The International Experience (IE) Award is a needs-based monetary award for U of T students who wish to go on a university-sanctioned Learning Abroad Exchange Program through the Centre for International Experience (CIE).
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Here is what to expect when you apply for an IE Award:
BEFORE APPLICATION
The International Experience (IE) Award is a needs-based monetary award for U of T students going on a university-sanctioned Learning Abroad Exchange Program through the Centre for International Experience (CIE). The IE Award is intended to support those in financial need with a contribution toward their roundtrip airfare and some living costs. It does not cover all or majority of the cost of your learning abroad experience, and is not for covering tuition and program fees.
The IE Award is determined based on the student’s financial situation, the destination of the program, the duration of the program, the average roundtrip airfare, and the difference in the cost of living between the program destination and Toronto.
The IE Award is not guaranteed. Students must demonstrate a sufficient level of financial need in their application.
Students are expected to choose experiences based on their available budget.
CIE can grant only one award per student per experience/destination to eligible students.
The award is not guaranteed.
Students are limited to a maximum total receipt of $10,000 over two years (IE and/or IE+). If you have received an award(s) from CIE in the past year (IE and/or IE+), this may limit your eligibility to receive the award this year.
The amount of the award is dependent on:
- Student’s financial situation
- Destination country
- Duration of the program/experience
- Average roundtrip airfare
- Difference in the cost of living between the destination and Toronto
The below table includes award approximations and are subjected to change without notice. All amounts are in CAD.
| Duration | Award Amounts |
| 1 month or less | $625 to $3,000 |
| Summer (more than 1 month less than 4 months) | $1,250 to $6,000 |
| One Semester | $1,250 to $6,000 |
| One Academic or Calendar Year | $2,500 to $10,000 |
Students participating in experiences less than one full term (four months) or for a summer term and receiving $6,000 or more in funding from other departments at U of T or from other external sources, are not eligible for the IE Award.
Students participating in Fall, Winter, or Full Year experiences who receive $10,000 or more in funding from other departments at U of T or from other external sources, are not eligible for the IE Award.
- You must be enrolled or registered at U of T during the time of your learning abroad program. Students who have convocated prior to their experience or are graduating in the term of their learning abroad experience are not eligible for the award.
- You are participating in a university-sanctioned, in-person learning abroad exchange program through CIE.
- Safety Abroad Requirements (Registry + Workshop) are mandatory and must be completed prior to their departure, whether or not students are granted the award.
The deadline for the IE Award application is the same as the deadline for the exchange application. You cannot apply for the IE Award once you have submitted your exchange application.
If you have any questions regarding the IE Award, please reach out to the International Experience Awards Office at cie.funding@utoronto.ca
DURING APPLICATION
Find your exchange experience through CIE. When you apply for your exchange experience, you will automatically be able to apply for the IE Award unless you opt out. You cannot go back while applying, so make sure you have all the documents before you start. The assessment process for IE Award applications only begins after you receive your nomination to the Learning Abroad Exchange Program.
Complete all Safety Abroad requirements prior to your travel (both the pre-departure Safety Abroad Registry and Workshop). These requirements are mandatory for all international university-sanctioned activities to ensure your safety and well-being during your time abroad. If you have questions, you can contact safety.abroad@utoronto.ca
AFTER APPLICATION
- Once a decision is made, you will receive an e-mail from the International Experience Awards Office, and if eligible, the amount of the award as well as the next steps.
- Complete all pre-departure requirements as stated in your Conditional Nomination Letter for the Learning Abroad Program.
- Complete the Safety Abroad requirements prior to your travel (both the pre-departure Safety Abroad Registry and Workshop) and set up direct deposit on ACORN.
The IE Award fund is released as a refund when all award requirements are completed. Should this be reflected on your ACORN, it means the award disbursement process is completed. To receive the award in your bank account, you need to set up the direct deposit on ACORN. Otherwise, you will receive a cheque mailed to the mailing address you have on ACORN.
