Neen Hodgins National Entrance Scholarship

What you will need

• ✓ Online National Scholarship Application
• ✓ Official school nomination
• ✓ Completed essay
• ✓ Academic transcript (submitted by your school)
• ✓ Reference letter (submitted by your school)
• ✓ Admission application to Western University main campus via OUAC

About this award

You can receive $80,000 in total, which is paid as $20,000 per academic year for a period of four years. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are entering Western's Faculty of Arts and Humanities as an all-round high achiever who balances a 90% average with a passion for learning, creative thinking, and a strong commitment to community service. The deadline for 2026-27 (February 14, 2026) has passed; applications for 2027-28 will be available by mid-November 2026. Your online application and all supporting documents must arrive by the deadline — mailed documents must be received, not just postmarked. Finalists are told in the first week of April if they will be interviewed, and scholarship offers go out in the first week of May. To be considered, you first need a nomination from your school. Each school can nominate up to 4 students, though they can nominate 1 additional student if that person is an international visa student. A selection committee of University faculty reviews applications for academic performance, creative and innovative thought, passion for learning, extracurricular achievement and community service, then invites a small group of finalists to Western for an on-campus interview. Only one Neen Hodgins National Entrance Scholarship is given. Ask Western 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. To keep it after first year, you need a minimum 80% average, continuous enrolment at the main campus and a full course load (five courses) or as prescribed by your faculty.

Who qualifies

You must be a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident of Canada. You must have a minimum overall academic average of 90% on all Grade 12U/M courses (or equivalent). This award is only available to those who register as a full-time student at Western's main campus. Students in International Baccalaureate (IB — a global standardized curriculum) and CEGEP (Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel — a pre-university college system in Quebec) programs are also eligible. To be considered, you must first apply for admission to Western University's main campus through the OUAC (the Ontario Universities' Application Centre — the central portal for university applications in Ontario). This scholarship is reserved for students entering the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and you need a nomination from your school to be considered.

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 or permanent resident
• ✓ Open to high school students
• ✓ Studying arts or humanities

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

   Order your transcript1–2 weeks

   Your school's registrar can take a week or two.

3. 3

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

4. 4

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

5. 5

   This round closed on February 14, 2026

   Check the award's official page for the next round before you prepare anything.

Tips for applying

• EssayAvoid writing a generic summary of your achievements. Instead, use your essay to show your passion for learning and your ability for creative and innovative thought. Focus on one specific project where you pushed beyond the classroom.
• ReferenceAvoid choosing a referee who only knows your grades. Instead, pick a teacher or mentor who can speak to your commitment to community service and your impact on school life. Ensure they provide a specific example of your leadership.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the last minute to secure your nomination. Instead, talk to your school counselor early to understand their internal selection process for the 4 available nomination slots. Submit your request for nomination well before the application deadline.
• RealismAvoid assuming a 90% average is enough to win. Instead, remember that this is a highly selective national program where schools limit nominations to a very small group. Apply for other Western University admission scholarships to diversify your options.

Questions students ask

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