Community Leadership Entrance Award

What you will need

• ✓ Completed written application via the Undergraduate Admissions Applicant Portal
• ✓ Contact information for verifiers who can confirm your activities and achievements
• ✓ Participation in one interview if selected during pre-selection

About this award

You get $5,000 as a one-time payment. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. Along with the money, you get priority access to budgeting and financial planning with a financial aid counsellor and a special career planning and advising program created just for you. This is for you if you are a leader in your community and have dedicated yourself to social justice, racial justice, inclusion, or community-building initiatives. In the 2026 round, applications opened January 5 and closed March 7; McGill has not yet posted the dates for the next round. All applicants hear the results by email before May 1. Winners are chosen through a pre-selection process based on your written application, followed by one interview and a final selection. The award recognizes non-academic achievements such as leadership in social justice, racial justice, inclusion and community-building, and values such as empathy, integrity, determination and respect for others. Ask McGill University how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask McGill University during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. This award is non-renewable, meaning you receive it once. Renewal conditions aren't listed because it is a one-time payment, but you can still apply for other McGill University financial aid, such as merit-based entrance scholarships or need-based entrance bursaries.

Who qualifies

You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or refugee student coming from the Quebec school system, which includes CEGEP (Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel — the public post-secondary colleges in Quebec) and Quebec high schools. You must be a newly admitted first-degree student with an offer of admission to any on-campus Bachelor’s degree program. Please note that mature, transfer, and returning students are not eligible. There are no academic requirements to apply. Preference will be given to historically underserved and underrepresented communities in Quebec, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, youth from care or former youth from care, persons with disabilities, 2S&LGBTQ+ persons, and refugees or protected persons.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Canadian citizen, permanent resident, refugee or protected person
• ✓ Open to high school or CEGEP students
• ✓ Resident of Quebec

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Check this year's deadline

   We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's official page will have it.

Tips for applying

• LeadershipAvoid just listing the titles of the groups you joined. Instead, describe the specific impact your dedication to social justice or inclusion had on your community. Give a concrete example of a project you led.
• ReferencesAvoid providing contacts who cannot speak to your community work. Instead, list verifiers who have seen your leadership in action. Ensure your references are ready to confirm your specific achievements.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until you have your admission letter to apply. Instead, submit your application as soon as the portal opens (it opened January 5 in 2026). This ensures you meet the March 7th deadline regardless of your admission status.
• RealismAvoid assuming this is the only funding available. Instead, remember that this award is meant to complement other aid. Apply for the merit-based Entrance Scholarship and need-based Entrance Bursary at the same time.

Questions students ask

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