Entrance scholarships full-time first-year degree Waterloo University, Canada
Entrance scholarships are available if you’re starting full-time first-year degree studies and, in September 2020, are beginning post-secondary studies for the first time.
Scholarships and bursaries are awarded starting in early May once we receive updated grades from Ontario high schools.
Most scholarships do not require an application, but there are some exceptions. Below is a summary of entrance scholarships available to first-year students. Some are open to students in any program, while others are faculty/program specific. Visit our awards website to search the full list of entrance scholarships, awards, and bursaries.
Available to students in any program (no application required)
These scholarships are available to students in all programs. Once you’ve applied for admission, we’ll automatically consider you for these awards.
If you’ve been admitted to the Faculty of Arts and choose Renison University College or St. Jerome’s University as your academic home (by co-registering), any scholarships will be awarded by Renison or St. Jerome’s.
| Value | Criteria | |
|---|---|---|
| President’s Scholarship of Distinction | $2,000 Entrance Scholarship;$1,500 International Experience Award* or;$1,500 Research Award*, or both | Early May admission average of 95%+Available to students admitted to full-time first-year degree studies at Waterloo and who are beginning post-secondary studies for the first time in September. Visit the President’s Scholarship web page for full details.*Note: The International Experience Award and/or Research Award are available in your upper years if you choose to claim them and if you complete your first year with at least an 80% average. |
| President’s Scholarship | $2,000 Entrance Scholarship | Early May admission average of 90% to 94.9%Available to students admitted to full-time first-year degree studies at Waterloo and who are beginning post-secondary studies for the first time in September.Visit the President’s Scholarship web page for full details. |
| Merit Scholarship | $1,000 Entrance Scholarship | Early May admission average of 85% to 89.9%Available to students admitted to full-time first-year degree studies at Waterloo and who are beginning post-secondary studies for the first time in September.Visit the President’s Scholarship web page for full details. |
| Entrance scholarships sponsored by alumni and donors | Several at $1,000 – $5,000 | Academic performance |
| International Student Entrance Scholarships | Several at $10,000 each | Available to international students admitted to first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programAcademic performance (minimum 90% admission average)Admission Information FormMathematics and Computer Science applicants only: Results of Euclid Mathematics Contest and/or Canadian Senior Mathematics ContestAccounting and Financial Management applicants only: Results of the Accounting and Financial Management Admissions Assignment |
Scholarships which require an application
| Value | Criteria | |
|---|---|---|
| Schulich Leader Scholarship | Up to five scholarships of $80,000 over eight academic terms for science, technology, or math programs. Up to five scholarships of $100,000 over eight academic terms for engineering programs. | Awarded to entrepreneurial-minded high school graduates enrolling in a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) program. Based on academic excellence and leadership in community, entrepreneurial, or business endeavours. Financial need may also be considered.Must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.To be considered, students must be nominated by their high school or Cégep. The high school nomination deadline is January 29, 2020.Visit the Schulich Leader Scholarship website for additional details. |
| Entrance scholarships sponsored by alumni or other donors | Several at $1,000 – $5,000 | Based on academic performance as well as specific criteria:Deer Ridge Entrance Award (students from Waterloo Region, financial need, community involvement)Hong Kong Alumni Association Entrance Award (students from or previously from Hong Kong, community involvement)Serbian Education Fund Entrance Award (cultural contributions to Serbian community)UW – China Hong Kong Entrance Scholarship (students from or previously from China or Hong Kong, community involvement) |
Did you know? If you’re in a co-op program, you can earn $42,000 to $90,000 to help pay for your education.
Additional scholarships awarded by faculty/program
Not sure which faculty offers your program of interest? View programs listed by faculty.
If you receive an offer of admission, you’ll be considered for the following scholarships along with those listed in the available to any student section above. An application is not required for most of these scholarships.