Scholarships and bursaries

Two smiling students descend the stairs of Waterloo's Environment 1 building wearing autumnal clothing

Faculty of Environment scholarships

Faculty of Environment Student Engagement Awards

Awards are available to up to 10 incoming Environment students and are valued at $4,000 each. Recipients are selected based on their previous volunteer, leadership, and/or sustainability-related activities in their communities. 

The Jean Andrey Environment Leadership Scholarship

One scholarship of $7,500 is awarded to a full-time undergraduate student entering Year One of any program in the Faculty of Environment. Recipients are selected based on academic excellence combined with leadership potential and interest in environmental issues, as evidenced by involvement in extracurricular and/or volunteer activities.

Dean of Environment's Scholarship of Excellence

Five scholarships of $7,500 are available, awarded to students based on academic achievement and demonstrated leadership and commitment to the environment.

University and faculty entrance scholarships

Every undergraduate student admitted to full-time first-year studies in the Faculty of Environment is automatically considered for the following scholarships provided they are beginning post-secondary studies for the first time in Fall 2025.

No application is required. You must accept your Offer of Admission by the date specified on the offer to remain eligible for these scholarships.
  

Early May admission average University of Waterloo entrance scholarship Faculty of Environment entrance scholarship Total
95% or higher

President's Scholarship of Distinction* - $2,000

$2,000 $4,000*
90 to 94.9%

President's Scholarship - $2,000

$1,000 $3,000
85 to 89.9%

Merit Entrance Scholarship - $1,000

n/a $1,000

Note: These and other scholarships are subject to change.

*Plus a $1,500 International Experience Award and/or a $1,500 Research Award. These awards 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.

How you'll be notified

If you qualify, you’ll receive a letter with your Offer of Admission.

  • If you receive your scholarship offer before May, you must meet all the conditions specified above. Once we’ve reviewed your marks available in early May, we’ll confirm your University of Waterloo President’s or Merit Scholarship by email.
  • If you receive your scholarship offer in May, we will already have reviewed your marks available in early May. You must still meet all other conditions specified above.

In August, you’ll receive an email with instructions about how to use the award to help pay your tuition fees.

Bursaries

A bursary is similar to scholarships in that you are not required to repay it, but it's awarded primarily on financial need rather than academic achievement.

Find out what entrance bursaries you may be eligible for on the Student Awards & Financial Aid website.

Find a complete list of scholarships available to students based on a variety of criteria, including enrolment in specific Environment programs, in the entrance awards database.

Other scholarships available to incoming Environment students

Full list available at Student Awards & Financial Aid.

Joan M. Swanson Memorial Scholarship 

Two scholarships, valued at $1,500 each, are awarded annually to undergraduate students entering first year in the Faculty of Environment.

Tao Shang Award

An award, valued at $2,000, will be provided annually to a full-time undergraduate student entering Year One of any program in the Faculty of Environment. 

Tom Curry and Family Award

An award, valued at up to $1,200, is awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in Year One of any program in the Faculty of Environment who has demonstrated financial need.

Ed Jernigan Knowledge Integration Entrance Scholarship 

One scholarship, valued at $3,000, is awarded annually to an outstanding full-time undergraduate student entering Year One of the Bachelor of Knowledge Integration program. Selection is based on academic achievement and extracurricular involvement as assessed through the Admission Information Form. Other awards totalling $5000+ for incoming Knowledge Integration students can be found in the Student Awards and Financial Aid award database. 

HSBC Bank Canada Entrance Award in Environment and Business

One or two awards, valued at $1,000 - $2,000 each, are awarded annually to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in Year One of the Environment and Business program who have a minimum admission average of 80% and demonstrated financial need. 

John Horton Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship, valued at up to $1,500, is awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate student entering Year One in the School of Planning. 

Len Gertler Scholarship 

One scholarship, valued at up to $1,500, is awarded annually to an outstanding student entering the first year of Planning. Other awards totalling $15000+ for incoming Planning students can be found in the Student Awards and Financial Aid award database.

Awards for current students

See awards offered by the Faculty of Environment