Western University Need-Based Awards

What you will need

• ✓ Complete the Financial Assistance application via the Student Centre website
• ✓ Submit any supporting documents an award asks for as PDFs through the secure DocDrop
• ✓ Reference the specific name of the award in your PDF file name
• ✓ For Need Based Application - Varsity Athletes: must be an Affiliate student (Huron or King's)
• ✓ For Need Based Application - Fanshawe Stream Nursing students: must be in year 2 of the Fanshawe stream of the Collaborative Nursing program

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact Western University to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. As these are bursaries, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a student who can demonstrate a combination of academic merit and financial need, and in some cases, meet specific non-academic requirements. The Financial Assistance application opens in late August each year in the Student Centre, and you must submit it, with any supporting documents, by September 30th. No notification timeline is posted publicly — when you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back via email, portal, or phone. Awards are given on a combination of academic merit and financial need, and some also have non-academic requirements. Check each award's description in Western's online Award Search to see what it asks for. 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. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Western University whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You qualify if you can show a combination of academic merit and financial need. Some awards also have non-academic requirements. Specific groups have dedicated paths: the Varsity Athletes application is only for Affiliate students at Huron and King's, and the Fanshawe Stream Nursing award is only for students in year 2 of the Fanshawe stream of the Collaborative Nursing program.

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 post-secondary 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

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

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

3. 3

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• Financial NeedAvoid submitting a generic statement of hardship. Instead, provide clear evidence of your financial situation as requested in the Financial Assistance application. Have your financial details ready before the application opens in late August.
• SupportAvoid sending documents in formats other than PDF. Instead, save every piece of evidence as a PDF before uploading to DocDrop. This ensures your files are accepted by the system.
• StrategyAvoid treating the general application as the only step. Instead, use the online Award Search tool to see if specific awards you qualify for require extra supporting documentation. Check each award description carefully so you don't miss a requirement.
• RealismAvoid waiting until the last minute to upload files. Instead, aim to submit everything well before the September 30th deadline. Technical issues with DocDrop could prevent your application from being considered.

Questions students ask

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