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Undergraduate Student Stipend Fact Sheet
ProcessingStudent StipendsUsing BSA
Banner Student Aid system (BSA) is the single and authoritative source for administrating all need-based and merit-based student funding payments at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
It is important to recognize such payments as either ‘financial aid and awards’ or ‘work-for-pay’ as the tax treatment and required deductions differ greatly.
Processing route is not a choice but is to be determined based on strict definitions surrounding the payment circumstances:
- All student payments related to work-for pay must be processed using the HR/Payroll systems (Minerva Appointment Form or Workday casual one-time payments).
- All student payments which are need-based or merit-based and which fall outside the realm of work-for-pay must be processed using the Minerva Award Processing Form (APF).
Student Stipends
Definition:
A student stipend is defined as supportpaid to a student from a professor’s/supervisor’s research funds which “will assist the student in qualifying for a degree or other scholastic recognition in the field in which the research is being carried on.” Related effort may include research collaboration with the supervisor or others, developing techniques and methodologies, or gaining knowledge of scientific or scholarly ideas – as long as the objective is the student’s advancement towards education goals for the desired degree.Student stipends may not be associated to work-for-pay situations where there are assigned tasks and deliverables.
For more information, consult the Glossary section of our website.
Research Assistantships are not eligible
Reason: Research Assistantships are an employment category and provides a student with payment for work performed.While Research Assistantship may provide a student with valuable research, scholarly or work experience, the activity is not required as part of an academic program or to advance the student’s own research/thesis, or progress towards a degree.Research Assistantship such as peer tutoring, laboratory glass washer, event coordinators, are examples of Work-for-Pay that must be processed through HR/Payroll.
FACT SHEET | Student Stipends |
Work-for-Pay |
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Definition |
Support paid to students from a professor’s research funds:
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Compensation for the performance or delivery of assigned work
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Income Tax Act |
As noted in the Income Tax Act (IT-75R4) since updated to on March 28, 2013, “…the work not primarily for financial gain but because participation in it will assist the student in qualifying for a degree or other scholastic recognition in the field in which the research is being carried on.” |
As noted in the ), “Tax payable by persons resident in Canada" 2(1)An income tax shall be paid, as required by this Act, on the taxable income for each taxation year of every person resident in Canada at any time in the year. |
Examples of activities |
A student receives a Stipend in support of their advancement towards educational goals for desired degree:
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A student is paid an hourly wage Research Assistantship for work performed, where tasks and deliverables are defined. Other Work-for-Pay examples include:
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Eligibility/Conditions |
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Processing Method/System |
Student Stipends are processed in BSA via the Minerva Award Processing Form (APF) using the following steps:
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Work-for-pay is processed through HR/Payroll either through an appointment form process or the POPS payroll system:
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Supporting Documents |
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Tax Treatment |
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Both federal and provincial Income taxes are deducted from each pay period. The University will generate a T4/Relevé 1 slip for this income. |
Exclusions for tax purposes |
Student Stipends for POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS (including POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS and POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH TRAINEES) are subject to different process and tax treatment. Payments cannot be processed through the Banner Student Aid System (BSA). |
Why It’s Important
- Ensures that the University is compliant with respective taxation, research sponsor and reporting requirements.
- Ensures that the student is also able to avail of all eligible benefits associated to the type of payment. i.e. T4A for awards versus EI Benefits for Work-for-Pay.