Application for Entrance Awards Designated to Indigenous Students

To protect the integrity of Indigenous candidates, you are required to complete the Indigenous Declaration section in Quest where you will be asked to upload documentation to verify your Indigenous identity. This supporting documentation will be reviewed by staff in the Office of Indigenous Relations at the University of Waterloo. Only verified students will be considered for these awards.

The following awards are for Indigenous students. For the purpose of these or other similar awards, an Indigenous person is one who is a citizen or member of a First Nations community (Status/Non-Status), Métis, and/or Inuit. To be considered, applicants must verify their Indigenous identity with documentation or an affidavit from a recognized Indigenous community. 

You will be considered for any that you qualify for, based on the award criteria and your responses to the application questions. This includes any additional entrance awards, based on similar criteria, which may become available.

Contact Alex DeGagne if you have any questions about applying for admission or scholarships as an Indigenous student.

Deadline to apply: April 15

4KPi Award for Black and Indigenous Students in Mathematics

Two awards, valued at $12,566.37 each, will be provided annually to deserving Black or Indigenous students entering Year One of any co-op undergraduate degree program within the Faculty of Mathematics (excluding Software Engineering) in full-time studies. Candidates must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a protected person in Canada. Selection is based on the application statement wherein students are asked to describe the impact this award will have on their pursuit of postsecondary studies. This fund was made possible by Jay Biskupski (BMATH ’81) and Catherine Imrie. Their hope is to reduce financial stress for first-year marginalized students, giving them a more equitable playing field.

Aziz Shallwani Memorial Award for Black and Indigenous Students

One award, valued at up to $1,650, will be provided annually to a Black or Indigenous undergraduate student entering Year One of any program in the Faculty of Engineering. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement, the Admission Information Form (AIF), the online video interview, as well as an application statement wherein students are asked to describe the impact this award will have on their pursuit of post-secondary studies. This fund was established by family and friends of Aziz Shallwani (BASc ’00) to honour his memory and to support diversity and inclusion among the next generation of Waterloo engineering students. 

Dumanski Family Scholarship for Black and Indigenous Students in Engineering

A scholarship, valued at up to $1,200, will be provided annually to a full-time Black or Indigenous undergraduate student enrolled in Year One of any program in the Faculty of Engineering. Selection is based on a combination of academic excellence, the Admission Information Form (AIF), and the online video interview. This fund is made possible by Steve Dumanski to encourage Black and Indigenous students to consider Waterloo Engineering. 

Engineering Entrance Awards for Black and Indigenous Students
Up to five awards, valued at $5,000 each, will be provided to full-time undergraduate students who self-identify as Black or Indigenous and who are entering Year One of any program in the Faculty of Engineering. To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Selection will be based on a combination of academic excellence as well as extracurricular and leadership involvement assessed through the Admission Information Form (AIF). Recipients will be encouraged to engage in outreach activities in their community and/or high school to create pathways for future students and additional financial incentives will be provided to support these endeavours. This award is made possible by numerous donors that contributed to the Engineering Diversity Fund established by the Faculty of Engineering.

Faculty of Arts Indigenous Student Entrance Award
Two awards, valued at up to $20,000 paid over eight academic terms, will be provided to Indigenous undergraduate students entering Year One of any full-time degree program in the Faculty of Arts. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement and community involvement through extracurricular and/or volunteer activities. Preference will be given to students who best demonstrate what receiving this award would mean to their pursuit of post-secondary studies.  Recipients will receive $2,500 per full-time academic term for up to eight terms (1A-4B). Payments beyond Year One are dependent on maintaining a minimum overall average of 70% and full-time enrolment. 

Kiinomaagawin Zhoonia Award

Several renewable awards, valued at up to $40,000 (paid over eight academic terms) will be awarded to deserving Indigenous undergraduate students entering Year One of any full-time degree program at the University of Waterloo. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement and demonstrated connection and/or contributions to Indigenous communities, as well as a statement wherein students are asked to describe what receiving this award would mean to them in their pursuit of post-secondary studies. Recipients will receive $5,000 per academic term for up to eight terms (1A-4B). Payments beyond Year One are dependent on maintaining Good Academic Standing (as defined by the recipient’s academic program) and full-time enrolment in a degree program. Kiinomaagawin Zhoonia, pronounced kii-no-maa-ga-win shoon-naw, means wealth of learning or teaching. This award is made possible by a donation from Dominic Barton, the University of Waterloo’s 11th Chancellor.  

O’Malley-Hikel Accounting Award for Black and Indigenous Students
One award, valued at $5,000, will be provided annually to a Black or Indigenous undergraduate student entering Year One of any program in the School of Accounting and Finance. Selection will be based on extracurricular involvement and/or participation in volunteer leadership activities. This fund is made possible by a donation from Patricia O’Malley (LLD ‘16) and Ron Hikel. Both Ronald and Patricia believe that increasing the capacity of Black and Indigenous students to become leaders in the financial management of their communities will provide long-term benefit to those communities and to society as a whole.

Omura-Morrison Family Award for Indigenous Students
One award, valued at $5,000, will be provided annually to a deserving Indigenous student entering Year One of any program within the Faculty of Mathematics (excluding Software Engineering). Selection is based on an application statement wherein students are asked to describe the impact this award will have on their pursuit of post-secondary studies. This fund was made possible by Dan Morrison (BMath’84) and Sharon Omura. Their hope is to help reduce financial stress for first-year Indigenous students, giving them a more equitable playing field. 

RLB Accounting Award for Black and Indigenous Students

One award, valued at $2,000, will be provided annually to a Black or Indigenous undergraduate student entering Year One of any program in the School of Accounting and Finance. Selection will be based on extracurricular involvement and/or participation in volunteer leadership activities. This award is generously funded by RLB LLP. RLB understands that Black and Indigenous students are underrepresented in accounting careers and are committed to taking meaningful steps to give back and help provide access to this career path.

Romesh and Manju Batra Award for Black and Indigenous Students
An award, valued at up to $1,200, will be provided annually to a Black or Indigenous undergraduate student enrolled in Year One of any program in the Faculty of Engineering, with preference to students in Mechanical Engineering. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement, the Admission Information Form (AIF), the online video interview, as well as an application statement wherein students are asked to describe the impact this award will have on their pursuit of postsecondary studies. This fund is made possible by a donation from Romesh and Manju Batra as a tribute to Romesh’s parents, Amir Chand and Dewki Bai Batra, who ensured that their two children received a post-secondary education.

Scotiabank Entrance Scholarship for Black and Indigenous Students
One scholarship, valued at $10,000, will be awarded annually to a Black or Indigenous student entering Year One of any program within the Faculty of Mathematics (excluding Software Engineering). Selection will be based on a combination of academic excellence, and extracurricular involvement and/or volunteer activities. Preference will be given to students who are attempting to advance Black or Indigenous initiatives in their community. This fund is made possible by a donation from Scotiabank with the goal to support marginalized students.

Vitaly Pecherskiy Entrance Award for Black and Indigenous Students

One award valued at $20,000, or two awards valued at $10,000 each, will be provided to Black and/or Indigenous undergraduate students entering Year One of Computer, Management, Mechatronics, Software, or Systems Design Engineering. Candidates must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a protected person in Canada. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement, the Admission Information Form (AIF), the online video interview, as well as an application statement wherein students are asked to describe the impact this award will have on their pursuit of postsecondary studies. This award is made possible by a donation from Vitaly Pecherskiy to increase accessibility to education and create opportunities for underrepresented groups. 
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Indigenous selection criteria
These awards are for Indigenous students. Responses will be used solely for the purpose of determining eligibility for these awards or other similar awards offered to first-year students (i.e., awards limited to Indigenous students).
Indigenous identity
For the purpose of these or other similar awards, an Indigenous person is  one who is a citizen or member of a First Nations community (Status/Non-Status), Métis, and/or Inuit.
Declaration and documentation of Indigenous identity

These awards are limited to Indigenous and Black students. If you are a Black student, complete the Application for Entrance Awards Designated to Black Students. Otherwise, based on your answer, you do not qualify for these awards.

Return to the Forms for undergraduate students web page.

Personal information
(8 digits)
Academic information
Indicate the program(s) you have applied to and/or been accepted to at Waterloo.
Award selection
Provide a statement/essay (up to 1,000 words) to explain what receiving an award would mean to you in your pursuit of post-secondary studies.
Provide a statement/essay (up to 1,000 words) describing your involvement in extracurricular or volunteer activities at school and/or in the community. If possible, focus on involvement you've had within the Indigenous community.
Declaration and consent
Indicate you have read and understood the statements below by checking each box.