University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship 2027: Undergraduate Study in Canada

• Award: $5,000 CAD
• Academic Level: Undergraduate 
• Application: Automatic consideration
• Location: Canada

The University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship

The University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship is unlike almost any other major award in Canada. There is no essay. No nomination form. No separate portal. If you’re admitted to Waterloo with the right grades, the scholarship is simply yours.

You’ll automatically be considered for the President’s and Merit Scholarships if you’re admitted to a full-time, first-year degree program and you’re beginning university for the first time. That means your admission application is your scholarship application.

It’s open to all nationalities. Whether you’re a Canadian student or an international applicant, you are eligible. There is no citizenship restriction on the President’s Scholarship.

If you’re comparing this with other major Canadian entrance awards, the University of Alberta international entrance scholarships offer a similar automatic-consideration model for some awards, with values reaching up to $120,000. 

Who Qualifies for the Scholarship?

To receive the President’s Scholarship for the 2027 cycle, you must meet all of the criteria highlighted below:

1. Be admitted to a full-time, first-year degree program at the University of Waterloo, beginning university or college for the first time.
2. Achieve an early-May admission average of 90 or higher This average is calculated using your top six Grade 12 courses or equivalents, including the required courses for the program(s) to which you’ve applied.
3. Accept your Offer of Admission by the date specified on the offer.
4. Remain enrolled at Waterloo in full-time degree studies for the entire term.

There is no separate scholarship application. You are automatically considered when you apply for admission. The scholarship is confirmed in early May based on your admission average.

What the Scholarship Offers

What the University of Waterloo scholarship offers vary depending the type of the scholarship you’re awarded.

• President’s Scholarship: $2,000 CAD one-time entrance scholarship
• President’s Scholarship of Distinction: $2,000 entrance scholarship + $1,500 International Experience Award + $1,500 Research Award
• International Experience Award: Funded international study or work experience, claimable in upper years
• Research Award: Funded on-campus research position with a Waterloo professor or a research-based co-op position, claimable in upper years

What the Distinction tier really means: The $1,500 Research Award isn’t just money — it’s an invitation to work directly with a Waterloo professor as a research assistant. For students planning graduate school, that experience is invaluable. The $1,500 International Experience Award similarly funds a study or work term abroad, giving you global exposure that employers and graduate programs value.

 

How to Apply for University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship

The 2027 application cycle is not yet open. There is no separate scholarship application — you are automatically considered when you apply for admission. Admission applications for Fall 2027 will open in late 2026, with scholarship confirmation in early May 2027.

• Official Entrance Scholarships Page: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/financing/scholarships
• Undergraduate Admission Application: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/apply

Step-by-Step Process

1. Apply for admission to a full-time, first-year undergraduate degree program at the University of Waterloo for Fall 2027.
2. Focus on your Grade 12 grades. Your admission average — calculated from your top six courses, including required courses — determines which scholarship tier you qualify for.
3. Accept your Offer of Admission by the deadline specified in your offer.
4. Wait for notification in mid-May. Your scholarship information will appear under the “Scholarships and financial aid” tab in the Waterloo applicant portal.
5. Confirm your enrolment for the full September–December term. The scholarship is confirmed once your grades are verified.
6. Receive your funds in late July. You’ll get an email with information about how to use the award to pay your tuition and fees.

Because the scholarship is entirely grade-based, your top priority should be maximizing your admission average. Waterloo calculates your average using your top six Grade 12 courses, including the required courses for your chosen program. 

If you’re also exploring graduate-level funding for the future, the University of Laval Excellence Scholarship Program offers $20,000–$30,000 for master’s and doctoral students with a similarly streamlined application model. 

Other Top Canadian Scholarships for International Students

Waterloo’s President’s Scholarship is one of the most accessible entrance awards in Canada, but it’s not the only one worth pursuing:

• For a larger renewable entrance award: The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship offers $20,000 per year renewable for up to four years. Unlike Waterloo’s automatic award, Calgary’s requires a Prestige Awards application and a 90%+ average, but the renewable value is significantly higher.

• For a full-ride undergraduate experience: The York University President’s International Scholarship of Excellence offers $45,000 per year — $180,000 over four years — with 20 awards annually. Like Waterloo’s Distinction tier, it rewards leadership and academic excellence, but requires a nomination and a separate application.

• For graduate-level funding: The McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University offer full tuition, a monthly living stipend, and a leadership development program for master’s and professional degree students.

Reviewing these programs can help you build a long-term scholarship strategy — whether you’re entering undergraduate studies now or planning for graduate school later.

 

FAQs on University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship

Do I need to apply for the President’s Scholarship separately?
No. You are automatically considered when you’re admitted to a full-time, first-year degree program at Waterloo. There is no separate application form.

What admission average do I need?
You need an early-May admission average of 90–94.9% for the President’s Scholarship, or 95% or higher for the President’s Scholarship of Distinction. The average is calculated from your top six Grade 12 courses, including required courses.

Are international students eligible?
Yes. The President’s Scholarship is open to all nationalities — there is no citizenship restriction.

Can I receive other scholarships at the same time?
Yes. You can receive a President’s or Merit Scholarship alongside scholarships offered by your faculty or University College. The exception is St. Jerome’s scholarships, which are equivalent to the President’s or Merit Scholarship — you’ll receive one or the other, not both.

What happens if I drop below full-time status?
You must remain enrolled in full-time degree studies for the entire September to December term to receive the full value of the scholarship. Dropping to part-time status may disqualify you.

When will I be notified?
Scholarship information will appear in your Waterloo applicant portal in mid-May. You’ll receive an email in late July with instructions on how to use the award.

Can I defer the scholarship if I take a gap year?
The scholarship is tied to your admission offer for the September term. Deferral policies vary — contact Waterloo’s Student Awards & Financial Aid office for specific guidance.

 

Grab this Opportunity with Open Arms

The University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship is one of the most straightforward major entrance awards in Canada. There is no essay to write, no nomination to secure, no portal to navigate. Your grades — and your admission application — do all the work.

But that simplicity is exactly why you need to be strategic. The difference between the $2,000 President’s Scholarship and the up-to-$5,000 President’s Scholarship of Distinction is a single percentage point on your admission average. That one point unlocks the International Experience Award and the Research Award — funded opportunities that can shape your entire undergraduate experience.

The 2027 cycle opens with admission applications in late 2026. Scholarship confirmation happens in early May 2027. The students who receive the Distinction tier are the ones who planned their Grade 12 courses strategically, aimed for the 95% threshold, and accepted their offers on time.

Your next steps:

1. Apply for admission to the University of Waterloo for Fall 2027.
2. Review your top six Grade 12 courses and identify where you can strengthen your average.
3. Aim for the 95% threshold to unlock the Distinction tier.
4. Accept your Offer of Admission by the deadline.
5. Check your applicant portal in mid-May for scholarship confirmation.
6. Enrole full-time for the September–December term to secure the full value.