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

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

Waterloo, OntarioLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1957established year
35156enrollment
Public
Partner [3 Courses]
7.8/10
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Bhaskar Das

Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated on - Jul 16, 2024

Highlights:

  • Number of Scholarships: The university offers more than 170 scholarships for international students, ranging from CAD 1,000 to CAD 40,000.
  • Application: For most scholarships, you will be considered automatically on application but there are some scholarships which require an application.
  • Co-Op Programs: For Co-Op programs, you can earn between CAD 9,000 and CAD 21,500 per four-month work term in Canada.
  • Admission Form: At Waterloo, some programs require you to complete Admission Information Form (AIF) in order to be considered for scholarships.
  • Bursaries: Up to CAD 2,000 are awarded based on financial need and are available to full-time international students after first year

The University of Waterloo scholarships are available to students from all nations for pursuing undergraduate degrees and postgraduate degrees. The university offers more than 170 scholarships for international students, ranging from CAD 1,000 to CAD 40,000. You will automatically be consider you for most of the scholarships, including our Merit and President’s scholarships which range from CAD 1,000 to CAD 5,000. However, there are some scholarships which require an application. You can also opt for Teaching Assistance and Research assistance for which you will be paid on an hourly basis. You also have the option of Co-Op programs. You can earn between CAD 9,000 and CAD 21,500 per four-month co-op work term in Canada.

With hundreds of part-time jobs on campus, you can earn up to $2,000 in each four-month school term through Waterloo's international work-study program. The Student Awards and Financial Office (SAFA) allot a total budget of 11.7 million CAD and cover the tuition fees, dormitory deposits, handbooks, transportation, and healthcare costs for international students. The selection committee accepts students based on merit, and they receive almost 1000 CAD to 10,000 CAD, which can be renewed every semester depending on satisfactory performance. There are wide range University of Waterloo scholarships for international students depending on their qualifications and course preference. At Waterloo, some programs require you to complete Admission Information Form (AIF) in order to be considered for scholarships. Even if it's not required, the AIF is highly recommended for all Waterloo programs.

University of Waterloo Scholarships Benefits for Students:

  • Up to CAD 10,000 yearly to international students pursuing undergraduate degrees with additional allowances for accommodation, travel, and textbooks.
  • Bursaries of up to CAD 2,000 are awarded based on financial need and are available to full-time international students after first year.
  • CAD 2,500 each semester for up to six terms to international students pursuing postgraduate degrees with additional research and thesis funding.
  • Connect with the graduates for cultural fests and workshops and exchange information through International Peer Community (IPC).
  • Health insurance, visa, and immigration assistance from the university.

University of Waterloo Scholarships for Undergraduate

Depending on their qualifications, resume, language proficiency, and visa documents, interested candidates may apply for the University of Waterloo scholarships. Applicants must ensure that they are meeting the eligibility criteria to be considered for the scholarships across various departments in the university. The deadlines for scholarships vary so it’s important that you begin your search early and set reminders for key deadlines. Starting early ensures you have enough time to complete your application and any additional components needed, like an essay. You may also need personal or professional references so it’s important to ask these people in advance to give them enough time to write you a reference letter.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • High school with 75% aggregate
  • Health insurance
  • Study permit for Canada
  • English Language Proficiency

Documents Required:

  • Photocopy of a valid passport.
  • Transcripts of academic records (Class 12th predicted grades)
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Language Proficiency Test scores
  • Visa and study permit
  • Offer Letter
  • National-level test certificates (if applicable)
  • Letter of Recommendation

Specific Requirements for University of Waterloo Undergraduate Scholarships:

Scholarship Name Eligibility Requirements Award
International Student Entrance Scholarships

minimum score of 90% in high school | Applicant pursuing a full-time first-year undergraduate program | Olympiad scores | Submitted Admission Information Form

Allowances up to 10,000 CAD (INR 8.28 lakhs INR).

President's Scholarships

President’s Scholarship of Distinction High school with 95%

Allowances up to 1,500 CAD (1.23 lakhs INR ) | Allowances up to 2,000 CAD (1.65 lakhs INR) | Allowances up to 1,500 CAD (1,23 lakhs INR).

President’s Scholarship High school with 90%
Merit Scholarship High school with 85%

Various entrance scholarships

Faculty of Arts Applicant pursuing an undergraduate degree in Arts from Renison University College or St. Jerome’s University. Allowances from 1000 CAD (82,678 INR) up to 10,000 CAD (8.28 lakhs INR).
Accounting and Financial Management, Sustainability, and Financial Management Excellent academic records in previous qualification | Applicants must appear for the SAF Admission Test Allowances up to 7,500 CAD (6,20 lakhs INR)
Faculty of Engineering Applicants pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree Allowances up to 10,000 CAD (82,678 INR)
Faculty of Environment High school with 85%! Applicants must demonstrate a passion for the environment. Allowances up to 7,500 CAD (6.20 lakhs INR)
Faculty of Health High school with 80% | Applicants must submit the Admission Information Form Allowances up to 3,000 CAD (2.47 lakhs INR)
Faculty of Mathematics Applicant with excellent academic record ||The applicant may provide Olympiad scores | Submit the Admission Information Form Allowances up to 10,000 CAD ( 8.28 lakhs INR) with housing and transportation.
Faculty of Science Excellent academic record. Allowances up to 10,000 CAD (8.28 lakhs INR)
Computing and Financial Management Outstanding academic record | Admission Information Form. Allowances up to 4,000 CAD (3.30 lakhs INR)

University of Waterloo Scholarships for Postgraduates

The applicants must carefully read the eligibility and documents required for postgraduate courses and keep the visa documents prepared after receiving the acceptance letter. The applicants don’t need a separate application for these scholarships as they get considered automatically. These are the eligibility criteria required for an international student pursuing postgraduate courses at the University of Waterloo:

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Bachelor’s degree with 80% aggregate
  • Health insurance
  • Study permit from Canada
  • English Language Proficiency

Documents Required:

  • Photocopy of a valid passport.
  • Transcripts of academic records
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Language Proficiency Test scores
  • Visa and study permit
  • Offer Letter
  • National-level test certificates (if applicable)
  • Letter of Recommendation

Specific Requirements for University of Waterloo Postgraduate Scholarships:

Scholarship Name Eligibility Requirements Scholarship Period Award
University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship 80% or First Division in the Bachelor’s degree. 3 Years Allowances up to 1000 CAD (82,678 INR ) per semester.
International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE) Applicants pursuing a full-time research-based Master’s Degree 4 Years Grants up to 2,500 CAD (2,07 lakhs INR) per semester.
International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA) Automatically to eligible international students registered full time in a doctoral program at the University of Waterloo. End of the third year of the doctoral program CAD 15,420 each year CAD 5,140 per term
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Available for all disciplines of academic study; available to Canadian Citizens/Permanent Residents and International students One year in duration and are non-renewable CAD 15,000 per year. The award is paid as CAD 5,000 per term for either two or three terms.
Trudeau Foundation Scholarships Applicants must submit an application through the Trudeau Foundation's application portal by the posted deadline. No institutional adjudication is involved. Duration of PhD course Varies

University of Waterloo Scholarships Application Process

The candidates must contact their professors and teachers for the transcripts and letter of recommendation before applying. The candidates can contact any consultant or the nearest Embassy of Canada to receive study and visa permits. Submit the documents carefully since you will receive the scholarship allowances after the offline verification. The candidates can follow these steps to apply for scholarships online:

  • Students applying for undergraduate programs must register on the OUAC website, and for postgraduate applications, visit the Graduation Studies website.
  • Submit the necessary documents through Quest.
  • Pay the application fee of 125 CAD (7,712 INR).
  • The applicants will receive an offer letter from the university
  • Send their queries to specialconsideration@uwaterloo.ca or gradapply@uwaterloo.ca.
  • Eligible candidates will automatically be considered for scholarships depending on the course they have applied into.

University of Waterloo Scholarships Selection Process

The admission committee has a stiff criterion for the selection of international applicants. It holds online interviews and conducts thorough document verification. The meeting with the authorities gets conducted to get insight into the personality and communication skills of the candidates. In the final selection, the documents get verified. The committee evaluates the grants based on their budget and these criteria. These are some points to remember while applying for the scholarship:

  • The applicants get scholarships based on their academic performance, letter of recommendation, statement of purpose, essays, and language proficiency test scores.
  • The scholarship prefers students with research abilities, work experience, leadership skills, and social work.
  • The students get selected based on their achievements in extracurricular activities like athletics, dance, debates, and Olympiads.
  • The admission committee shortlists students, and the final selection gets done based on the interviews.

The University of Waterloo offers courses based on the qualifications of the students. They may develop their research proposals during the program. Funds for research and thesis get added to the scholarships. Students who maintain outstanding academic records and participate in extracurricular activities get privileges. The scholarships give allowances for essential needs (housing, food, transportation, pocket money) and expenses. It prepares the students for placements and interviews during the course.

FAQs

Ques: Does Waterloo give scholarships to international students?

Ans: Yes, Uniersity of Waterloo provides scholarships for international students. Some scholarships are automatically considered while for some, you need to apply. Bursaries of up to CAD 2,000 are awarded based on financial need and are available to full-time international students after first year. There are hundreds of additional scholarships available once you're a Waterloo student.

Ques: What is the University of Waterloo merit scholarship?

Ans: Students who are admitted to the University of Waterloo with an early-May admission average of between 85 - 89.9% will receive a one-time $1,000 University of Waterloo Merit Scholarship. This is for meritious students taking admission to the university. 

Ques: What is the graduate entrance scholarship for Waterloo?

Ans: The University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship, normally valued at CAN $1,000 per term for up to three terms, is awarded to graduate students registered full time in a Master's or Doctoral program at the University of Waterloo.

Ques: Is the University of Waterloo good for Indian students?

Ans: If you are looking to pursue higher education in Canada, then the University of Waterloo is one of the top schools to study. University of Waterloo offers over 100 undergraduate programs and over 180 master's and doctoral programs to international students.

Ques: How much does it cost to go to Waterloo University?

Ans: Students from Ontario attending Waterloo have tuition ranging from $9,000 to $18,000 per year, and then costs for international students are higher, with annual tuition ranging from $48,000 to $71,000. This cost can be reduced with the help of scholarships, part time work, assistantship and others. 

Scholarships offered

Alan Plumtree Graduate Scholarship in Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering


  • International Student Eligible: Yes
  • Amount: $3,688
  • Type: Merit-Based
  • Level of Study: Doctorate
  • Number of Scholarships: 1

Cecil and Edna Cotton Scholarship


  • International Student Eligible: Yes
  • Amount: $1,844
  • Type: College-Specific
  • Level of Study: Bachelor
  • Number of Scholarships: 1

Jha Family Scholarship for Excellence in Finance


  • International Student Eligible: Yes
  • Amount: $2,500
  • Type: College-Specific
  • Level of Study: Bachelor
  • Number of Scholarships: 1

Ontario Trillium Scholarship


  • International Student Eligible: Yes
  • Amount: $28,961
  • Type: Merit-Based
  • Level of Study: Doctorate
  • Number of Scholarships: 75

Waterloo Graduate Scholarship


  • International Student Eligible: Yes
  • Amount: $737
  • Type: College-Specific
  • Level of Study: Doctorate
  • Number of Scholarships: N/A

Ontario Graduate Scholarship


  • International Student Eligible: Yes
  • Amount: $10,000
  • Type: College-Specific
  • Level of Study: Doctorate
  • Number of Scholarships: 22
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Reviews


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Engineering (12)
Mathematics (7)
Electrical and Electronics Engineering (7)
Sciences (6)
Computer Science (6)
Actuarial Science (5)
Business (4)
Computer Science and Engineering (4)
Medicine (3)
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Mechanical Engineering (1)
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Waterloo (13)
Research (10)
Science (10)
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Exam Structure (7)
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Entrance Scholarship (3)
Room Cost (3)
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55 Reviews Found

AR
8.5 /10
  • Dislikes:
  • Some courses are not deep enough for a Master's level of degree.,
  • The student accommodation is difficult to bag.,
  • There are not many scholarships for master's students unless you do a research-based program.

I wanted to do an MBA but needed more experience. This University offered a similar course in Engineering. With its high industry connections, it provided quality co-op programs that enabled me to secure a job. The overall experience is good. Connections are the major advantage of University of Waterloo. It has its very own reputation across the world. The fees, however, is insane.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 8/10

AM
7.5 /10
  • Dislikes:
  • The Arts segment is not as focused on as CS/engineering,
  • Infrastructure of the university could be better.,
  • Extracurriculars are not that great.

I chose this university because of one of the main factor which is their coop program (one term study, next term internship, and so on). This gives me a lot of practical work experience. My overall experience at the University of Waterloo has been great. The students are mostly smart and helpful and make for good study partners. There is a lot of help available for those who require it, and the campus culture is good.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 7/10
accomodation: 7/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 6/10

Campus life at the University is vibrant and diverse offering a rich tapestry of experiences both inside & outside the classroom. The university boasts modern and well-equipped infrastructure, including lecture halls, research facilities, and libraries that cater to our academic needs. The campus buzzes with a lot of events and extracurricular activities throughout the year. These range from cultural festivals and arts performances to sports competitions and social gatherings, ensuring there's something for everyone to participate in and enjoy.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 9/10

Campus life at the University is vibrant and diverse offering a rich tapestry of experiences both inside & outside the classroom. The university boasts modern and well-equipped infrastructure, including lecture halls, research facilities, and libraries that cater to our academic needs. The campus buzzes with a lot of events and extracurricular activities throughout the year. These range from cultural festivals and arts performances to sports competitions and social gatherings, ensuring there's something for everyone to participate in and enjoy.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 9/10

Campus life at the University is vibrant and diverse offering a rich tapestry of experiences both inside & outside the classroom. The university boasts modern and well-equipped infrastructure, including lecture halls, research facilities, and libraries that cater to our academic needs. The campus buzzes with a lot of events and extracurricular activities throughout the year. These range from cultural festivals and arts performances to sports competitions and social gatherings, ensuring there's something for everyone to participate in and enjoy.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 9/10

Campus life at the University is vibrant and diverse offering a rich tapestry of experiences both inside & outside the classroom. The university boasts modern and well-equipped infrastructure, including lecture halls, research facilities, and libraries that cater to our academic needs. The campus buzzes with a lot of events and extracurricular activities throughout the year. These range from cultural festivals and arts performances to sports competitions and social gatherings, ensuring there's something for everyone to participate in and enjoy.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 9/10

AK
  • Dislikes:
  • Study terms can be sometimes be stressful, especially, when preparing for mid-terms and finals, as the exam week might not have many study leaves, but if the student prepares well ahead in time, I think this can be overcome.

Scholarship:

Yes, sorry cannot disclose.

I chose University of Waterloo for its Computer Science faculty, being the best in North America. I also received offer from my desired program (Masters with thesis), as I wanted to delve deeper into research. University of Waterloo is also reputable in the industry as it produces bright technological savvy minds, and I aspired to be one. Life at UW will be memorable if you know how to balance fun and studies together. The town of Waterloo is a student friendly place, affordable food options, and parks nearby, mostly, everything is at a walking distance from campus, if not our bus ride is also free in Waterloo.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 6/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 10/10

BC
9.3 /10
  • Dislikes:
  • Getting a coop / full time job is not that easy, the university helps with the co op program through the waterlooworks portal but not that much for full time jobs,
  • Waterloo being far from Toronto has a slight location disadvantage.

Scholarship:

Yes I got 2500 CAD.

I chose this university as the coop program was a plus since it helps to gain relevant Canadian experience and helps in recovering some fees. Overall the experience is good, it's what you make of it. There is a lot to learn, experiences to have. This degree can change the way you think.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 7/10
extracurricular: 10/10

  • Dislikes:
  • I didn't like how fast paced the education is along with co-op, as students in the co-op program in general face a lot of issues with not getting a break during the entire length of their program.

Scholarship:

I received the presidential scholarship which is $2,000/year.

I chose this university as it has a really competitive math program that offers me flexibility to study math, CS, and finance altogether. I have had a great time with the in-depth academics and excellent faculty here. The teaching pattern is also really thought provoking which makes me want to learn more. And the location of the university is also nice, which makes it a great experience overall.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 7/10

S
7.7 /10

University of Waterloo is ranked #192 in Best Global Universities. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. This is the best university for me . So that I choose this institute.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 9/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 9/10

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