University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship

What you will need

• ✓ No formal application is required; you are automatically considered based on your admission average
• ✓ Accept your Offer of Admission by the date specified on the offer
• ✓ Maintain full-time enrollment in a degree program from September to December

About this award

You receive a one-time University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship valued at $2,000. 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 student entering university for the first time and have maintained a very strong average in your final year of high school. Most awards are decided in early May, and you will see your scholarship information in mid-May under the Scholarships and financial aid tab in your applicant portal. If your early May average is below 85% but your final average in June or July reaches 85% or higher, you will be awarded the President’s or Merit Scholarship that matches it (this one needs 90–94.9%) and notified after final grades arrive in July. You will receive an email in late July with details on how to use the money for your tuition and fees. You are automatically considered for this award based on your admission average, which is calculated using the grades in your top six Grade 12 courses or equivalents, including the required courses for your specific program. There is no fixed number of awards: every student who meets the average and the conditions receives it. To keep the full value of this entrance scholarship, you must remain enrolled in full-time degree studies at University of Waterloo for the full four-month fall term from September to December.

Who qualifies

You must be admitted to a full-time, first-year degree program at the University of Waterloo main campus and be beginning university or college for the first time in September. To qualify for the President's Scholarship specifically, your early May admission average (including required courses) must be between 90% and 94.9% for the program you have accepted. You must also accept your Offer of Admission by the date specified on the offer and remain enrolled in full-time degree studies for the entire September to December term. Note that this award is not available if you register through St. Jerome’s University.

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

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

• Academic RecordAvoid worrying about a single low grade if it is not a required course for your program. Instead, focus on your top six Grade 12 courses or equivalents, as these are what the school uses to calculate your average. Check your portal in mid-May to see your official status.
• Offer AcceptanceAvoid delaying your decision to attend. Instead, accept your Offer of Admission by the exact date listed on your offer letter to ensure you remain eligible for the funding. Mark that date on your calendar immediately.
• StrategyAvoid assuming you are out of the running if your early May average is below 85%. Instead, keep pushing for high marks in June and July, because a final average of 85% or higher can still earn you a President’s or Merit Scholarship (this one needs 90–94.9%). Monitor your email closely throughout the summer.
• RealismAvoid counting on this as your only source of funding. Instead, look for additional scholarships offered by your specific faculty or University College, as you can often receive those in addition to this award. List all potential sources in a simple spreadsheet.

Questions students ask

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