Keep up to date with UWSA activities and connect with other members.
Grants available to staff
Scholarships available to students
- University of Waterloo Staff Association Awards: Undergraduate and Graduate
- Johnson Inc. Scholarships
Grants available to staff
Staff Enhancement Grant
Grant History
The Staff Enhancement Grant (SEG) was the vision of Bruce Lumsden who retired as Director of Cooperative Education in June 2005. With seed donations given at his retirement, he requested that a fund be created to provide grants to Waterloo staff pursuing personal and professional development. At that time, the University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) also donated $5,000.00.
Since then, the SEG has evolved to help cover costs associated with the pursuit of personal development undertaken by UWSA staff members.
The UWSA Staff Enhancement Grant Committee reviews applications and recommends recipients for a Staff Enhancement Grant to the UWSA Board of Directors. Applications will be judged on the basis of the overall merit of the objectives, activities, and benefits to the individual and the community.
All UWSA members are eligible to apply for a SEG. Preference may be given to individuals who have not previously received the grant. The grant will not supplement or replace routine departmental training unit development costs and responsibilities, or personal vacation. The amount of each grant is up to $500.00.
Application deadline dates:
- June 1
- December 1
Please refer to the SEG fund guidelines and submit your online application form to the UWSA office.
Staff Excellence Fund
Fund History
The SEF was established in January 2009 by the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation (PACSC) when the Special Recognition Award Program for University Support Staff was discontinued. $250,000 is allocated annually to fund the following initiatives:
High‐Quality Speakers. The fund will continue to sponsor speakers and events coordinated by Organizational & Human Development on topics relating to staff training and development, both within and independent of the annual staff conference. Estimated cost: $65,000/year.
Service Recognition. This fund contributes to the university’s annual Years of Service Reception for USG Staff at their at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 year milestones(as determined by Human Resources). (This recognition is independent of 25 Year Club Reception) Estimated cost: $50,000/year.
Engagement and Leadership Development. The funding previously allocated for the Special Initiatives Fund will be redirected to activities, programs and services to enhance employee engagement and foster leadership development. Estimated cost: $50,000/year.
Healthy Workplace Initiatives. The salary previously allocated for the Staff Career Advisor position will be redirected to initiatives in 2014 and 2015 to establish Healthy Workplace Initiatives, with a review in 2016. Estimated cost: $85,000/year.
In order to give staff input into how to allocate the Healthy Workplace Initiatives and the Engagement and Leadership Development initiative, PACSC delegated responsibility for generating and reviewing funding proposals to the UWSA. The SEF Committee was established as a standing committee in 2016.
Please review the SEF fund guidelines (PDF) and submit your online application form to the UWSA office.
Scholarships available to students
Undergraduate and Graduate student awards
For many years, the UWSA has partnered with the ECU – A Division of WFCU Credit Union (formerly “Education Credit Union”) to provide Graduate and Undergraduate awards to students. As of 2020, ECU has offered to provide $5,000 annually, matched by the UWSA for a total of $10,000 for these grants.
Several awards, valued at $500 or $1,000 each, are provided annually to deserving full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate students at the University of Waterloo who are affiliated with the UW Staff Association (UWSA):
- $1000 awards for recipients who receive the UW tuition benefit of 50% or less (Policy 24) or who do not qualify for tuition benefits at all.
- $500 awards for recipients who receive the UW tuition benefit of 100% (Policy 4).
Award selection will be based on academic merit (minimum 70% cumulative average) combined with contributions to the University or the community through extracurricular or volunteer activities.
Awards will be distributed equitably among graduate and undergraduate students based on enrolment and/or award application numbers.
There is one application deadline annually: November 15
Eligibility and Selection
- open to undergraduate and graduate students (full- or part-time) enrolled in a degree program at the University of Waterloo
- must be a current member of the UWSA, or be a child, spouse, grandchild, or dependent of a current UWSA member
- must be in good academic standing (minimum 70% cumulative average)
- must have demonstrated involvement in extracurricular and/or volunteer activities either on-campus or within the community
- normally candidates may not hold another major award or scholarship for the same application period, i.e., $5,000 at the graduate level and $2,000 at the undergraduate level
- recipients may re-apply in subsequent years, though preference will be given to candidates who have not previously received this award
Please complete the Award application online and submit to the UWSA office.
Award application submission form
Johnson Inc. Scholarships
The Johnson Inc. Academic Scholarships were established in 1998 by Paul J. Johnson and members of Johnson’s Corporate Leadership Team.
Johnson has awarded 100 Scholarships annually since that date. Each award is valued at $1,000. Canadian students who are graduating high school and pursuing post-secondary education in Canada may apply.
For more information, visit their website or call 1-877-328-7878.
Application Deadline: July 15
