University of Waterloo Scholarships: Benefits, Eligibility Criteria, Application & Selection Process

Comprehensive Guide to University of Waterloo Scholarships: Funding, Eligibility & Application Process

The University of Waterloo in Canada is a leading institution known for its commitment to academic excellence and research. To support international students, the university offers a wide range of scholarships that help ease financial burdens and reward outstanding achievements. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the benefits, eligibility criteria, application process, and selection procedure for these scholarships.

Benefits of University of Waterloo Scholarships

Scholarships range from CAD 1,000 to CAD 80,000, covering tuition fees, living expenses, and other academic costs.
Many scholarships are awarded automatically upon admission, while others require a separate application.
Co-op programs allow students to earn between CAD 9,000 and CAD 21,500 per four-month work term.
Additional bursaries of up to CAD 2,000 are available based on financial nee

Eligibility Criteria

For Undergraduate Students

Completion of high school with a minimum 75% aggregate.
Possession of a valid Canadian study permit.
Proof of English language proficiency:
- IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5
- TOEFL IBT: Minimum score of 90
- PTE: Minimum score of 63

For Postgraduate Students

A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 80% aggregate.
Valid health insurance and study permit.
English proficiency requirements remain the same as undergraduate programs.

Documents Required

Applicants must submit the following documents:

A photocopy of a valid passport.
Transcripts of academic records.
Statement of Purpose (SOP).
English language proficiency test scores.
Visa and study permit.
Offer letter from the University of Waterloo.
Letter of Recommendation (LOR).
National-level test certificates (if applicable).

University of Waterloo Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

Scholarship Name	Eligibility Criteria	Award Amount
International Student Entrance Scholarships	Minimum 90% in high school, full-time first-year undergraduate program, Olympiad scores, Admission Information Form	Up to CAD 10,000
President’s Scholarship of Distinction	High school score of 95%	Up to CAD 2,000
President’s Scholarship	High school score of 90%	Up to CAD 1,500
Merit Scholarship	High school score of 85%	Up to CAD 1,000
Faculty-Specific Scholarships	Varies based on the chosen faculty	CAD 1,000 - 10,000

University of Waterloo Scholarships for Postgraduate Students

Scholarship Name	Eligibility Criteria	Duration	Award Amount
University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship	80% or First Division in Bachelor’s degree	3 Years	Up to CAD 1,000 per semester
International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE)	Full-time research-based Master’s Degree	4 Years	Up to CAD 2,500 per semester
International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA)	Full-time PhD student	3 Years	CAD 15,420 per year
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)	Open to all disciplines; available to both Canadian and international students	1 Year	CAD 15,000 per year
Trudeau Foundation Scholarships	Requires a separate application through the foundation’s portal	Duration of PhD	Varies

Most scholarships, including the President’s and Merit scholarships, are awarded automatically based on eligibility. However, certain scholarships require a separate application, such as those listed below.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Value	Application Required?
International Student Entrance Scholarship	All programs	20 scholarships of $10,000 each	No
Faculty of Engineering International Student Entrance Scholarships	Environmental and Geological Engineering programs	$20,000 (over two years)	No
Faculty of Engineering International Student Entrance Scholarships	Architectural, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Management, Nanotechnology, and Systems Design Engineering	$10,000 (for first year)	No
Faculty of Mathematics Global Scholarships	Most Mathematics programs	Up to 10 scholarships valued between $12,000 - $40,000	Yes (by Feb 14, 2025)
Faculty of Mathematics International Awards: India	Indian students applying to select Mathematics programs	Up to 15 scholarships of $20,000 - $40,000	Yes (by Feb 14, 2025)
Faculty of Science International Student Scholarships	Most Science programs	15 scholarships of $25,000 - $80,000	Yes (by April 4, 2025)
Scholarships for Black Students	Students of African, African American, Afro-Latine, Black Canadian, Caribbean, or other African descent	$1,200 to $40,000	Yes (by April 15, 2025)

Application Process

How to Apply for the University of Waterloo Scholarships

Follow these steps to apply for a scholarship at the University of Waterloo:

For Undergraduate Programs: Register on the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For Postgraduate Programs: Apply through the Graduate Studies website of the university.
Submit Required Documents: Upload all necessary documents through the Quest portal.
Pay the Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of CAD 125 must be paid.
Receive an Offer Letter: The university will issue an offer letter if your application is successful.
Contact the University for Queries: Send inquiries to specialconsideration@uwaterloo.ca or gradapply@uwaterloo.ca.
Automatic Consideration: Many scholarships do not require a separate application and are automatically considered based on the program applied for.

Selection Process

The selection process at the University of Waterloo is highly competitive. Here’s what the admission committee looks for:

Academic Excellence: Applicants with strong academic records and high entrance test scores are given preference.
Letter of Recommendation & Statement of Purpose: A well-written SOP and strong LORs improve chances of selection.
Research Abilities & Work Experience: Candidates with research experience, internships, or work experience stand out.
Extracurricular Achievements: Activities such as athletics, Olympiads, debates, and social work add value.
Interview Process: Shortlisted candidates may be required to attend an online interview for final selection.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply