TD Bank Financial Group has made a $1 million donation graduate student bursary fund at the University of British Columbia. The TD gift will be the university’s largest privately funded bursary fund available exclusively for graduate students.

Students in financial need enrolled in the Faculty of Graduate Studies will have these much needed funds made available to them over the next five years, with $200,000 being donated each year. The first bursaries are expected to be awarded this fall. Because of the TD gift, more than 100 students are likely receive bursaries each year, ranging from $50 to up to $2,500 per term, depending on financial need.

“We believe our dollars are best spent investing in human capital,” said Charles Baillie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, TD Bank Financial Group. “By dedicating these funds to graduate student bursaries, we hope to encourage students to pursue higher education and help build on Canada’s knowledge base.”

“TD’s generous contribution to graduate student assistance at UBC will build on our university’s commitment to become one of the leading research universities in the world,” said Dr. Martha Piper, President of the University.

The University of British Columbia will match $400,000 of the TD gift as an endowed fund in the TD Bank Financial Group name, ensuring that there is continuing support for graduate students following the initial five years of TD support.