Written by Lindsay (she/her), student
Worried about tuition costs? We’ve got you covered! Scholarships are a great way to help pay for your education.
Most universities offer scholarships for new students and students in their upper years. At Waterloo, we offer a variety of entrance scholarships and you’re automatically considered for a ton of them, so you don’t even need to apply!
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Universities often have their own scholarship databases. At Waterloo, you can explore the entrance awards we have available. Once you’re enrolled, the undergraduate awards database is an excellent resource for ongoing scholarships based on athletics, financial need, volunteer participation, and leadership.
This website lists over 99,000 awards! You can create a profile to match scholarships to your interests and save them on your dashboard. Some scholarships require applications, essays, or references, so be sure to read the criteria carefully. Scholarships vary widely in value, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. One standout is the TD Scholarships for Community Leadership, which awards $70,000 over four years.
This is another helpful resource, allowing you to filter scholarships by university, name, amount, and deadline. Waterloo lists many scholarships here, including those for both first-year and upper-year students.
Don’t forget about scholarships offered by cultural organizations or community groups. These can be less competitive and tailored to specific backgrounds or affiliations, so it’s worth exploring options relevant to your heritage or community involvement.
If you or your parents have a job, check to see if your employers offer scholarships. For example, McDonald’s has a scholarship program to support its employees’ education. It never hurts to ask!
Deadlines vary, so it’s crucial to begin your search early and set reminders for key dates. Give yourself plenty of time to complete your application and any additional components, like essays or reference letters.
When filling out applications, be specific and detailed. Don’t be shy — brag about your accomplishments! Provide concrete examples that highlight your strengths and achievements. The more specific you are, the stronger your application will be.
Scholarships that are worth less often have less competition. Similarly, scholarships that require more work like essays or detailed applications tend to attract fewer applicants. Don’t shy away from these opportunities!
Finding and applying for scholarships can be time-consuming. Set aside regular time each week to work on applications. The effort you put in can really pay off!
In high school, I treated scholarships like a part time job. Every weekend I would pick a different scholarship to apply to and it really paid off for me. I ended up being able to fund my first year of university because of it!
Erin, student
Follow these tips to help you start finding and applying for scholarships. Good luck!
Learn about all the costs of an undergraduate degree so you can be better prepared for how much university costs.
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The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
