Western Scholarship of Distinction

What you will need

• ✓ No formal application required for the initial scholarship (automatic consideration)
• ✓ For the optional study abroad funding: submit an International Experience Awards Application in the same academic year as the start of your travel
• ✓ Ensure all final summer school grades are received by the Admissions Office by August 31st

About this award

You can receive $3,500 in total. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. You get $2,500 in your first year, and an additional $1,000 is available for an optional study abroad experience. There is an unlimited number of these awards available. This is for you if you are a high-achieving high school student moving directly into a full-time undergraduate program at Western University's main campus. No application deadline is posted publicly because you are automatically considered for this award. However, if you are taking summer school courses that might change your average, you must ensure your final grades reach the Admissions Office by August 31st. You will be notified via your @uwo.ca email account in mid-to-late September. Selection is automatic based on your academic record. You must have a final admission average between 92.0% and 100.0%. Note that Western University does not round averages up to the nearest whole percentage when deciding who gets this scholarship. The money is applied directly to your fee account before the end of September. It can be used toward your second installment of fees. If the scholarship creates a credit on your account, you will receive a refund via direct deposit to your bank account in December. To keep the first $2,500, you must remain registered for full-time studies (a minimum of 3.5 courses) at the main campus. If you withdraw or drop to part-time status, you will lose the scholarship. To get the optional $1,000 study abroad portion, you must participate in a Western-sanctioned international learning experience and complete it before the end of your fourth year.

Who qualifies

You must be admitted to an undergraduate program at Western University's main campus directly from secondary school and be registered in first-year full-time studies (minimum 3.5 courses). You need a final admission average of 92.0% to 100.0%. You are not eligible if you have previously attended a post-secondary institution or if you are a home-schooled applicant. Additionally, you cannot receive this if you already have a National Scholarship, Schulich Leader Scholarship, Continue in Canada Admission Scholarship, or the Welcome to Canada Admission Scholarship.

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

• BankingAvoid waiting until September to set up your payments. Instead, log into your Student Center account now to add your bank account under Student Financials > Direct Deposit. This ensures your December refund reaches you quickly.
• StrategyAvoid ignoring your university email. Instead, check your @uwo.ca account daily during mid-to-late September. This is the only way you will be notified if you won the award.
• RealismAvoid counting on the full $3,500 for your first-year tuition. Instead, remember that $1,000 is only released if you actually go on a sanctioned study abroad trip. Plan your first-year budget using only the $2,500 amount.

Questions students ask

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