Researching Scholarships and Financial Assistance

The Western Guarantee

It’s not always easy to see how you’re going to be able to afford a post-secondary education. There are, though, many and varied means by which you can help yourself fund many, if not all, of your future expenses. At Western, we value achievement, and more importantly, we value you. The Western experience – Canada’s best student experience – encompasses not just academic quality and a rich social and cultural environment, but also your financial well-being.

To recognize your academic accomplishments, we will offer you an admission scholarship that can range in value from $1,000 for one year to $10,000 ($2,500 each year for four years). Western will also provide sufficient financial aid to cover your assessed educational needs including books, tuition, and mandatory fees, if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and if these needs are not fully met by OSAP or another Canadian federal or provincial loan program. With more than $25 million in financial aid available to our students, here are four of the most popular avenues worth exploring. Check out the links for more possibilities.

1. Scholarships (guaranteed – no application necessary!) – If you enter Western as a full-time student from high school with an average of 88% or higher, you are automatically eligible for one of our Admission Scholarships. Last year, almost half of our entering students qualified. Western’s Admission Scholarships are unlimited and automatically awarded upon admission. No application is required to be considered for these scholarships.

   Scholarships (requiring application/nomination) – Our National Scholarships are designed to recognize all-round excellence. They are awarded on the basis of outstanding academic performance to candidates who demonstrate ability for creative and innovative thought and a passion for the pursuit of learning. National Scholarships also recognize exceptional achievement in extracurricular activities such as the arts and athletics. A special emphasis is placed on a candidate's commitment to community service through ongoing contributions to school and community life.

   In-Course Scholarships – Once you get to Western, more help is available. We have in place a comprehensive scholarship and award program that recognizes student achievement. In-Course Scholarship and Award eligibility is determined during the academic year based on the student's previous academic performance and current registration.
   http://registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/scholarships_awards/index.html

   Schulich Leader Scholarships are undergraduate scholarships in support of students pursuing studies in STEM subjects: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Western University is one of the 20 participating university partners of the Schulich Leader Scholarship. Western University will be selecting 2 Schulich Leaders for the 2015-16 academic year. All Canadian high schools and secondary schools (not including Québec) may submit one Schulich Leader Nominee each. Cégeps (in Québec) may select two nominees each. Schulich Leader Nominees are selected by their individual schools. For more information on the Schulich Leader Scholarships please visit:
   http://schulichleaders.com/

2. Bursaries – These are non-repayable grants that are awarded primarily on the basis of financial need. Bursaries supplement students’ major sources of funding such as OSAP, bank loans/lines of credit and parental/spousal contributions. Financial need is determined in a manner similar to the Canada and Ontario Student Loans assessment. It involves assessing the costs of the program that students are registered in or are applying for, and any available resources.
   http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/bursaries.html
3. Student Loans –The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is for full-time university students who have a demonstrated financial need. OSAP is intended to supplement student and family resources.
   http://registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/osap_government_loans/index.html

   Also: If you’ve already applied for OSAP, you’re automatically considered for a 30% off Ontario Tuition Grant. If you don’t qualify for OSAP you could still be eligible for the grant. See details by clicking:
   http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/osap_government_loans/30_off_ontario_tuition_grant.html

4. Work Study, Internships, Co-op, Part-Time Employment – Western’s Work Study program offers an opportunity for students to work part-time on campus in jobs that accommodate their studies. The Work Study program is designed to support students in financial need with a regular source of income that does not add to their debt load, offer training and experience that will assist them in further studies and eventual entrance into the workforce, and to help staff and faculty. Financial need is determined in a manner similar to the Canada and Ontario Student Loans assessment. Also check out the many opportunities to gain practical experience and financial reward through internships, co-op and part-time work on- or off-campus!