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OntarioLikely if eligible
University of Waterloo President's and Merit Scholarships
University of Waterloo
- Amount
- $1,000 to $2,000One-time entrance scholarships: 85 to 89.9% gets the $1,000 Merit Scholarship; 90 to 94.9% gets the $2,000 President's Scholarship; 95% or higher gets the President's Scholarship of Distinction ($2,000 plus eligibility for a $1,500 International Experience Award and/or a $1,500 Research Award in upper years, with an 80% first-year average). Faculty scholarships can be received in addition.
- Deadline
- No fixed dateNo application required. Scholarships are based on the early May admission average and are posted in the applicant portal in mid-May. Students whose final June or July average reaches 85% or higher are awarded after final grades arrive.
Go to the official page (opens in a new tab)
Always confirm the details there before applying.
About this award
Waterloo automatically gives a one-time entrance scholarship to students admitted with an 85% or higher average, including required courses. It is $1,000 for 85 to 89.9% and $2,000 for 90% or higher. Students at 95% or higher can also later claim up to $3,000 more for international or research experience. No application is needed.
Who can apply
- Admitted to a full-time, first-year degree program
- Starting university or college for the first time in September
- Admission average of 85% or higher (top six Grade 12 courses including required courses)
- Not applicable to students registering through St. Jerome's University, which has its own scholarships
What to submit
- No separate application (automatic)
- Accept the offer of admission by the date on the offer
- Full-time enrolment for the September to December term
Quick facts
Words you'll see- Type
- Scholarship
- Category
- Merit
- Program
- University
- When to apply
- Grade 12
- Minimum average
- 85%
- Where it applies
- Ontario
- Only at
- University of Waterloo
- The gap between what school costs and what your family is expected to pay. Bursaries and grants often use it.
- No
- Paid again in later years of your program, as long as you keep meeting its rules, such as a minimum average.
- No, one-time
- Application cycle
- 2026-27
Sources
Last checked against the official site on Oct 1, 2026.
What the official pages say
"you'll automatically be considered for the President's and Merit Scholarships"
https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/financing/scholarships(opens in a new tab)"Merit Scholarship (admission average of 85 - 89.9%)"
https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/financing/scholarships(opens in a new tab)"one-time University of Waterloo Merit Scholarship valued at $1,000"
https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/financing/scholarships(opens in a new tab)"President's Scholarship (admission average of 90 - 94.9%)"
https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/financing/scholarships(opens in a new tab)"calculated using the grades in your top six Grade 12 courses or equivalents, including the required courses"
https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/financing/scholarships(opens in a new tab)"If your early May admission average is below 85% but your final admission average in June or July is 85% or higher"
https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/financing/scholarships(opens in a new tab)"An application is required by April 1, 2027."
https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/financing/scholarships(opens in a new tab)
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