Regis College is the Jesuit Faculty of Theology at the University of Toronto and a founding member of the Toronto School of Theology. As a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical faculty, it offers a range of civil and ecclesial degrees in theology, ministry and spirituality for both lay and ordained students from Canada and abroad. Beyond academic programs, the college plays an important role as a funding provider through an array of internal scholarships, bursaries and endowed funds.
Role of Regis College in the funding ecosystem
The Financial Aid section of the institution outlines many named awards, created through gifts from individuals, religious communities and other donors. These awards support students in basic, graduate, and research programs, with criteria that can include financial need, academic excellence, service to the college, preparation for ministry, and specific areas such as biblical studies or Lonergan studies. Both general-interest and research programs (M.Div., M.T.S., M.A. in Ministry and Spirituality, Th.M., Th.D./Ph.D. and certificates) benefit from this internal funding portfolio.
The Ignatian Living Endowment Fund is a notable initiative targeted specifically at lay Master of Divinity students. It can provide full tuition support for full-time study for up to three years, or partial support for part-time students, in return for a commitment to weekly service in the college, a church, or a service agency. The fund was launched with a significant initial gift and is designed to be sustained through ongoing contributions from alumni and friends.
General features of the funding programs
Regis College’s awards are administered by the Regis College Awards Committee or designated bodies such as the Rector of the Jesuit Community for certain Jesuit-focused funds. Conditions and Requirements published by the college set clear deadlines for applications, articulate how awards are paid (typically as credits to student accounts), and specify residency and citizenship requirements for awards partially funded through the Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund (OSOTF).
The aid portfolio includes scholarships for academic excellence, bursaries based primarily on financial need, awards reserved for lay students, women, prospective priests, international students, and students preparing for particular ministries such as work with children. The college also helps students connect with external bursaries, government student aid programs such as OSAP, and federal research funding bodies like SSHRC.
Supported audiences and impact
Funding at Regis College focuses on enabling access to theological education for a diverse group of students, including Canadian and international learners, Indigenous and culturally diverse applicants, and those preparing for roles in pastoral ministry, teaching, spiritual direction and social justice work. By combining its own endowments, donor-funded awards and government-linked programs, the college lowers financial barriers and supports students’ formation for leadership in Church and society.