Scholarships and awards

The French Department offers a number of scholarships and awards. Please consult the Faculty of Arts and the Student Awards & Financial Aid websites for more details on university- and- faculty-wide awards. Students with an Intensive Specialization (FTS or FFLC) are eligible to apply for a $3000 FSL bursary at the end of their first year.

French scholarships & awards

French scholoarships and awards titles and descriptions
Award Title Award Description
Ambassador of Belgium Book Prize

This book prize is awarded annually to a promising student in fourth year French studies.

Ambassador of Switzerland Book Prize

This book prize is awarded annually to a promising student in second or third year French studies.

Department of French Studies Memorial Scholarships - Nicole Rolland

Valued at $1,000, these scholarships honour deceased students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the Department of French Studies. Scholarships are made, as funds permit, to full-time undergraduate students at any level in French Studies in the Faculty of Arts on the basis of academic achievement.  This particular award is awarded to the student who has maintained the highest French average in the department. 

Department of French Studies Memorial Scholarships - Robert L. Myers

Valued at $1,000, these scholarships honour deceased students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the Department of French Studies. Scholarships are made, as funds permit, to full-time undergraduate students at any level in French Studies in the Faculty of Arts on the basis of academic achievement.  This particular award is awarded to a student who has demonstrated a superior commitment to her / his academic studies in French.

Department of French Studies Memorial Scholarships

Valued at $1,000, these scholarships honour deceased students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the Department of French Studies. Scholarships are made, as funds permit, to full-time undergraduate students at any level in French Studies in the Faculty of Arts on the basis of academic achievement.  This particular award is awarded to a student who has demonstrated a superior commitment to her / his academic studies in French.

Department of French Prize

A prize, valued at up to $300, is awarded annually by the Department of French to the graduating French major who attains the highest overall average in French.

Hélène and Ray McLenaghan Award

One award, valued at up to $1,200, is provided annually to an outstanding undergraduate student entering third or fourth year in French Studies or Applied Mathematics. The recipient must have a minimum overall average of 75%, proven community involvement, and demonstrated financial need. This award is made possible by a donation from Dr. Helene McLenaghan (Language Instructor, French Studies) and Dr. Ray McLenaghan (Professor Emeritus, Applied Math). To be considered, students must complete the University of Waterloo Full-Time Bursary/Award Application.

Herbert and Raymonde Dubé Memorial Scholarship

One or two scholarships, valued at up to $1,000, are awarded to a fourth-year student registered in French Teaching Specialization in the Department of French Studies. The recipient will be selected on the basis of high academic achievement in French along with a demonstrable contribution to French life on campus.

Jacqueline Forster Scholarship in French Language

A scholarship, valued at $1,000, is awarded annually in honour of her FR 155/156 students by Jacqueline Forster, French language instructor at Waterloo from 1976 to 1989 and recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award in 1989. This scholarship is awarded to the most promising on-campus student in first- or second-year French courses who intends to specialize in French.

Jeanne La France Scholarship

A scholarship, valued at $400, is awarded in honour of Professor Jeanne La France who taught French-Canadian literature at Waterloo from 1966 to 1979. Eligible for the award are students entering their fourth year of a degree with French as a single or joint specialization who have a minimum overall average of 83%.

Nantes/Chicoutimi Celebration Awards

Two awards valued at $1,000 for Nantes exchange students and one award valued at least $500 for Chicoutimi exchange students, are awarded annually to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in Year Three in the Department of French Studies in the Faculty of Arts who are in good academic standing and who have demonstrated financial need. To be considered, students must complete the University of Waterloo International Experience Award Undergraduate Application Form.

Ramakrishnan Award

The awards, valued between $500 - $2,000, are available annually to full-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in the Department of French Studies in the Faculty of Arts on the basis of academic performance while overcoming a significant personal challenge or crisis. Interested students should submit an application (PDF) to the Department of French Studies by April 30. This award is made possible by a donation from Madhuri and Sri Ramakrishnan in honour of François Paré, for the support and mentorship he gave their son, Vivek, through the completion of his BA, MA and PhD.

Ramakrishnan award application form (PDF)

Donor Information

This gift is made in honour of François Paré, in recognition of the support and mentorship he has provided to Vivek Ramakrishnan, as Vivek completed his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and now his PhD in French Studies. The faculty in the French Department served as mentors and coaches for Vivek, and his family would like to show their gratitude with this gift to the Department of French Studies, in support of students who must contend with personal or physical challenges while completing their degree.