McMaster University Entrance Award (Award of Excellence)

Get up to $3,000 for entering your first year of a full-time undergraduate degree at McMaster University based on your high school admission average.

Published by G Paul · last checked September 26, 2026

Total value

$3,000

Level

High school

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

No formal application required (automatic award)
Full-time admission to Level 1 of your first baccalaureate degree program
Final admission average meeting the faculty-specific cut-off
Final grades submitted via OUAC (the Ontario Universities' Application Centre)

About this award

You can receive up to $3,000 for most programs, though the award is $1,000 if you enter the Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing, or Midwifery. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a high-achieving high school student entering your first baccalaureate (undergraduate) degree program and have met the strict admission average cut-offs for your specific faculty. You will hear about your offer in early February. However, remember that your offer is conditional until McMaster University receives your final grades from OUAC (the Ontario Universities' Application Centre — the central system used to apply to Ontario universities). Winners are chosen automatically based on your final admission average as determined by your faculty. There is no separate application process, but you must be admitted full-time on the basis of high school requirements. The money is automatically credited to your student account in mid-September, after the add/drop deadline, to pay any fees you owe. If your tuition is already paid, the remaining balance is deposited into your personal bank account (McMaster issues refunds by Interac e-Transfer). Since this is an entrance award for your first year, renewal conditions aren't listed. If you are counting on this for multiple years, confirm with McMaster University whether it is a one-time award or if it is renewable.

Who qualifies

You must be admitted full-time to Level 1 of your first baccalaureate degree program based on high school admission requirements. You must meet the following non-rounded admission averages: - Arts & Science: 98.00% + - BTech: 90.00% + - DeGroote School of Business: 92.00% + - Engineering: 97.00% + - Computer Science: 97.00% + - iBioMed: 98.00% + - Faculty of Health Sciences: 98.00% + - Nursing: 93.00% + - Midwifery: 93.00% + - Faculty of Humanities: 94.00% + - Faculty of Science: 97.00% + - Faculty of Social Science: 93.00% + (for 2026-2027) or 94.00% + (for 2027-2028) - Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement: 95.00% + Note that you can only receive either this award or the Faculty-specific Achievement Award, not both.

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 or international student
Open to high school students
Studying Arts & Science, BTech, Business, Engineering, Computer Science, iBioMed, Health Sciences, Nursing, Midwifery, Humanities, Science, Social Science or Leadership and Civic Engagement

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
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

GradesAvoid assuming a rounded average will qualify you. Instead, ensure your final calculated average meets the exact decimal requirement, as McMaster University does not round admission averages.
SupportAvoid ignoring your conditional offer letter. Instead, keep a close eye on your final transcripts sent via OUAC (the Ontario Universities' Application Centre) to ensure the school has your latest grades by August.
StrategyAvoid worrying about a separate application. Instead, focus entirely on maintaining your grades in your final high school term, as this award is granted automatically based on your performance.
RealismAvoid treating a conditional offer as final. Instead, realize that if your final admission average drops below your faculty's cut-off, your award may be adjusted or cancelled.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

We don't have a confirmed deadline for this one. Check the award's official page for this year's date.

Can international students apply?

Yes. It is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Sep 26, 2026