Scholarships at University of Waterloo

Eligible University of Waterloo graduate students who take a parental leave (including adoption) may apply for the Graduate Student Parental Leave Bursary. Limited funding is available for up to eight months (two terms). Together with any other continuing support, the bursary is intended to maintain income at about 95% of the average income received during the three previous academic terms, less tuition. The maximum value is $5,000 for the first term and $3,000 for the second term. Students should apply through the Graduate Student Parental Leave Bursary process on Waterloo's graduate funding site.

Indigenous undergraduate or graduate University of Waterloo students affiliated with Renison University College (enrolled in a Renison degree program or living in Renison residence) who demonstrate financial need may apply. Applicants must complete the University of Waterloo Indigenous Verification process confirming First Nations (status or non-status), Métis, or Inuit citizenship or membership. Self-identification alone is not sufficient. Preference is given to students in Renison's Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, or Bachelor of Arts in Social Development Studies. Three awards of $2,000 are available. Apply through the common application. Established by Renison's Truth and Reconciliation Committee, the award recognizes the often unseen labour Indigenous students undertake in campus and community life.

Full-time Faculty of Arts undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo who wish to participate in an extracurricular or course-tied experiential activity not covered by tuition, with a minimum 70% cumulative average, may apply. Awards of varying size up to $1,500 are available. Selection is based on academic achievement and how the activity will benefit knowledge acquisition, professional development, or in-class learning. Submit an application form to the Arts Undergraduate Office. Applications are accepted throughout the year. The fund was established by Professor Emeritus Peter Woolstencroft.

Full-time second-, third-, or fourth-year students in a regular or co-op actuarial science program with good academic standing may apply for the Franklin B. Dana Memorial Bursary. Bursaries range from $500 to $1,200. Submit a bursary application form by the end of the first month of registration for each term. Eligible students must have lived in Ontario for 12 months before starting post-secondary study.

Research-based Faculty of Environment graduate students, including course-based students with a research component, may apply before presenting their own research at an in-person academic conference.

Full-time University of Waterloo undergraduate or graduate students in the School of Planning with demonstrated financial need and a minimum 70% major average may be considered for this bursary. The amount varies. A portion of the fund is restricted to students who lived in Ontario for 12 months before starting post-secondary education. Apply through Quest. The bursary honours Jack Young, the first Chair of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.

Open to University of Waterloo undergraduate students who are verified Métis citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario, in good academic standing, with demonstrated financial need. Bursary amounts vary. Complete the UW bursary application in Quest and the MNO citizenship verification application (consent to a citizenship verification check is required).

University of Waterloo varsity team members in good academic standing (minimum 70% in the prior year) who demonstrate financial need and resided in Ontario for 12 months before beginning post-secondary education may apply. One or more awards of varying value are available. Apply through the Quest bursary application.

University of Waterloo graduate and undergraduate students experiencing financial difficulties. Bursary amounts vary; one award is available from this fund. Apply through the bursary application in Quest each term. One application per term covers all available bursary funds. Established by the Student Life Centre Management Board (formerly the Campus Centre Board).