What are bursaries?
Bursaries are non-repayable awards issued to students who demonstrate financial need. They’re designed to supplement other forms of funding you may be eligible for. Before being considered for a bursary, you‘re expected to:
- Seek financial support from all sources including family, employment, loans, and OSAP or other provincial student aid program
- Review your OSAP application to ensure it’s accurate. Errors, omissions and appeals on an OSAP application can affect the amount of funding you receive.
Support at University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo aspires to identify students with financial need and ensure that all eligible students admitted to full-time undergraduate programs have the financial assistance necessary to complete their studies.
What does this mean?
Financial shortfalls, as defined by OSAP, are determined by calculating OSAP’s allowable costs (tuition, compulsory fees, books, etc.) and subtracting your expected resources (income, OSAP funding, family contributions, etc.).
If your resources are higher than your costs, you do not have a financial shortfall. If your costs are more than your resources, you do have a financial shortfall and may be eligible for a bursary. An overview of the bursaries available at Waterloo is included below.
Student bursaries
Bursaries are available for current undergraduate and graduate students who have financial need and meet all eligibility criteria.
Students registered through Conrad Grebel, Renison, St. Jerome's, or United College should consult their respective school to inquire about their bursary application process.
- To be considered for bursary assistance, complete the online application (in Quest).
- Bursary applications are considered one term at a time.
- You will need to apply for a bursary for each term that you wish to be considered for bursary assistance.
Entrance bursary
The University of Waterloo Entrance Bursary application is available to students entering their first year in the fall. You can find a link in your Quest account from February 1 to April 15.
Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD)
The Bursary for Students with Disabilities program (BSWD), which is funded through the provincial and federal governments, provides aid to eligible students self-identifying as having either permanent disability or persistent or prolonged disability. The bursary assists with the costs of disability-related services or equipment, such as tutors, note-takers, interpreters, brailler or technical aids that are required to participate in post-secondary studies.
Additional specific bursaries and awards
Additional bursaries and need-based awards are provided through the generous support of private donors, corporations, foundations and provincial government funding. Many of these awards have very specific selection criteria in addition to financial need and we welcome applications from eligible students.
Search the Undergraduate Awards Database for additional bursaries and awards.
Tip: Under "Award type", choose "Financial need awards/bursaries" to help with your search.