If you’re an international student looking to attend the prestigious University of Waterloo, you know how tough the competition can be. But fear not! Scholars are available to help make the cost of studying at Waterloo more manageable. With these resources, you can make your dream of attending this world-renowned institution a reality.
Overview of University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is a public research university in Canada with a main campus in Waterloo, Ontario. It was founded in 1957 and has grown to become one of the most innovative and influential universities in the world. Here are some quick facts about the University of Waterloo:
It has more than 42,000 full- and part-time students, including 21% undergraduate and 40% graduate international students from over 150 countries.
The University is the #1 university in Canada for entrepreneurial learning, with a creator-owns intellectual property policy that grants students and researchers full ownership of their innovations. It supports various entrepreneurship programs and initiatives, such as Velocity, the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, and the GreenHouse Social Impact Incubator.
Please read more about HOW TO GET INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO.
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Scholarship opportunities at the University of Waterloo for international students
It offers a range of scholarships and awards for international students based on academic merit, research excellence, leadership potential, and financial need. Here are some of the scholarships you can apply for or be automatically considered for:
- International Student Entrance Scholarships: Every year, twenty scholarships worth $10,000 each are given to exceptional international students admitted to the first year of an undergraduate degree program. Those international students who are admitted with an admission average of 90% or higher will be considered.
- Schulich Leader Scholarships in Engineering, Math, and Science: These scholarships are awarded to high school graduates who plan to pursue a degree in STEM fields at one of the partner universities in Canada. These scholarships cost $80,000 for engineering programs and $100,000 for science and math programs.
- International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE): This award is given to international students registered full-time in a research-based master’s program at the University of Waterloo. The value of this award is $2,500 per term for a maximum of five terms.
- International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA): Eligible international students enrolled full-time in a doctoral program at the University of Waterloo will automatically receive this award. The award is valued at the difference between domestic and international tuition fees.
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS): This scholarship is awarded to outstanding graduate students in Ontario, including international students.
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS): These scholarships are awarded to Canada’s most outstanding graduate students, including international students.
- Trudeau Foundation Scholarships: Exceptional graduate students in Canada, which include international students, are granted these
How to get a scholarship at University of Waterloo
Eligibility requirements
The eligibility requirements for scholarships at the University of Waterloo for international students vary depending on the scholarship. However, some standard eligibility requirements include:
- Admission to a full-time degree program at Waterloo: You must be admitted to a full-time degree program at Waterloo to be eligible for most scholarships.
- Strong academic record: A solid academic record, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or a 4.0 scale, is required.
- Involvement in extracurricular activities: It’s highly recommended to engage in extracurricular activities, including volunteer work, clubs, and sports.
- Letters of recommendation: To complete your application, you need to provide letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, or mentors who are familiar with your academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
- Personal statement: You must submit a personal statement that explains why you are interested in attending Waterloo and what you hope to achieve with your scholarship.
Besides the general eligibility requirements, specific scholarships may have extra requirements, such as a minimum standardized test score or a particular field of study. To increase your chances of receiving a scholarship, it’s essential to thoroughly examine the eligibility criteria for each one you’re interested in applying for.
Relevant documents
The documents needed for a scholarship application at the University of Waterloo vary depending on the scholarship. However, some standard documents that may be required include:
- Application form: You must complete the scholarship application form, which is available on the Waterloo website.
- Academic transcript: You must submit an official copy of your academic transcript from your high school or previous university.
- Letters of recommendation: To complete your application, you must provide two letters of recommendation. Teachers, coaches, or other mentors who can attest to your academic and extracurricular achievements should provide letters of recommendation.
- Personal statement: You must submit a personal statement that explains why you are interested in attending Waterloo and what you hope to achieve with your scholarship.
- Test scores: You might be required to furnish your scores from standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT.
- Other documents: Some scholarships may require additional documents, such as a portfolio of your work or a research proposal.
Opening and closing dates
The opening and closing dates of scholarships at the University of Waterloo may vary depending on the type and source of the scholarship and the program and level of study you are applying for. Here are some general deadlines for some of the scholarships available at Waterloo:
- You do not need to apply separately for undergraduate entrance scholarships automatically awarded to qualified students, such as the President’s Scholarship of Distinction or the Merit Scholarship. You will be considered for these scholarships when you apply to Waterloo.
- For undergraduate awards that require an application, such as the Awards for Black and Indigenous Students or the Schulich Leader Scholarships, you must submit your application by a specific date. For example, the deadline for the Awards for Black and Indigenous students is April 15 for students starting in September and November 15 for students beginning in January. The deadline for the Schulich Leader Scholarships is February 1.
- For graduate scholarships that are automatically awarded to eligible students, such as the International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE) or the International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA), you do not need to apply separately. You will be considered for these awards when you apply for admission to a research-based master’s or doctoral program at Waterloo.
- For graduate scholarships that require an application, such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) or the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS-M), you must submit your application by a specific date. For example, the deadline for the OGS is January 31. The deadline for the CGS-M is December 1.
How to apply
The scholarship application process and procedure at the University of Waterloo vary depending on the scholarship. However, the general steps involved in applying for a scholarship at Waterloo are as follows:
- Identify scholarships that you are interested in. There are many scholarships available to students at Waterloo, so it is crucial to identify scholarships you are interested in and eligible for. You can find a list of all scholarships available to students at Waterloo on the Waterloo website.
- Read the eligibility requirements carefully. When you come across a scholarship that interests you, reviewing the eligibility requirements carefully is crucial. Make sure that you meet all of the eligibility requirements before you apply.
- Gather the relevant documents. Each scholarship will have its own set of necessary documents.
- Complete the application form. Carefully complete the scholarship application form. Make sure to answer all of the questions thoroughly and honestly.
- Submit the application materials. Submit the application materials to the scholarship committee by the deadline.
- Wait for the decision. The committee will review your scholarship application, and a decision will be made. You will be notified of the decision through email.
Tips and advice
Here are some additional tips for applying for scholarships at Waterloo:
- Start early. The application deadlines for scholarships can be early, so starting your research and application process well in advance is essential.
- Proofread carefully. Make sure to proofread all of your application materials carefully before submitting them. Making typos and grammatical errors can create a negative impression on the scholarship.
- Be personal. Make sure to list your academic and extracurricular achievements in your personal statement. Take the time to share your personal story and why you are passionate about attending Waterloo.
- Be specific. When you talk about your goals for the future, be specific about what you want to achieve. The scholarship committee wants to know that you have a clear plan for using your scholarship to further your education and career.
FAQs
What types of scholarships are available at the University of Waterloo?
The University of Waterloo offers various types of scholarships, including entrance scholarships, in-course scholarships, scholarships for specific programs or faculties, scholarships for international students, and scholarships based on specific criteria such as academic merit or financial need.
How do I apply for scholarships at the University of Waterloo?
Most scholarships automatically consider students based on their admissions applications. Specific scholarships may necessitate an extra application, whereas others are awarded based on particular criteria like academic achievements or financial circumstances.
What are the eligibility criteria for scholarships at the University of Waterloo?
The eligibility requirements for scholarships at the University of Waterloo vary depending on the specific scholarship. Generally, scholarships are granted based on academic excellence, extracurricular accomplishments, leadership skills, and financial need.
Can international students apply for scholarships at the University of Waterloo?
International students can apply for scholarships at the University of Waterloo. Specific scholarships are available for international students based on academic performance, leadership qualities, or country of origin.
Are scholarships available for specific programs or faculties at the University of Waterloo?
There are scholarships available for specific programs or faculties at the University of Waterloo. Scholarships are frequently awarded based on academic performance in a particular program or faculty.
When is the deadline to apply for scholarships at the University of Waterloo?
A: The deadline to apply for scholarships at the University of Waterloo varies depending on the specific scholarship. For accurate and up-to-date information, it is advisable to visit the university’s website or contact the admissions or scholarship office.
Are scholarships renewable each year?
Some scholarships at the University of Waterloo are renewable annually, while others are one-time awards. To ensure that a scholarship is renewable, it’s crucial to review the specific details of each scholarship.
Can I combine scholarships at the University of Waterloo?
In most cases, students cannot combine multiple scholarships at the University of Waterloo. However, applying for all eligible scholarships is still beneficial, as you may be awarded the most valuable scholarship you qualify for.
Are there scholarships available for graduate students at the University of Waterloo?
There are scholarships available for graduate students at the University of Waterloo. These scholarships’ eligibility criteria and application processes may vary from those for undergraduate students.
Can I use a scholarship to cover my entire tuition fee at the University of Waterloo?
It depends on the value of the scholarship and the tuition fee for your specific program. While some scholarships may cover a significant portion of the tuition fee, others may only provide partial funding. It is essential to review the details of each scholarship to determine its coverage.
