Most graduate students (except those enrolled in the M.Eng. program) have some degree of financial support, so you won't necessarily be adding to the debt you've accumulated doing your undergraduate degree. There are a number of means of financing your studies. They include scholarships, teaching assistantships and research assistantships. The number of major scholarships is limited. However, many graduate students get teaching and research assistantships. Students who are offered both teaching and research assistantships may receive up to $15,000 per year.
The major graduate scholarships are:
Applications for all these must be submitted in early October, and the scholarships are awarded late March.
Carleton University and the University of Ottawa award an extra tuition scholarship (value ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 per year depending on program in 2006/07 to recipients of major graduate scholarships).
Many M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. students receive TAs. These involve up to 10hrs work per week assisting a professor in a course. Typical responsibilities include demonstrating labs, leading tutorials, and grading assignments.
These are paid from the research funds of the supervising professor, and the amount depends on the funds available to the professor and the responsibilities related to the project.