Ontario grants, bursaries and scholarships for specific groups

Covers direct costs for First Nations students in approved resource development programs at Ontario public colleges, universities or Indigenous Institutes. You must be a member of, or connected to, a First Nations community in Ontario.

1. Check with your school that your program is an approved resource development program
2. Ask the financial aid office for the application
3. You don't need to apply for OSAP to be considered

Timing, as the provider states it: Set by your school's financial aid office

Pays for disability-related educational services and equipment for OSAP students with a verified permanent, persistent or prolonged disability. One application also covers the federal services and equipment grant.

1. Apply for OSAP and self-identify your disability with the required documents
2. Work with your school's accessibility office on the services and equipment you need
3. Submit the BSWD/CSG-DSE application; buy equipment only after approval

Timing, as the provider states it: Apply through your school's financial aid office during your study period

For students with financial need whose parents never took post-secondary studies anywhere, in a first-entry undergraduate program at a publicly assisted Ontario college or university. Schools may add rules.

1. Ask your school's financial aid office for its Ontario First Generation Bursary application
2. Confirm neither parent ever enrolled in post-secondary studies
3. Submit the school's form; you don't need to apply for OSAP first

Timing, as the provider states it: Set by your school's financial aid office

For self-identified First Nations, Métis and Inuit students with financial need at a publicly assisted Ontario college or university or a recognized Indigenous Institute.

1. Ask your school's financial aid office for its Indigenous Student Bursary application
2. Sign the statement confirming you're a First Nations, Métis or Inuit student
3. Submit separately even if you've applied for OSAP

Timing, as the provider states it: Set by your school's financial aid office

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

Extra full-time OSAP funding for people aged 18 to 26 who are in or were in the care of an Ontario Children's Aid Society, including customary care.

1. Apply for full-time OSAP
2. Provide the supporting documents OSAP asks for to confirm your time in care
3. Ask your financial aid office about the review if you're 18 to 22

Timing, as the provider states it: Considered automatically with your full-time OSAP application

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

Ten renewable awards for students from under-represented groups, including Black and Indigenous students, who lead on racial justice or equity work. Racialized, 2SLGBTQ+ and disabled students can also apply.

1. Apply to a first-entry Queen's program for September 2027
2. Self-identify on the application; Indigenous applicants also go through the Indigenous Students Admission Pathway
3. Show your leadership in racial justice or equity work at school or in your community

Timing, as the provider states it: Application due February 15, 2027

One award for a Black student entering McMaster Engineering who shows leadership or extracurricular involvement.

1. Activate your MacID and complete the AwardSpring common application
2. Apply for Faculty of Engineering entrance awards; one application covers every award you qualify for
3. Give two referees' details so their letters arrive by February 21, 2027

Timing, as the provider states it: AwardSpring application due February 19, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET; reference letters by February 21, 2027

One award for a woman entering McMaster Engineering with at least 90%, leadership and activities or volunteering.

1. Activate your MacID and complete the AwardSpring common application
2. Apply for Faculty of Engineering entrance awards; one application covers every award you qualify for
3. Give two referees' details so their letters arrive by February 21, 2027

Timing, as the provider states it: AwardSpring application due February 19, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET; reference letters by February 21, 2027

One award for a woman entering McMaster Engineering with at least 90%, leadership and community involvement.

1. Activate your MacID and complete the AwardSpring common application
2. Apply for Faculty of Engineering entrance awards; one application covers every award you qualify for
3. Give two referees' details so their letters arrive by February 21, 2027

Timing, as the provider states it: AwardSpring application due February 19, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET; reference letters by February 21, 2027

For Black students entering McMaster Engineering who lead or take part in the Afro-Canadian or wider Canadian community.

1. Activate your MacID and complete the AwardSpring common application
2. Apply for Faculty of Engineering entrance awards; one application covers every award you qualify for
3. Give two referees' details so their letters arrive by February 21, 2027

Timing, as the provider states it: AwardSpring application due February 19, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET; reference letters by February 21, 2027

Two awards for women entering McMaster Engineering with at least 90%, leadership and community involvement. Each comes with a paid summer research award.

1. Activate your MacID and complete the AwardSpring common application
2. Apply for Faculty of Engineering entrance awards; one application covers every award you qualify for
3. Give two referees' details so their letters arrive by February 21, 2027

Timing, as the provider states it: AwardSpring application due February 19, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET; reference letters by February 21, 2027

Entrance scholarships for students of African, African American, Afro-Latine, Black Canadian, Caribbean or other African descent. You apply in the applicant portal.

1. Apply to Waterloo and log in to your applicant portal
2. Open the Awards and financial aid tab
3. Complete the scholarship application by April 15

Timing, as the provider states it: Apply in the applicant portal by April 15

Entrance scholarships for First Nations (Status or Non-Status), Inuit and Métis students. You apply in the applicant portal.

1. Apply to Waterloo and log in to your applicant portal
2. Open the Awards and financial aid tab
3. Complete the scholarship application by April 15

Timing, as the provider states it: Apply in the applicant portal by April 15

For Black or Indigenous Ontario residents entering a direct-entry York program from high school with at least 75% and financial need.

1. Apply to York and open your MyFile account
2. Complete the award application in MyFile and show financial need
3. Keep a 6.0 GPA to renew

Timing, as the provider states it: York's award application in MyFile closed April 1 for fall 2026 entry. The fall 2027 date isn't posted yet

For first-generation Ontario residents entering a direct-entry York program from high school with at least 75% and financial need.

1. Apply to York and open your MyFile account
2. Complete the award application in MyFile and show financial need
3. Keep good standing and continued need to renew

Timing, as the provider states it: York's award application in MyFile closed April 1 for fall 2026 entry. The fall 2027 date isn't posted yet

For self-identified Black students applying to a Level 1 program at McMaster. A variable number of awards each year.

1. Apply to McMaster and get your MacID so you can open AwardSpring
2. Complete the Entrance Awards by Application form and self-identify as a Black student
3. Submit before the February AwardSpring deadline; the Engineering form also covers awards for Black engineering students

Timing, as the provider states it: Apply through Entrance Awards by Application in AwardSpring. The last deadline was February 19, 2026; the 2027 date isn't posted yet.

A minimum aid amount for first-generation students admitted from high school who get a government student loan and say so on Western's admission bursary application.

1. Apply to Western's main campus directly from high school
2. Apply for government student aid such as OSAP
3. Submit Western's admission bursary application and self-identify as first generation

Timing, as the provider states it: The 2026-27 admission bursary deadline has passed. The next date isn't posted yet

For outstanding final-year high-school students who self-identify as Black on U of T's Awards Profile. The profile is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons.

1. Apply to U of T, then open the Awards Profile in the Join U of T or Engineering Applicant Portal
2. Self-identify as a Black student on the Awards Profile and describe your leadership and involvement
3. Submit the profile before the early-February deadline; it also puts you in line for need-based and leadership awards

Timing, as the provider states it: Awards Profile is normally due in early February; the 2027 date isn't posted yet

For status and non-status Indigenous Ontario residents entering a York undergraduate program with financial need.

1. Apply to York and open your MyFile account
2. Complete the bursary application in MyFile and show financial need
3. Keep a 5.00 GPA on at least 18 credits to renew

Timing, as the provider states it: York's award application in MyFile closed April 1 for fall 2026 entry. The fall 2027 date isn't posted yet

Several entrance awards for women entering Waterloo Engineering, such as the Yip Family Women in Engineering, Kothari Family FIRST Alumni and Ted Rogers Legacy scholarships.

1. Apply to a Waterloo Engineering program and complete the Admission Information Form
2. Search the awards directory for women in engineering awards that need an application
3. Apply in your applicant portal by each award's date

Timing, as the provider states it: Most use your admission average and Admission Information Form; some need an application in Waterloo's awards directory

For Indigenous students entering first year at Western straight from high school, based on overall academic performance.

1. Apply to Western's main campus straight from high school
2. Complete Western's Indigenous Student Self-ID
3. Register full-time and keep an 80% average to renew

Timing, as the provider states it: Complete Western's Indigenous Student Self-ID

For Black students entering first year at Western straight from high school, chosen by top admission average. Domestic and international students are eligible.

1. Apply to Western's main campus straight from high school
2. Complete Western's Black Student Self-ID form by June 30
3. Keep an 80% average on a full-time load to renew each year

Timing, as the provider states it: Complete the Black Student Self-ID form by June 30

Western covers tuition for up to four years for five new students a year who left extended society care without being adopted and are applying to a first-entry program at the main campus.

1. Apply to any first-entry program at Western's main campus through OUAC
2. Self-identify on Western's Extended Society Care Youth Form by April 30
3. Apply for OSAP (or your province's aid) with the Children's Aid verification form

Timing, as the provider states it: Fill in the Extended Society Care Youth Form by April 30

For international students who require a study permit, are in their final year of secondary school in 2026–27 or graduated no earlier than June 2026, and will begin first-entry undergraduate study at the University of Toronto in September 2027. Current post-secondary students and January 2027 starters are not eligible.

1. Ask your guidance counsellor, principal or school head about nomination; each school may nominate one student
2. Apply to at least one U of T undergraduate program by the Pearson admission deadline; the scholarship would be restricted to your top program choice when decisions are made
3. After nomination and the admission application, use the private Pearson link to submit the scholarship application and documents without generative AI-created content, which the provider states will lead to disqualification

Timing, as the provider states it: 2027 entry: school nomination due October 9, 2026; U of T admission application due October 16, 2026; scholarship application and documents due November 6, 2026

York's competitive award for top international applicants, with a separate application and school nomination.

1. Apply to York for fall 2027 as an international student
2. Ask your school to submit a nomination by February 4, 2027
3. Complete York's incoming-awards application between November 1 and January 27

Timing, as the provider states it: 2027 application opens November 1, 2026 and closes January 27, 2027; nominations due February 4, 2027

Competitive one-time award for international students, based on the admission-offer average from 70% up. Guelph also lists renewable University and Dean's International Scholarships.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Guelph as an international student; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Tiers start at 70%, 85%, 90% and 95% (Fall 2026)
3. Fall 2026 values are the latest; confirm Fall 2027 on the official page

Timing, as the provider states it: No separate application

Automatic 2026–27 awards for international students with a 75%+ Canadian-equivalent average or IB 28+.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Lakehead as an international student; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Tiers start at 75%, 80% and 90% (or IB 28, 30 and 35)
3. Keep a 90% average to hold the top tier

Timing, as the provider states it: No application

For international undergraduates without a prior degree, starting at an 80% admission average.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Laurentian as an international student; there is no separate scholarship form
2. You need at least 80%; 90%+ earns the higher tier
3. Keep an 80% average and 30 credits a year to renew

Timing, as the provider states it: No application

Automatic awards for international students starting September 2026 or later.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Laurier as an international student; there is no separate scholarship form
2. The higher award needs a 95% admission average
3. Confirm the award amount in your offer

Timing, as the provider states it: No application required

Renewable four-year awards for students paying international tuition in Arts and Science, Engineering, Commerce or Health Sciences. Considered automatically.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Queen's as an international-fee student; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Values differ by faculty: $10,000–$25,000 in Arts and Science and Engineering
3. Check the renewal rules for your faculty in your award terms

Timing, as the provider states it: No separate application

Automatic ladder for international applicants starting at 80%.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Trent as an international student; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Bands start at 80%, 85%, 90% and 95%
3. These are the latest published values; confirm for your intake

Timing, as the provider states it: No application

Automatic for international-fee students in an approved French program, or an English program with the French Immersion Stream, taking at least three courses in French each term.

1. Apply for first-year admission to an approved French or French Immersion program at uOttawa; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Plan to take at least nine units taught in French every term
3. Stay full-time; the award can run for up to 12 payments

Timing, as the provider states it: No application required

Automatic for new international-fee students in approved English-language programs in the six direct-entry faculties with an 80%+ admission average. 100 students with 90%+ also get a $10,000 Academic Excellence Scholarship.

1. Apply for first-year admission to an approved English-language program at uOttawa; there is no separate scholarship form
2. You need at least 80%; 90%+ puts you in line for the extra $10,000
3. Stay full-time and meet the renewal rules each term

Timing, as the provider states it: No application required

Automatic entrance funding for international fee-paying students admitted to eligible full-time, first-year degree studies at Waterloo.

1. Apply for full-time first-year admission and remain an international fee-paying student enrolled in at least three courses in each of the first two terms
2. Confirm you are not in an excluded program or route: Medical Sciences/SGU Medicine, Social Work, Optometry, Pharmacy, transfer admission with credits, or a 2+2 or similar program
3. If deferring, confirm eligibility directly with Waterloo because the page excludes prior-year deferrals but separately says a deferred offer may retain the award when eligibility is still met

Timing, as the provider states it: No scholarship application; eligible awards appear in the Waterloo applicant portal beginning in mid-April

Entrance funding for qualifying international undergraduates.

1. Apply for first-year admission to Windsor as an international student; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Check the qualifying criteria on Windsor's international page
3. Confirm the amount in your admission package

Timing, as the provider states it: Made at the time of admission

Automatic awards for international students: Scholarship of Distinction at 90%+, Merit Award at 80–89.9%, and a one-time Entrance Award at 75–79.9%.

1. Apply for first-year admission to York as an international student; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Bands start at 75%, 80% and 90%
3. Renew with at least 24 credits and a 7.5 York GPA

Timing, as the provider states it: No application for these automatic awards

For top incoming Canadian students from outside Alberta, based on admission average. No application.

1. Apply for first-year admission to the University of Alberta from outside Alberta; there is no separate scholarship form
2. Awards go to top admission averages
3. Check renewal rules in your award letter

Timing, as the provider states it: Assessed at the time of the admission offer

Every Ontario student registering for the first time in a first-cycle program receives this scholarship automatically with the admission letter.

1. Apply for first-year admission to a first-cycle program at the Université de Moncton; there is no separate scholarship form
2. This award is for students from Ontario
3. Many programs add a $1,000–$2,000 admission award on top

Timing, as the provider states it: Automatic with admission

Canadian citizens and permanent residents who aren't Quebec residents pay the Quebec tuition rate when they study in French in an eligible Laval program. Most certificates, bachelor's and master's programs qualify.

1. Choose a French-language Laval program that isn't on the excluded list
2. Confirm your French is strong enough to succeed in the program
3. Apply for admission; the exemption follows eligibility

Timing, as the provider states it: Applied to eligible programs; check the 2026–2027 excluded-program list