SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID

What is a Scholarship?

Traditionally, scholarships are based on academic achievement. Application requirements vary by scholarship, but often include a request for your grades so the administrator can assess your academic credentials. Some awards, marked "automatic consideration," and don't require an application at all.

Entrance Scholarships

When you apply to a university or college, you will be automatically considered some entrance scholarships. Other entrance scholarships  (also known as "prestige awards"), require an additional application. These scholarships typically look at your academics as well as your leadership and extracurricular experiences. They’re almost always highly competitive, so the more high-impact volunteer experience you have, the better.

What is a Bursary?

Bursaries are based on financial need. They may also have academic requirements, but their main purpose is to support students who would not be able to afford school, otherwise. When applying, you may need to show why you need assistance, and where your need is greatest.

What is OSAP? 

OSAP stands for the Ontario Student Assistance Program, a financial aid program run by the government of Ontario that helps eligible students pay for post-secondary education through grants (which you don’t need to repay) and student loans (which you do). It is available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons who are Ontario residents studying full-time or part-time. 

OSAP applications for a new academic year typically open in the spring (around April–May), and many schools recommend submitting your full-time application by June 30 to ensure funding is ready for the start of classes. 

Western's National Scholarship Program supports top students who want to pursue a world-class education at one of Canada's leading universities.

We're looking for high-potential applicants who excel in the classroom and in extracurricular pursuits. Our aim is to attract the best students from across Canada and around the world, helping them achieve their academic goals while encouraging them to contribute to our campus community.

Some of our National Scholarships include:

Value                                                     Scholarship                                            # awarded 

 $96,000                      Beryl Ivey Continuing Entrance Scholarship                    1 

 $80,000            Neen Hodgins President's National Entrance Scholarship       1 

 $80,000        Neen Hodgins President's International Entrance Scholarship 1 

 $70,000                         President's Entrance Scholarship 1 

 $65,000 President's Entrance Scholarship 4 

 $50,000 President's Entrance Scholarship         15 

 $50,000 James Jenkins President's Entrance Scholarship for Black Students 5 

 $50,000                                    National Indigenous Scholarship 5 

 $100,000 International President's Entrance Scholarship 3 

 $30,000 Faculty Entrance Scholarship 15 

 $5,000 National Scholarship Study Abroad Award 46 

 $2,000 for one year National Merit Award 50 

More details about all the scholarship programs offered at Western can be found online at the Office of the Registrar website. If you have any questions, our Student Financial Services Officer Norma Merino would be pleased to help at 519-661-2111 extension 85958 or email nmerino@uwo.ca. 

Target applicant

Open to students who are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Portuguese descent.

Eligibility

The applicant must be enrolled in a Canadian high school (Grade 12), or attending college or university.

Minimum grade/GPA

N/A

Amount

$4,000

Number of awards

Varies

Deadline

2026-01-19

How to apply

Required: Applicants must submit the online application form which includes a current resume, a short bio, a transcript, a reference letter and a headshot photograph.

Scholarships are selected based on academic merit and community involvement.

https://www.fpcbp.com/fpcbp-scholarship/ 

Inquiries

scholarship@fpcpb.com

Target applicant

Open to a current high school senior planning to enroll as a fulltime student in a two- or four- year college/university or trade school in the fall of 2025.

Eligibility

Applicant must be the dependent of a full- or part-time hourly associate of The Home Depot at the time of the application.

Minimum grade/GPA

N/A

Amount

$2,500

Number of awards

Varies

Deadline

2025-01-20

How to apply

Orange Scholars offers scholarships to associates’ children based on financial need and academic performance, as well as community involvement and leadership. Financial need is given the highest consideration.

https://thdhomerfund.org/scholarships 

Inquiries

Homer_Fund@HomeDepot.com

President's Scholarship: 7 awards of $42,500 ($8,250 annually for 4 years of study plus one $9,500 stipend for summer research assistantship). Open to students entering a degree program with a minimum 90% admission average who have made significant leadership and innovative contributions to their schools and communities and demonstrate the potential to become a leader in society. Deadline: January 23. 

Lincoln Alexander Chancellor's Scholarships: 2 awards of $42,500 ($8,250 annually for 4 years of study plus one $9,500 stipend for summer research assistantship). Open to students entering a degree program with a minimum 90% admission average who have made significant leadership and innovative contributions to their schools and communities and demonstrate the potential to become a leader in society. In addition, students must be Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis); or a person with a disability; or a person of colour/racialized person. Deadline: January 23. 

Board of Governors' Scholarships: 10 awards of $20,000 (payable over 4 years of study). Open to academically outstanding entering students with the highest admission averages of the entering cohort. Application is not required.  

Target applicant

Open to students who are nominated by their high school.

Eligibility

The student must be graduating high school in the 2025/2026 academic year and must be a Canadian citizen. Plan to enrol in an eligible STEM program at one of the partner universities.

Minimum grade/GPA

N/A

Amount

$100,000-$120,000

Number of awards

100

Deadline

2026-01-28

How to apply

Partner universities here.

Applicants must be entrepreneurial-minded. Strong consideration will be given to students with financial need. Must be intending to pursue a career in one or more of the following focus areas: technology, engineering, entrepreneurship and business enterprise or applied scientific research.

The application includes two reference letters; one short answer; three-four short essays; one-minute video upload; current academic transcript, credit counsel summary or detailed academic report; and a headshot profile image. If you are interested in this scholarship, speak to a guidance counselor.

Nomination deadline is January 28. The deadline for the scholarship application, including reference letters, is February 18.

https://schulichleaders.com/ 

Target applicant

Open to young women in robotics who demonstrate a deep dedication to the advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM through impressive leadership and a strong passion for the field.

Eligibility

Applicants must be currently enrolled, or have been enrolled, in a Canadian high school and have participated in a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) or FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team in Canada. They also must be eligible to enroll, and agree to enroll, as a full-time student in an accredited college or university, and use the scholarship to pursue a major or degree program in engineering or science; be a dedicated role model in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Minimum grade/GPA

N/A

Amount

$10,000

Number of awards

1

Deadline

2026-01-31

How to apply

Required: Applicants must submit a completed online application form, a letter of recommendation from a high school instructor, a brief essay (500 words), and an official high school transcript.

https://firstroboticscanada.org/cwis/ 

Inquiries

joanna.whitney@firstroboticscanada.org

Target applicant

Open to students currently enrolled or who have been enrolled in a Canadian high school.

Eligibility

Applicants must be eligible to enroll and agree to enroll as a full-time student in an accredited college or university and they must have participated in a FIRST Robotics Competition or a FIRST Tech Challenge team. The ideal candidate is someone who has demonstrated strong leadership traits, innovative thinking, and a motivation to drive positive change in their community and in business. The scholarship supports high school students who wish to pursue a career in leadership and business. They must use the scholarship to pursue a major or degree program in entrepreneurship, business, or innovation-focused leadership.

Minimum grade/GPA

N/A

Amount

$5,000

Number of awards

1

Deadline

2026-01-31

How to apply

Required: Applicants must submit an online application form, including a letter of recommendation from a high school instructor, a brief (no more than 500 words) essay and an official high school transcript.

https://firstroboticscanada.org/donbossi/ 

Inquiries

joanna.whitney@firstroboticscanada.org

Ontario Learn & Stay Grant

For students interested in studying Nursing, Paramedic, or Medical laboratory technology/science -- this program offers full tuition funding for students who study and stay to work in priority areas. 

The Ontario government will pay the cost of tuition and books for students who study in an eligible program. In exchange, students commit to working in the region for student for at least 180 days (6 months) for every full year of study funded by the grant. For example, if the program is 2 years long, the student would work for 1 year after graduating from the program in the region where they studied. 

Please visit the the site to find out which programs are eligible for this grant: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-learn-and-stay-grant

If you are accepted into an eligible program, you would then apply for this grant at the same time as OSAP (opens late May). 

Scholarships Canada

https://www.scholarshipscanada.com/

Ontario Universities' INFO

https://www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca/scholarships

Value: $40,000 and upwards. Open to students who demonstrate superior academic ability, creative and original thinking, involvement in school or community activities, and proven leadership qualities. Financial need is also a consideration for some of the major admission awards. 

Check out all of Queen's Major Admission Scholarship Opportunities. 

To apply for the Chancellor’s Scholarship, a high school nomination is required.

Key dates: 

• Apply for admission to Queen’s via the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) no later than November 20 to ensure that you gain access to SOLUS to submit your MAA application by December 8. It takes 4-6 business days to receive your SOLUS login from the date you applied to Queen's University. 

• Deadline: December 8.

This award recognizes volunteers for providing committed and dedicated service to an organization.

Adults are recognized by the length of time they've volunteered with one organization, ranging from five to 65 years of continuous service. Youth (24 years old and under) are recognized for two or more years of continuous service.

A youth nominee must:

• be under 24 years old and under

• have volunteered with one organization for at least two consecutive years

Required information

• Nominating organization name, address, email, phone number and year established

• Volunteer first name, last name, address, email, and phone number

• Head of organization (if applicable) first name, last name, email, phone number and position title.

How to nominate someone

• Gather the required information:

• Create an account (or sign in for returning users) on the Ontario Honours and Awards Portal.

• Submit your nomination through the portal.

NOMINATION PORTAL

NEW full-ride scholarship at U of T!

Information session:

September 28: Zoom (4-5PM)

Seeking students with exceptional Drive to Build and Lead; Curiosity and Intellectual Engagement and Exceptional Character. Sixteen students will be fully funded study in the Faculty of Arts & Science at U of T. The scholarship also provides fully funded travel, internships at top organisations, mentorship, and more. The Scholarship is a premier, ambitious program inspired by the Rhodes Scholarship to develop critical thinkers and problem solvers.

Wolf Scholars accepts up to 3 nominations per school. Students do not need a nomination to apply, but it strengthens their overall application. Schools must register their Nominator Contact at this link: https://wolfscholars.awardsplatform.com/ .

Key Dates:

November 7: Prospective Wolf Scholars must apply to the Faculty of Arts & Science through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) by the early admission date.

November 10: Student applications are due.

November 17: Schools must have nominations validated.

For more information, please visit: https://www.wolfscholars.com/apply 

Since 1995, TD has awarded millions in TD Scholarships for Community Leadership to recognize students who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community leadership. TD Scholarships for Community Leadership recipients receive up to $70,000 for tuition and living expenses as well as opportunities for paid summer employment, peer networking and mentorship. Supporting young community leaders is one way TD is helping to foster change, nurture progress and support local communities. 

Students may now access our online application system at https://portal.scholarshippartners.ca/welcome/td_en/ 

The National Scholarship Program covers tuition, incidental and residence fees for up to four years of study. Runners-up will receive Arbor Scholarships at a value of $7,500 in the first year and $1,500 per year for three additional years of undergraduate study. Students who have been nominated by their schools as National Book Award recipients may submit applications to the National Scholarship Program.

To apply for the National Scholarship Program, you must be:

• a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person

• in your final year of Canadian secondary school or first-year CEGEP

• planning to start university in the upcoming academic year (or planning to take a gap year)

• nominated by your school for the U of T National Book Award

The deadline for schools to submit a Book Award nomination is October 10. (Nominated by your school)

The deadline for admission to U of T and to be considered for the National Scholarship Program is October 17.

• In order to submit your National Scholarship Program application, you must first apply to at least one undergraduate program at the University of Toronto. The deadline to apply for admission to U of T and be considered for the National Scholarship Program is October 17, 2025.

The deadline for nominees to apply for the National Scholarship is October 31.

• After you’re nominated and receive your JOINid, which you’ll get after you apply, you’ll gain access to the online National Scholarship Program application. You must complete and submit the scholarship application by October 31, 2025. You will not be automatically considered—you must submit the application.

The deadline for the letter of reference is November 7.

• As part of your application, you will be asked to choose a person within your school or your community to send us a confidential reference letter to support your application. Once you submit your application, your referee will be sent a link to submit their letter of reference. The deadline for your letter of reference is November 7, 2025.

Please check out https://future.utoronto.ca/national-scholarships for more information.

We are thrilled to announce that once again this year, The Loran Award is offering as many as 36 Loran Awards to students entering university in the fall of 2026 who distinguish themselves through their strength of character, commitment to service, and intrinsic sense of values-driven leadership. We are accepting applications from now until Thurs, Oct. 16, 2025, at noon ET. 

Loran Scholars benefit from a four-year leadership-enrichment program, financial support for their undergraduate studies, national and international experiential learning opportunities, and a long-term supportive community of peers and mentors, including business and community leaders. You can find a detailed breakdown of the program here. In addition to naming 36 Loran Scholars, they will also allocate more than $400,000 in additional one-time awards to up to 54 Loran Finalists and 70 Loran Provincial and Territorial recipients. Applying is always worth the effort! 

Students may now access our online application system at apply.loranscholar.ca. They can also view the sample application form. 

The Pearson International Student Scholarships cover tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years. The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Toronto for first-entry, undergraduate programs. Each year approximately 37 students will be named Pearson Scholars.

To be eligible to apply to the Pearson International Scholarship, you must be:

• an international student (i.e. a non-Canadian requiring a study permit);

• enrolled in your final year of senior secondary school in 2025/2026 or have graduated no earlier than June 2025; and

• beginning your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2026.

Students who are already attending post-secondary studies or students who are starting their post-secondary studies in January 2026 at another post-secondary institution are not eligible for the Pearson International Scholarship.

The deadline to nominate a student is October 10. 

The deadline to apply for admission to U of T and be considered for the Pearson Scholarship is October 17. 

• To be considered for the Pearson Scholarship, you must apply to at least one undergraduate program at the University of Toronto. You must begin your studies in September 2026. The deadline to apply for admission to U of T and be considered for the Pearson Scholarship is October 17, 2025.

• Please note: You may apply to up to three areas on your application for admission, however, the Pearson Scholarship, if awarded to you, would be restricted to your top choice of program at the time our scholarship decisions are made.

The deadline to complete the Pearson International Scholarship application and submit all required documentation is November 7.

• You will receive a private link to the Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship application when you have been nominated by your school. You will be able to complete this form after you have submitted your application for admission to U of T.

• The deadline to complete the Pearson International Scholarship application and submit all required documentation is November 7, 2025.

For more information, check out: https://future.utoronto.ca/pearson-scholarships 

Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Value: $28,000. 

“The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award recipients are selected for their dedication to the humanitarian ideals of Terry Fox, their courage in overcoming obstacles, and definite marks of distinction and persistence in the pursuit of excellence in academic, athletic, and civic life. A myriad of obstacles exist, and we consider any adversity that calls for a demonstration of courage, compassion, and fortitude. Financial need is not in itself a criteria of our Award. It can, however, be included as an obstacle.” 

Thirteen awards open to students of all abilities in good academic standing who are involved in voluntary humanitarian activities, and planning to or are already studying towards their first university degree or diploma in the upcoming academic year. 

LEARN MORE! 

Deadline: December 1.