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Tuition & Finances
To help offset the cost of full-time graduate enrolment, FIMS provides funding support packages for eligible PhD students.
Our graduate funding support packages rank as some of the most competitive packages in Canada - they help to reduce the cost of undertaking full-time graduate studies and reduce financial barriers for students who otherwise may be unable to pursue an advanced degree.
Financial Information for PhD in HIS students
To estimate your expenses for a 12-month (three term) academic year, including tuition, visit the Graduate Student Affordability Calculator.
Visit the Graduate Student Affordabilty Calendar
Tuition & Fees for the PhD in Health Information Science program are set by the University. For full information, visit the Office of the Registrar's Fee Schedules page.
All full-time PhD students in good standing will receive a funding package consistent with Western’s Doctoral Funding Guarantee.
Funding is guaranteed pending continuous full-time enrolment, maintenance of good standing in the program, meeting the required progression benchmarks, and acceptable performance of any employment duties, such as teaching assistantship.
| Annual Funding Support Package for FIMS DOCTORAL Programs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| External Scholarship | Total from Western | External Scholarship Amount | Total Funding |
| No external scholarship | $24,563.12 | $0 | $24,563.12 |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) | $20,953.12 | $15,000 | $35,954.12 |
| Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CGRSD) | $17,953.12 | $40,000 | $57,935.12 |
- Above amounts are as of 2025/2026.
- Total from Western normally includes Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA), Western Graduate Research Scholarship (WGRS) for FIMS students.
- International students with no external scholarship have University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) paid as part of their WGRS (additional $792 annually) not included in the above totals.
- Funding support packages can be comprised of funds from a variety of sources and can differ from student to student. Funding sources might include scholarships, graduate fellowships, and part-time employment such as graduate teaching assistantships or graduate student assistantships.
Other funding options to explore:
- Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
- Bursaries and other funding through the Society of Graduate Students (SOGS)
The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies also maintains a comprehensive listing of both internal and external funding sources. This includes grants, bursaries and work-study programs.
Eugenia Canas Memorial Award in Health Equity
This award was established to honour Eugenia Canas’ passion for supporting students and young people more broadly. The award provides funding support for a student in Western University’s Health Information Science Graduate Program.
- Awarded annually to a student enrolled full-time in a graduate program in Health Information Science.
- Preference will be given to a student from an equity-deserving group and/or a student who is conducting research in health equity, with a preference for students conducting research involving youth.
- A committee that includes the Health Information Science Program Chair, Associate Dean Graduate of FHS/FIMS (or their delegate), and at least one individual who is a faculty member with the Health Information Science Program and a member of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will select recipients of the award.
Value: One (1) per year at $1,500
FIMS Dean's Entrance Award, Health Information Science
This scholarship is awarded based on excellent academic achievement (minimum of 80%).
- The Dean of the Faculty of Information and Media Studies, in consultation with a committee that includes the Manager, Graduate Student Services and Health Information Science Program Coordinator, will select recipients of the award.
- At least one member of the committee will hold current membership in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Value: up to $5000 each.
International doctoral students who meet the minimum funding average will receive the standard funding package plus additional funds through the Western Graduate Research Scholarship (WGRS). These additional funds are intended to reduce tuition normally assessed to international students to the rate paid by Canadian students.
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Applications open on October 1. The deadline to apply for a September start is January 15.