Scholarships allow us to celebrate and recognize your achievements! Entrance scholarships are available if you're starting full-time first-year degree studies and are beginning university or college for the first time.
Scholarships are awarded primarily on academic and personal achievement. Bursaries, another type of assistance, are awarded based on financial need.
Scholarships are normally awarded in mid-May once we receive updated grades from Ontario high schools. Details will be listed in your Waterloo Quest account starting in mid-May.
Scholarships you'll automatically be considered for
President's Scholarships and others
The "admission average" we use to award scholarships generally consists of your top six grades, including the courses required for admission to your program(s) of interest.
Scholarship | Value | Criteria |
---|---|---|
President’s Scholarship of Distinction (admission average of 95%+) |
$2,000 entrance scholarship $1,500 International Experience Award* |
Visit the President's Scholarship web page for full details. *Note: The International Experience Award and/or Research Award are available after first year if you choose to claim them and if you complete your first year with at least an 80% average. |
President’s Scholarship (admission average of 90% to 94.9%) | $2,000 |
Visit the President's Scholarship web page for full details. |
Merit Scholarship (admission average of 85% to 89.9%) | $1,000 |
Visit the President's Scholarship web page for full details. |
Faculty- or program-specific scholarships | $1,000 to $57,000 | See below for details. |
International student scholarships | $1,000 to $40,000 | Waterloo offers more than 170 scholarships for international students. You'll automatically be considered for most scholarships although there are some which require an application. |
Scholarships which require an application
Not sure which programs are in the faculties of Environment, Math, or Science? View programs by faculty.
Faculty of Environment ($4,000 to $7,500)
Application deadline: mid-April
Faculty of Mathematics ($10,000 to $50,000)
- National and Global Scholarships (All Math programs, excluding Computing and Financial Management and Software Engineering)
- CIBC National Scholarship (Computer Science Co-op, Mathematics/Business Administration)
Application deadline: February 16, 2024
Faculty of Science ($15,000 to $40,000; for international students)
An application is required. Available to international (visa) students.
Application deadline: April 15
Schulich Leader Scholarships in engineering, math, and science (up to $120,000)
Up to 100 scholarships are awarded annually across 20 partner universities in Canada.
Eligibility
- For students admitted to programs in science, technology, engineering, and math who intend to pursue a career in technology, engineering, entrepreneurship/business enterprise, and/or applied scientific research.
- Recipients must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada.
- Based on academic excellence, STEM innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership.
- Financial need may also be considered.
How to apply
You must be nominated by your high school or CÉGEP by January 30, 2024. Visit the Schulich Leader Scholarships website for details.
Scholarships for Black students (up to $40,000)
If you're of African, African American, Afro-Latine, Black Canadian, Caribbean, or other African descent, you can use one application to apply for multiple scholarships valued at up to $40,000.
Application deadline: April 15
Scholarships for Indigenous students (up to $40,000)
If you're a citizen or member of a First Nations community (Status/Non-Status), Inuit, and/or Métis, you can use one application to apply to multiple Indigenous student scholarships.
Application deadline: April 15
Other awards (up to $20,000)
The application deadline for these scholarships is April 15, 2024.
Students from Waterloo region
- Deer Ridge Entrance Award (for students from Waterloo Region, based on academic performance, financial need, and community involvement)
- Joyce Scholars Award (for students who face financial barriers and have demonstrated the ability overcome obstacles and adversity, preference to students from Waterloo Region)
Students from Hong Kong or mainland China
- Hong Kong Alumni Association Entrance Award (for students from or previously from Hong Kong, based on academic performance and community involvement)
- Waterloo – China Hong Kong Entrance Scholarship (for students who reside in or who previously resided in Hong Kong or mainland China. Based on academic performance and community involvement)
Contributions to Serbian culture
Serbian Education Fund Entrance Award (for students who demonstrate significant cultural contributions to Serbian community)
Did you know? If you're in a co-op program, you'll earn money during each of your four to six co-op terms to help pay for school.
Additional scholarships awarded by faculty/program
You'll be automatically considered for the following scholarships along with those listed in the available to any student section above.
Not sure which faculty offers your program of interest? View programs listed by faculty.
Faculty of Arts
Programs: Honours Arts, Honours Arts and Business, Global Business and Digital Arts
Eligible programs | Value | Criteria | |
---|---|---|---|
Various entrance scholarships |
Honours Arts Honours Arts and Business Global Business and Digital Arts |
|
Academic performance
An application is not required |
If you’re 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.
Accounting and Financial Management, Sustainability and Financial Management
Value | Criteria | |
---|---|---|
Various entrance scholarships |
|
An application is not required. |
Faculty of Engineering
Programs: all Engineering programs, Software Engineering, and Architecture
Eligible programs | Value | Criteria | |
---|---|---|---|
Various entrance scholarships | Architecture | Several at $1,000 - $2,500 |
An application is not required. |
Various entrance scholarships | All Engineering programs |
Several at $10,000 over eight academic terms (normally the length of your degree) Several at $1,000 to $5,000 for one year |
An application is not required. |
Entrance scholarships for international students | All Engineering programs |
Several at $10,000 for one year |
International students admitted to full-time, first-year studies in Architecture, Engineering, or Software Engineering who are studying on an international study permit. An application is not required. |
Other entrance scholarships | All Engineering programs |
One at $18,250 |
An application is not required. |
Various entrance scholarships | Software Engineering |
One at $15,000 over eight academic terms (normally the length of your degree) Several at $4,000 for one year |
An application is not required. |
Engineering Entrance Awards for Black and Indigenous Students | All Engineering programs | Up to five awards, valued at $5,000 each |
An application is required by April 15. |
Faculty of Environment
Programs
- Climate and Environmental Change
- Environment and Business
- Environment, Resources and Sustainability
- Geography and Aviation
- Geography and Environmental Management
- Geomatics
- Knowledge Integration
- Planning
Scholarships
Eligible programs | Value | Criteria | |
---|---|---|---|
Jean Andrey Environment Leadership Scholarship | All programs (including Sustainability and Financial Management) | One valued at up to $7,500 for one year |
Academic performance (minimum 85% admission average) Demonstrated interest and/or passion for all environmental issues. An application is required by mid-April. |
Dean of Environment’s Scholarship for Excellence | All programs (excluding Sustainability and Financial Management) | Several at $7,500 for one year |
Academic performance (minimum 85% admission average) Demonstrated interest and/or passion for environmental issues. An application is required by mid-April. |
Faculty of Environment Entrance Scholarships | All programs (excluding Sustainability and Financial Management) | $2,000 for one year plus President’s Scholarship of Distinction valued at $2,000 | Early May admission average of 95.0% or above
An application is not required. |
Faculty of Environment Entrance Scholarships | All programs (excluding Sustainability and Financial Management) | $1,000 for one year plus President’s Scholarship valued at $2,000 | Early May admission average of 90.0% to 94.9%
An application is not required. |
Faculty of Environment Student Engagement Award | All programs (excluding Sustainability and Financial Management) | Up to 10 awards valued at $4,000 each for one year |
Academic performance (minimum 85% admission average) Demonstrated interest in sustainability-related activities in your community. An application is required by mid-April. |
Other entrance scholarships | All programs (excluding Sustainability and Financial Management) | Several from $500 to $4,000 |
Academic performance |
Faculty of Health
Programs
- Health Sciences
- Kinesiology
- Public Health
- Recreation and Leisure Studies (including Recreation and Sport Business, Therapeutic Recreation)
Eligible programs | Value | Criteria | |
---|---|---|---|
Various entrance scholarships | All Health programs | Several ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 for one year |
Academic performance Community leadership and good citizenship as indicated on the Admission Information Form. An application is not required. |
Faculty of Health entrance scholarships | All Health programs | $500 | Early May admission average of 80.0% to 84.9%. An application is not required. |
Faculty of Mathematics
Programs
- Business Administration (Laurier) and Computer Science (Waterloo)
- Business Administration (Laurier) and Mathematics (Waterloo)
- Computer Science
- Mathematics (which includes 14 Math majors)
- Mathematics/Business Administration
- Mathematics/Chartered Professional Accountancy
- Mathematics/Financial Analysis and Risk Management
Scholarships
Eligible programs | Value | Criteria | |
---|---|---|---|
Various entrance scholarships | All Math programs (excluding Computing and Financial Management and Software Engineering) |
|
An application is not required. |
National and Global Scholarships | All Math programs (excluding Computing and Financial Management and Software Engineering) | Up to 30 awards at $10,000 to $50,000 over eight academic terms (normally the length of your degree) |
An application is required by February 16, 2024. |
CIBC National Scholarship | Computer Science Co-op, Mathematics/ Business Administration | $25,000 over eight academic terms (normally the length of your degree) |
An application is required by February 16, 2024. |
Note: For more information visit the Mathematics Scholarships website.
Faculty of Science
Programs: Biotechnology/Chartered Professional Accountancy, Environmental Sciences, Honours Science, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Science and Aviation, Science and Business
Eligible programs | Value | Criteria | |
---|---|---|---|
Various entrance scholarships | All programs | Several at $1,000 - $10,000 for one year | Academic performance
An application is not required. |
Various entrance scholarships – Physics | Science program leading to a Physics major | Several at up to $5,000 for one year |
An application is not required. |
Optometry, Pharmacy | Entrance scholarships are not available. |
Computing and Financial Management
Value | Criteria |
---|---|
Several at $3,000 - $4,000 for one year |
An application is not required. |
Renison University College
Entrance scholarships
If you receive an offer of admission to Honours Arts, Honours Arts and Business, or Social Development Studies, you can choose Renison University College as your academic home base by co-registering. You would then be eligible for the following scholarships.
Value | Criteria | |
---|---|---|
Renison President’s Scholarship of Distinction | $2,000 | Students with an admission of average of 95% or higher. The two highest achieving students will receive an additional $2,000 (President's Scholarship for Excellence). |
Renison President's Scholarship | $2,000 | Students with an admission average of 90% - 94.9%. |
Renison Merit Scholarship | $1,000 | Students with an admission average of 85% - 89.9%. |
An application is not required for these scholarships. For more information, visit the Renison University College scholarships website.
Social Development Studies Equity and Diversity Entrance Scholarship
Availability: Two scholarships valued at up to $6,000 ($3,000 in first year and $1,000 in second, third, and fourth year).
While studying Social Development Studies (SDS) at Renison University College, students explore how human interactions are influenced by individual, collective, and structural forces including mental health, social relationships, economic conditions, education and politics, and movements for social justice and social change. The common aim of those who study SDS is to help people, communities, and nations flourish. Renison values diversity and equity and has designed this scholarship to address historical and contemporary injustices that have created barriers to higher education for members of marginalized groups (with priority going to self-identified Indigenous students; Black students; students of colour; LGBTQ+, queer, trans*, and/or Two-Spirit students; and students with disabilities).
An application is required for this scholarship. For more information, visit the Renison University College scholarships website.
Town and Gown Society Entrance Awards
Two scholarships valued at $1,000 each are available to students starting in September. These awards are offered by the Renison Town and Gown Society, a network of active and involved women from the local community, to encourage transfer students embarking upon their degrees in Social Development Studies.
An application is required for this scholarship. For more information, visit the Renison University College scholarships website.
St. Jerome's University
If you receive an offer of admission to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business, you can choose St. Jerome's University as your academic home base by co-registering.
Eligible programs | Value | Criteria | |
---|---|---|---|
Board of Governor's Scholarship | Honours Arts, Honours Arts and Business | $3,000 in first year
$2,000 available in upper years |
Academic performance
An application is not required. |
President's Scholarship of Distinction | Honours Arts, Honours Arts and Business | $2,000 Entrance Scholarship;
$1,500 International Experience Award and/or; $1,500 Research Award |
Open to students admitted to full-time first-year degree studies at St. Jerome’s University, who are beginning post-secondary studies for the first time.
Early May admission average of 95%+ View the President's Scholarship web page for complete eligibility details. An application is not required. |
President's Scholarship | Honours Arts, Honours Arts and Business | $2,000 |
Open to students admitted to full-time first-year degree studies at St. Jerome’s University, who are beginning post-secondary studies for the first time.
Early May admission average of 90%+
|
Entrance scholarships |
Honours Arts, Honours Arts and Business |
$1,000 | For students with averages between 85% and 89.9%.
An application is not required. |
Founder's Scholarship | Honours Arts, Honours Arts and Business | $1,000 | One student each from selected Catholic schools in Brantford, Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, and North Bay. This may be awarded in addition to a St. Jerome's entrance scholarship.
Academic performance An application is not required. |
Application-based awards | All Waterloo programs | $1,000 - $2,500 | Awarded to one or more students who demonstrate academic achievement and/or financial need and who are co-registered at St. Jerome's University (SJU), living in the SJU residence, or have another connection to the SJU community. |
Note: For more information and conditions, visit the St. Jerome’s University scholarships website.
Bursaries for students in financial need
A bursary is awarded based on financial need rather than on academic achievement. Students who are Ontario residents with financial need and who are starting university or college for the first time can apply for a Waterloo entrance bursary.
Ready to learn more?
- Use our student budget calculator to estimate your costs and resources for first year.
- Discover our ultimate guide to funding your university education.