Western University President's Entrance Scholarships

What you will need

• ✓ An application for admission to Western's main campus through OUAC (you need your OUAC reference number)
• ✓ The online National Scholarship application
• ✓ A nomination from your school
• ✓ An essay
• ✓ Your transcript, provided by your school
• ✓ A reference letter from your school

About this award

Western gives one President's Entrance Scholarship of $70,000 ($25,000 in year one, then $15,000 a year for years two to four), four of $65,000 ($20,000 in year one, then $15,000 a year) and up to 15 of $50,000 ($20,000 in year one, then $10,000 a year). This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident finishing high school with at least a 90% average on all your Grade 12 U/M courses (or equivalent), you are applying to Western's main campus in London, and you stand out beyond your grades: creative and innovative thinking, a passion for learning, achievement in activities like the arts or athletics, and ongoing service to your school and community. These scholarships are part of Western's National Scholarship Program. Your school must nominate you (each school can nominate up to 4 students), and you apply online with your OUAC reference number after applying to Western through OUAC. The last deadline was February 14, 2026; applications for 2027-28 open by mid-November 2026, and Western will post the new deadline then. Winners are chosen for all-round excellence, with special emphasis on commitment to community service. Ask Western roughly how many nominees apply so you can judge your odds. You must register as a full-time student at Western's main campus. If you receive a National Scholarship, you cannot also receive a Western Scholarship of Excellence, Western Scholarship of Distinction or Western Admission Scholarship. This page does not say what you need to keep the payments for years two to four. Check Western's National Scholarship FAQs before you count on the later years.

Who qualifies

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada with a minimum overall average of 90% on all Grade 12 U/M courses (or equivalent). You must apply for admission to Western University's main campus through OUAC, be nominated by your school, and register as a full-time student. International Baccalaureate and CEGEP students can be considered. Selection looks for outstanding academic performance, creative and innovative thought, a passion for learning, exceptional achievement in activities such as the arts and athletics, and a strong commitment to community service.

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

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

   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

• Community ServiceAvoid just listing the organizations where you volunteered. Instead, describe the specific impact your ongoing contributions had on your school or community. Write about one specific project you led or supported.
• ExtracurricularsAvoid mentioning every club you joined. Instead, focus on the arts or athletics where you achieved exceptional results. Provide a concrete example of an award or milestone you reached.
• StrategyAvoid focusing only on your GPA. Instead, show the balance between your academic success and your creative thinking. Explain how your passion for learning extends beyond the classroom.
• NominationAvoid waiting until January to ask about a nomination. Instead, ask your school early how it picks its nominees, since each school can nominate only up to 4 students and you cannot be considered without a nomination.

Questions students ask

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