No question, university is a big investment in your future. The money that you – and possibly your family members – contribute is the foundation for your financial plan, but you may need more to cover all of your university costs.
Expenses
Your main costs at university will be your tuition and living expenses.
Tuition and fees
Waterloo's tuition fees vary by program and type of student.
Living expenses (for first year)
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Residence | $7,570 to $10,080 |
| Meal plan | $3,000 to $8,990 |
| Personal expenses (e.g., phone, clothing, entertainment; depends on your lifestyle) | $4,300 |
| Estimated total living expenses | $16,390 to $31,490 |
Resources
Common ways to cover your costs include
- personal and/or family contributions,
- scholarships,
- bursaries (for Ontario students, based on financial need), and
- government loans and grants such as the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
Cost calculator
Estimate your total first-year expenses and see how much money you have.
Ways to pay for first year
Learn how to use scholarships, bursaries, student loans, and part-time jobs as ways to pay for your first year of university.
Earn up to
$2,000
per school term with a part-time work-study job right on campus!
Over the course of their work terms, Waterloo co-op students have
potential earnings of $137,000
93%
of new Waterloo students starting in September 2025 received a scholarship