Ontario scholarships for Grade 12 students

A four-year award for Canadian citizens or permanent residents entering university for the first time in September 2027 who demonstrate character, service and leadership. Applicants must meet the school-specific academic minimum and the cycle's age rules.

1. Confirm first-time September 2027 university entry: high-school applicants need an 88% cumulative average and birth date January 1, 2005–September 1, 2011; final-year CEGEP applicants need an R score of at least 29 and birth date January 1, 2005–September 1, 2010
2. Prepare the eligible transcript or marks PDF, written responses and essays, then complete the two timed video responses introduced for the 2027 cycle
3. Arrange the online recommendation from a referee who is not a family member or friend, and ensure it is submitted before the deadline

Timing, as the provider states it: 2027 Loran Award applications and referee forms are due October 15, 2026 at noon Eastern Time

For Canadian citizens or permanent residents graduating from or finished high school, or completing first-year CEGEP, with good academic standing and unpaid humanitarian service. Supports a first degree or diploma in Canada, including eligible students already studying.

1. Check your first-degree, diploma or second-year CEGEP plans against the provider's eligibility rules
2. Describe your unpaid humanitarian work and arrange three referees
3. Submit the online form, referee forms and a transcript covering the last two school years by the deadline; continued funding requires satisfactory academics, humanitarian work and conduct

Timing, as the provider states it: 2026–27 application cycle: opens November 1, 2026; closes December 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time

Major entrance scholarships for entrepreneurial-minded Canadian citizens graduating from high school or CEGEP in Canada in 2026–27 and entering an eligible STEM program at a partner university.

1. Ask your guidance counsellor about nomination: high schools normally nominate one student, CEGEPs may nominate four, and a school with a 2026 Schulich Leader may nominate two
2. Confirm your partner-university STEM program and career intent are eligible; activism, practising clinical careers or medical research, academia and theoretical research are excluded
3. If nominated, prepare the application, transcript, video and two referee contacts in time for every reference to arrive by the application deadline

Timing, as the provider states it: School nominations are due January 27, 2027; nominee applications and references are due February 17, 2027

Federal aid for eligible full-time students with financial need. Students from Quebec, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories use their own student-aid programs instead.

1. Apply through the student-aid office for your province or territory of residence, which may differ from where you study
2. Check that your school and full-time program qualify; most private for-profit programs are excluded, with some exceptions
3. Provide the requested family-income and enrolment information; the aid application assesses eligibility automatically

Timing, as the provider states it: Apply through your province or territory for each study period

For full-time students in financial need with a dependant under 12, or over 12 with a permanent disability. Paid on top of the full-time grant.

1. Apply for full-time student aid with your province or territory
2. List your dependants in the application
3. You're assessed for the grant automatically

Timing, as the provider states it: Apply with your province or territory for each study period

For part-time students in financial need in a qualified program at a designated school. Family income must be under the published threshold.

1. Apply for part-time student aid with your province or territory
2. Check your family income against the 2026 thresholds on the official page
3. You're assessed for the grant automatically

Timing, as the provider states it: Apply with your province or territory for each study period

Covers costs for Ontario residents in priority programs (mostly health care) at listed schools in Northern, Southwestern and Eastern Ontario, in return for working in that region after graduating.

1. Check the 2026–27 list of eligible programs, schools and regions
2. Apply through your OSAP account each year
3. Sign the service agreement: six months of work in the region for every funded year

Timing, as the provider states it: Apply in your OSAP account up to 60 days before your study period ends

Grants and loans for Ontario residents who are citizens, permanent residents or protected persons. You're considered for both when you apply. From August 2026 more provincial funding comes as loans.

1. Register for an OSAP account and apply for 2026–27
2. Use the OSAP Aid Estimator to see what you might get
3. Send any documents your OSAP account asks for, and decline the loan if you don't want it

Timing, as the provider states it: 2026–2027 applications are open; apply for each study period

For Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons in their final year of Canadian high school or first-year CEGEP, nominated by their school through the National Book Award. Each school may nominate one student.

1. Ask your guidance office today about the U of T National Book Award nomination; schools submit it by October 9
2. Apply to at least one U of T undergraduate program by October 16 so you can open the scholarship application
3. If nominated, finish the National Scholarship application and reference by the October deadline

Timing, as the provider states it: School nominations due October 9, 2026; U of T admission application due October 16, 2026; National Scholarship application due October 30, 2026

Guelph's top domestic entrance awards, for students with at least a 90% admission average plus exceptional leadership and community impact. One application covers both.

1. Apply to Guelph; the scholarship application opens by December 1, 2026
2. Write about your leadership and community impact, and line up your referees
3. Submit by January 22, 2027 at 4 p.m. EST; references are due January 29

Timing, as the provider states it: Fall 2027 applications due January 22, 2027 at 4 p.m. EST; references due January 29

Need-based entrance bursaries for eligible domestic applicants; 550 were listed for Fall 2026.

1. Apply to Guelph and get your applicant portal access
2. Fill in the Entrance Financial Need Assessment Form with your family's finances
3. Submit by April 15, 2027

Timing, as the provider states it: Entrance Financial Need Assessment Form due April 15, 2027

50 awards each cycle for students with superior academics (90%+ standard), creative thinking and proven leadership. Needs a high-school nomination and the Major Admission Award application in SOLUS.

1. Ask your school about a Chancellor's nomination
2. Apply to Queen's early (about November 20) so your SOLUS login arrives in time
3. Complete the Major Admission Award application in SOLUS before the deadline

Timing, as the provider states it: The Fall 2027 Major Admission Award deadline isn't published yet; the last one was December 8, 2025

Twelve awards for secondary-school graduates with strong academics, leadership, original thought and creative ability. Separate application through AwardSpring.

1. Apply to TMU for fall entry
2. Watch TMU's scholarships page and AwardSpring for the Fall 2027 application
3. Prepare examples of leadership and original work for the application

Timing, as the provider states it: Fall 2027 dates aren't published yet; the Fall 2026 deadline was February 17, 2026

School-nominated awards for Canadian citizens and permanent residents with at least 90% across Grade 12 U/M courses. Each school can nominate up to four students.

1. Ask your school about a Western National Scholarship nomination
2. Apply to Western's main campus through OUAC; you'll need your OUAC reference number
3. Complete the online application and documents once it opens in mid-November

Timing, as the provider states it: The 2027–28 application will be available by mid-November 2026; the last deadline was February 14, 2026

Automatic for students entering Carleton for the first time from high school or CEGEP with an 85%+ admission average. Fall entry only, and offers aren't reassessed on final grades.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Carleton for fall entry; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Have an 85% admission average or higher when Carleton calculates it from your school's grades
3. Keep the renewal GPA each year to get all four payments

Timing, as the provider states it: Complete admission application and required grades by June 15

Automatic for direct-entry students from a recognized Canadian high-school curriculum with 80%+. At 95%+ it can rise to free tuition for four years when the final-average conditions are met.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Lakehead; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Bands start at 80%, 85%, 90% and 95%
3. Renew with a 90% annual average (top two tiers) or 80% (others)

Timing, as the provider states it: No application

Automatic for domestic students, based on the top six final Grade 12 U/M marks. Students at 75–79% who take a full load get a $750 Academic Access Award.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Laurentian; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Bands start at 80%, 85%, 90% and 95%
3. Stay full-time (30 credits a year) to renew

Timing, as the provider states it: No application

Automatic awards for domestic students starting September 2026 or later with an 85%+ admission average. The President's Gold Scholarship at 95%+ is renewable.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Laurier; there is no separate scholarship form
2. You need at least an 85% admission average
3. Laurier finalizes entrance scholarships in late July

Timing, as the provider states it: No application required

Automatic award for students admitted full-time from high school to Level 1 of a first degree. The average needed depends on the faculty: 90% for BTech, 92% for Business, 97% for Engineering, Computer Science and Science, 98% for Arts & Science, iBioMed and Health Sciences.

1. Apply for first-year admission to McMaster through OUAC; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Check the average your faculty needs on the official table; it ranges from 90% to 98%
3. Look for the award in your offer letter

Timing, as the provider states it: No application. Faculty averages are published for September 2027 entry.

Automatic for Canadian and international students entering from high school, based on the best six final 4U/M marks. 95%+ earns free tuition.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Nipissing; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Bands start at 80%, 85%, 90% and 95%
3. Accept your offer by June 1 and stay in your band to renew

Timing, as the provider states it: Accept your offer through OUAC by June 1

For Ontario secondary-school graduates who are citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, enrol full-time and have 85%+ across six Grade 12 U or M courses.

1. Apply for first-year admission to OCAD University; there is no separate scholarship form
2. You need at least 85% across six Grade 12 U or M courses
3. These are the latest published (2026) values; confirm for your year

Timing, as the provider states it: No separate application

About 150 of the strongest first-year direct-entry applicants, domestic and international, are named President's Scholars of Excellence on admission. No separate application.

1. Apply for first-year admission to a direct-entry U of T program; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Students are chosen on their average at the time of admission, so send strong interim marks
3. Look for the distinction in your offer; past post-secondary study makes you ineligible

Timing, as the provider states it: No scholarship application. You're considered with your admission application.

Automatic one-year award for students in the top 3% of the competitive admission average in each first-entry degree program. International students are eligible.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Queen's; there is no separate scholarship form
2. The cutoff is the top 3% of each program's applicants, so it changes every year
3. Look for the award with your admission offer

Timing, as the provider states it: No separate application

Guaranteed for first-time students at a Canadian secondary school with a final average of 86% or higher. Citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and international students can qualify.

1. Apply for first-year admission to TMU from a Canadian secondary school; there is no separate scholarship form
2. You need a final average of 86% or more
3. Meet TMU's renewal terms; combined entrance awards are capped at $15,000 a year

Timing, as the provider states it: No application for 2027–28 entry

Automatic ladder for domestic applicants starting at 80%. Renewal needs at least 80% in a full course load.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Trent; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Bands start at 80%, 85%, 90% and 95%
3. Keep 80% in a full course load to renew

Timing, as the provider states it: No application

About 90 one-year admission scholarships for eligible applicants who choose Trinity College at U of T. Consideration is automatic.

1. Apply for first-year admission to U of T's Faculty of Arts & Science and rank Trinity College in your college choices; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Strong admission marks matter most; values change with availability
3. Check your offer from Trinity for any award

Timing, as the provider states it: No separate application for most awards. You're considered when you apply.

Automatic for eligible first-time domestic post-secondary entrants with a 90%+ admission average.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Guelph; there is no separate scholarship form
2. You need at least a 90% admission average
3. Check the award in your offer; these are latest published values

Timing, as the provider states it: No separate application

Automatic for full-time students entering a direct-entry faculty or the Civil Law Section with an 85%+ admission average. Mature applicants and university transfers aren't eligible.

1. Apply for first-year admission to uOttawa; there is no separate scholarship form
2. You need at least an 85% admission average
3. Once you have your uoAccess ID, check the Online Scholarships and Bursaries tool for awards that need an application

Timing, as the provider states it: No application required

Eligible full-time students receive the scholarship automatically every year of a four-year bachelor's degree.

1. Apply for first-year admission to the University of Sudbury; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Enrol full-time in a bachelor's program
3. Confirm eligibility rules on the official (French) page

Timing, as the provider states it: Automatic

More than 100 awards for eligible University of Toronto varsity student-athletes. Continuing and transfer athletes need at least a 2.50 GPA; need-based awards usually require OSAP eligibility and are restricted to Ontario residents.

1. Incoming student-athletes should contact the relevant varsity coach; where applicable, coaches may offer recruits funding during the year for the ensuing academic year
2. Continuing or transfer athletes should confirm the 2.50 GPA and other OUA, U SPORTS and university eligibility rules
3. For need-based awards, confirm Ontario residency and OSAP-based financial need, then use the application emailed to eligible student-athletes in March by the April 30 deadline unless told otherwise

Timing, as the provider states it: Need-based applications normally close April 30; incoming-recruit timing and other procedures vary by coach and award

About 900 awards for outstanding domestic and international high-school applicants entering first-year direct-entry programs, based on the average at the time of admission. Students with past post-secondary study aren't eligible.

1. Apply for first-year admission to a direct-entry U of T program; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Keep your average as high as you can: U of T picks recipients by admission average and doesn't publish a cutoff
3. Check your offer for the award; you can't hold it if you've studied at a college or university before

Timing, as the provider states it: No scholarship application. You're considered with your admission application.

Automatic entrance scholarships for first-time, full-time students, based on the admission average from your top six Grade 12 courses, including required courses.

1. Apply for first-year admission to the University of Waterloo; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Aim for at least 85% across your top six Grade 12 courses, including the program's required courses
3. Watch for the scholarship with your admission offer and check the terms on the official page

Timing, as the provider states it: No scholarship application. You're considered when you apply for admission.

Automatic awards for students admitted to first-year, full-time study at Western's main campus straight from high school: the Scholarship of Excellence goes to 250 top averages; Distinction is for 92%+ and the Admission Scholarship for 90–91.9%.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Western's main campus through OUAC by March 1 with all documents; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Aim for 90% or more; Western doesn't round averages
3. Accept your offer by the response deadline and register full-time to keep the award

Timing, as the provider states it: Consideration is guaranteed when your OUAC application and documents are in by March 1

Automatic for students entering full-time straight from high school, based on the best six Grade 12 U/M courses. Windsor's pages differ on whether international students use this ladder, so confirm.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Windsor; there is no separate scholarship form
2. You need at least 85% across your best six U/M courses
3. Register full-time the year after high school

Timing, as the provider states it: No application; most other entrance awards close April 30

Eligible Canadian high-school applicants are assessed automatically on final admission grades, starting at 80%.

1. Apply for first-year admission to York; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Bands start at 80%, 85%, 90% and 95%
3. Renew with an 8.0 York GPA over at least 24 credits

Timing, as the provider states it: No application