University of Waterloo Software Engineering Awards

Four University of Waterloo awards of $1,000 or more for students already in Software Engineering: for top marks, financial need, entrepreneurship or a study or co-op term abroad.

Published by G Paul · last checked September 26, 2026

Total value

$2,000

Next deadline

Nov 1, 2026

Level

Undergraduate

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

For the Babbin Family Scholarship: the fall-term Undergraduate Award Application, by November 1, 2026 (a separate application for each award)
For the Bayne International Experience Award: the International Experience Award application, by November 15, 2026
For the CAE Inc. Award in Software Engineering: the bursary application in Quest (Financial Aid tile), once a term
For the Electrohome 75th Anniversary - John Pollock Scholarship: no application; the recipient is selected automatically

About this award

These are in-course awards for students already in the program, not entrance awards. The Babbin Family Scholarship pays $2,000, the Bayne International Experience Award pays $1,000, and the Electrohome 75th Anniversary - John Pollock Scholarship pays up to $2,000. The CAE Inc. Award in Software Engineering is several bursaries of $1,000 or more each, every year. These are scholarships, awards and bursaries, not loans, so you do not have to pay them back. This is for you if you are a high-achieving Software Engineering student at Waterloo, especially if you are heading abroad for a study or co-op term, you run side projects, or you need financial help. Each award has its own process. For the Babbin Family Scholarship, submit the Undergraduate Award Application by November 1, 2026. For the Bayne award, submit the International Experience Award application by November 15, 2026. For the CAE award, complete the bursary application in Quest (one application a term considers you for all bursaries). The Electrohome scholarship needs no application: the student is selected automatically. Babbin winners are chosen on marks (minimum 80% cumulative average) and a demonstrated passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. The Electrohome scholarship is based on your marks in the second-year core and at least three third-year Computer Science or Software Engineering courses. The Bayne award gives preference to students travelling to an unfamiliar country where they will experience a different culture. Ask Waterloo's Student Awards & Financial Aid office (safainfo@uwaterloo.ca) how the money will reach you, so you can plan your cash flow.

Who qualifies

You must be an undergraduate student at the University of Waterloo. Specifically: For the Babbin Family Scholarship: full-time in Year Two or Three of Software Engineering or Computer Science, with a minimum 80% cumulative average and a demonstrated passion for entrepreneurship and innovation (for example side business projects, competitions or extra-curricular initiatives). Canadian citizens and permanent residents only. For the Bayne International Experience Award: full-time in Year Two, Three, or Four of Software Engineering or Computer Engineering, with a minimum 80% cumulative average, and taking part in an international study or co-op (cooperative education — a program where you alternate academic terms with full-time paid work) experience. For the CAE Inc. Award in Software Engineering: full-time in any year of the Software Engineering program, with a minimum overall average of 75% and demonstrated financial need. Canadian citizens and permanent residents only. For the Electrohome 75th Anniversary - John Pollock Scholarship: an outstanding undergraduate in Year Three or Four of Computer Science or Software Engineering.

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 undergraduate students
Studying Software Engineering or Computer Science

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

EntrepreneurshipFor the Babbin Family Scholarship, avoid only listing your grades. Instead, show your passion for entrepreneurship and innovation with concrete examples, such as a side business project, a competition or an extra-curricular initiative.
International ExperienceFor the Bayne award, avoid waiting until you have left. Submit the International Experience Award application by November 15, and explain why the country you are going to is unfamiliar to you and how you will experience a different culture.
StrategyAvoid applying for every award regardless of fit. Instead, focus on the ones that match your year and program, and fill in a separate Undergraduate Award Application for each award that needs one.
RealismAvoid assuming that a 75% average is enough to win the CAE Inc. award. Financial need is also a requirement, so complete the bursary application in Quest for each term you need help.

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?

Applications close on November 1, 2026. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.

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