eligibility and the application process. Applications are usually due in mid to late April.

Overview: Up to 4 research leaves will be awarded every contract year. Three will be 3 reserved for members in the Conversion Pool, while one will be open to any Unit 2 member. A research leave is the equivalent of 3 Type 1 positions. Members who receive a research leave can hold up to 1 Type 1 position or its equivalent during their leave.

Teaching Development Fund

Deadline: February 1. Apply to the Teaching Commons using the Teaching Development Fund in PDF [also available in Word format here]. Please note that the deadline is Feb 1 2024. 

Overview: To assist in the development of a new program of study, new courses and teaching materials, and teaching skills. Five minor teaching development grants of $3,000 will be provided, as well as two major grants of the same value as the salary of one course directorship. Only those contract faculty who have held at least one Type 1 or equivalent position in each of the two years prior to the start of this contract year will be eligible for the major grants. Adjudicated by 3903 and the The Teaching Commons @ York

Tuition Costs Fund

Deadline: August 31. Apply to online using the Tuition Cost Fund application

Overview:$10,000 of the Professional Development Fund is allocated each year to offset tuition costs for courses / programs / conferences related to members’ employment. Regular Graduate Student fees at York are not covered by this fund.

Tuition Reimbursement

Deadline: Before the beginning of the course. Apply to Pension and Benefits using the Tuition Fee Waiver Application form.

Overview: Provides a full tuition waiver for dependents or spouses (including common-law and same-sex partners) of contract faculty members who have held an average 2.5 full course equivalents per year for three years.

Tuition Waiver

Deadline: Before the beginning of the course. Apply to Pension and Benefits using the Tuition Fee Waiver Application form.

Overview: Contract faculty who have held at least 3 Type 1 positions or equivalent in the last three years, including one in the last year, will receive a tuition fee waiver for any undergraduate or graduate program for which they are admitted. This will be limited to part-time fee levels. (Enrolling in a graduate program full-time would place the member in Unit 1).

Pension

Eligible employees who are not members of a full-time pension plan and who are not eligible to be members of a full-time pension plan at York or elsewhere can participate in the York University Pension Plan. All Unit 2 members who have taught at least one full CD in each of two consecutive years are eligible. Members must opt-in to the Pension Plan.

top

UNIT 3 BENEFITS AND FUNDS

Tuition Cost Rebate/Graduate Financial Assistance (GFA)

Deadline: None. As a member of CUPE 3903 you are automatically eligible for this rebate for the Fall and Winter semesters if you are enrolled at York. In the Summer, you receive $3000 as summer assistance.

All Unit 3 (also applies to Unit 1) members receive the amount in the table below to off-set tuition increases. This amount will be credited to your student account sometime in the first two months of each term. York will issue a refund to your bank account through direct deposit.

Student Status Year Amount Due
International Student MA1 $1181
Domestic Student MA1 $771
International Student MA2 $1410
Domestic Student MA2 $967

Graduate Assistant Bursary Fund

Deadline: Usually in May (specific dates will be posted here) using your Student Financial Profile (SFP).

Overview: A fund of $275,000 to be distributed according to need as summer
funding for Unit 3 members.

UHIP Fund

Deadline: none, amounts are automatically distributed to international students.

Overview: No need for application, however, if you are not listed as UHIP by early October then you will need to contact FGS and inform them of your status as recently enrolled. A total of $77,000, distributed evenly amongst International Students who use UHIP.

top