Student bursaries

Bursaries are available for current undergraduate and graduate students who have financial need and meet all eligibility criteria.

Students registered through Conrad Grebel, Renison, St. Jerome's, or United College should consult their respective school to inquire about their bursary application process.

• To be considered for bursary assistance, complete the online application (in Quest).
• Bursary applications are considered one term at a time.
• You will need to apply for a bursary for each term that you wish to be considered for bursary assistance.

Application dates and deadlines

• Fall term: July 22 to October 31
• Winter term: November (opening date to be confirmed) to February 28
• Spring term: March (opening date to be confirmed) to June 30

​​​​ How to apply

The bursary application form is found directly in Quest. Instructions on how to find and complete the Quest form are available on our bursary application help page.

Decisions and appeals

• Processing time is approximately three weeks from submission.
• Decisions will be emailed to applicants University of Waterloo email address.
• Successful applicants with outstanding fees will have their bursary funds first applied to their fees.
• When applicant fees are paid in full, remaining bursary funds will be deposited into the applicant's Canadian bank account (see instructions to set up banking details in Quest).
• Bursary decisions are final. Contact the Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA) office if you have questions about your bursary decision.
  • Applicants can resubmit their application (in Quest) one time per term if they are able to provide new, relevant information and supporting documentation.

  Eligibility

  Full-time student bursary

  • Be enrolled full-time for the current term as an undergraduate or graduate student
    • co-op work terms are not eligible for bursary assistance
    • OSAP applications must be complete (no outstanding documents) and assessed before any bursary application will be assessed. Make sure you have an OSAP assessment before you submit your bursary application.
    • Students receiving financial assistance from another Canadian province must submit their detailed Notice of Assessment with their online bursary application.

    Part-time student bursary

    • Be enrolled part-time (no more than 40% of a full-time course load) for the current term as an undergraduate or graduate student.
    • Be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
    • Have financial need.
    • Have applied for part-time OSAP or another province's student aid program.
      • ​​ OSAP applications must be complete (no outstanding documents) and assessed before any bursary application will be assessed. Make sure you have an OSAP assessment before you submit your bursary application.
      • Students receiving financial assistance from another Canadian province must submit their detailed Notice of Assessment with their online bursary application.

      International undergraduate full-time bursary

      • Be studying at Waterloo on a valid study permit.
      • Be a full-time (minimum course load of 60%) undergraduate student in Year 2 or above.
      • Co-op work terms are not eligible for bursary assistance.
      • Be in satisfactory academic standing.
      • Be fees arranged for the current term (preferred but not required).
      • Have financial need due to exceptional or unexpected circumstances.
      • Be able to provide a detailed explanation and supporting documents regarding the lack of financial assistance from your home country.
      • Provide all necessary documentation required to process the application.
        • A copy of your study permit
        • Proof of your parents, spouse’s, or sponsor’s 2022 income translated into English. This can be a letter from their employer, last paystub for 2022 with Year To Date, or similar documentation. The income on the application should be converted to Canadian dollars.
        • Receipts for any exceptional expenses reported on the application.

        Note: International graduate students must apply through Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.

        New maximums due to funding limitations are effective for Fall 2023 and onward.

        • 60% course load - $1000
        • 80% course load - $1500
        • 100% course load - $2000