The University of Ottawa offers a generous scholarship and bursary program to help students finance their education. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements, while bursaries are awarded based on financial need. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of scholarships and bursaries available at the University of Ottawa, and how to apply for them.
Undergraduate Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of Ottawa offers a wide range of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries. Some of the most popular scholarships include:
- University of Ottawa Admission Scholarship: This scholarship provides between $1,000 and $3,000 to eligible full-time students with an average of 85% to 100% who are studying in a direct-entry faculty or in the Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section. No application is required for this scholarship; all eligible students are automatically considered for this award.
- French Studies Bursary: This bursary provides $4,000 ($1,000 per year) to full-time students enrolled in a direct-entry faculty or in the Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section, who are taking at least 3 courses (9 units) each term taught in French, or 2 courses (6 units) taught in French. This bursary can be renewed for the three following years provided the student maintains full-time enrolment in a direct-entry faculty or in the Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section, and maintains a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 5.50 at the end of each academic year.
- Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second Language: This bursary program was created to promote bilingualism among English-speaking Canadians by encouraging them to learn French. The bursary provides $3,000 to eligible students who meet the criteria, including having English as their first Canadian official language spoken, completing secondary school in an English-language institution, and being enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program in a direct-entry faculty or in the Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section, in a program taught in French or in the French Immersion Stream.
- Professional Training Scholarship: This scholarship is automatically awarded upon admission to some students who have an excellent academic record and are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program in the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, the Faculty of Education, or the Faculty of Medicine, MD and PharmD programs. No application is required for this scholarship; all eligible students are automatically considered for this award.
- Admission Contests: Francophone and French-immersion students can participate in a number of contests to win admission awards. Some of the contests are offered through French for the Future, Canadian Parents for French, or Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne. A full list of available contests is available through the Online Scholarships and Bursaries tool.
- Prestigious Admission Scholarships: The University of Ottawa offers a number of prestigious admission scholarships, including the Schulich Leader Scholarship, the Indigenous Leadership Scholarship, and the Loran Award. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and community involvement. The application process for these scholarships is competitive, and students are encouraged to apply early. You can be awarded as high as $100,000 to $120,000.
Faculty Admission Scholarships
The University of Ottawa offers a number of faculty-specific admission scholarships to students who demonstrate academic excellence in their chosen field of study. Some of the faculty admission scholarships include:
- Faculty of Arts Dean’s Merit Scholarship: This scholarship awards $4,000 ($1,000 per year) to 10 students who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at the Faculty of Arts and have a minimum admission average of 90%.
- Faculty of Engineering Dean’s Merit Scholarship: This scholarship awards $4,000 or $5,000 to students who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at the Faculty of Engineering and have an admission average of 90% or higher.
- Faculty of Engineering Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship awards $2,000 to seven female students who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at the Faculty of Engineering and have a minimum admission average of 80%.
- Faculty of Science Undergraduate Research Scholarship: This scholarship awards $11,500 to students who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at the Faculty of Science and have a minimum admission average of 92%. The scholarship includes two work terms with a research group at the Faculty of Science or the Faculty of Medicine.
- Faculty of Social Sciences Dean’s Excellence Award: This scholarship awards $4,000 to the best students who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at the Faculty of Social Sciences and have a minimum admission average of 92%.
- Faculty of Social Sciences Jean Chrétien Scholarship: This scholarship awards $5,000 to the best students who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program in political science or public administration at the Faculty of Social Sciences and have a minimum admission average of 92%.
Scholarships for International Students
The University of Ottawa offers a number of scholarships and bursaries for international students. Some of the scholarships for international students include:
- Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship: This scholarship is available to international Francophone and Francophile students who are enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program given in French or in the French Immersion Stream. The scholarship reduces tuition fees considerably.
- International English Entrance Scholarship: This scholarship is available to international students who are newly admitted in the fall term or thereafter in an eligible undergraduate program offered in English. The scholarship ranges from $2,250 to $7,500 per term, depending on the candidate’s country of origin and the faculty offering the program.
- International English Excellence Scholarship: This scholarship is available to top international students who are newly admitted in the fall term or thereafter and enrol in an eligible undergraduate program offered in English. The scholarship ranges from $2,500 to $12,500 per term, depending on the candidate’s country of origin and the faculty offering the program.
- Faculty of Arts Dean’s Merit Scholarship: This scholarship awards $4,000 ($1,000 per year) to 10 international students who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at the Faculty of Arts and have a minimum admission average of 90%.
- Faculty of Engineering Dean’s Merit Scholarship: This scholarship awards $4,000 or $5,000 to international students who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at the Faculty of Engineering and have an admission average of 90% or higher.
- Education Bursary for International Students with Disabilities: This bursary is available to international students with a permanent disability or a permanent medical condition that prevents them from taking more than 12 units per term. The bursary provides variable funding to eligible students.
How to Apply
Students can apply for scholarships and bursaries as soon as they have applied to the University of Ottawa and have received their uoAccess ID and password. The application process is simple and straightforward. Students can apply for scholarships and bursaries using the online tool, and they will be automatically considered for any awards they are eligible for.
The University of Ottawa offers a wide range of scholarships and bursaries to help students finance their education. From undergraduate admission scholarships to faculty-specific awards and scholarships for international students, there are many opportunities for students to receive financial support. By using the online scholarship and bursary tool, students can easily search for and apply for awards they are eligible for. With the generous financial aid available at the University of Ottawa, students can focus on their academic goals and achieve success in their studies.
