University of Waterloo International Student Scholarships 2026 | Eligibility and How to Apply

The University of Waterloo in Canada is offering a brand new $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship for 2026, and the best part is that you do not need to apply for it. Eligible international students are automatically considered and awarded the funding, making it one of the most straightforward scholarship opportunities available for students planning to study in Canada this year. On top of this, Waterloo offers a wide range of additional scholarships that can significantly increase the total financial support available to you.

This scholarship package is designed for international fee-paying students who are starting their first year of full-time undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo in September 2026. Whether you are coming from Africa, Asia, South America, Europe, or anywhere else in the world, you could qualify for multiple awards that stack on top of each other. Students in certain programmes, such as Engineering and Mathematics, may be eligible for even higher total award values.

In this post, we have put together everything you need to know about the University of Waterloo International Student Scholarships for 2026. You will find details on all available scholarships, eligibility requirements, eligible fields of study, documents needed, how to apply, key deadlines, and practical tips to help you make the most of this opportunity.

Job Overview

Eligibility

The following requirements apply specifically to the $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship. Additional scholarships have their own eligibility conditions, which are noted in the Benefits section.

• Citizenship: You must be an international fee-paying student. This means you must be paying international tuition fees (study permit fees). The scholarship is not limited to students living outside Canada. If you are an international fee-paying student attending high school in Ontario or elsewhere in Canada, you are still eligible.
• Academic qualifications: You must be admitted to a full-time, first-year degree programme at the University of Waterloo starting in September 2026. This includes students applying from CEGEP (Quebec’s pre-university programme). No minimum admission average is required.
• Enrollment conditions: You must be enrolled full-time (three or more courses) in both your first and second terms at Waterloo. You must also continue to be an international fee-paying student throughout both terms.
• Residency condition: If your residency status changes before or during the term, and you are no longer required to pay international study permit tuition fees, you will lose eligibility for the scholarship.

The following students are NOT eligible for the $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship:

• Medical Sciences (Waterloo) and Doctor of Medicine (St. George’s University) students
• Bachelor of Social Work, Doctor of Optometry, and Doctor of Pharmacy students
• Transfer students admitted with transfer credits
• Students who deferred their admission from September 2025 to September 2026
• Students enrolled in 2+2 and other similar x+y programmes

Note: Students admitted to the BASE (Bridge to Academic Success in English) programme are eligible. The scholarship will be awarded when you begin your degree programme, provided you still meet all eligibility requirements at that time.

Eligible Countries

The $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship is open to international fee-paying students from all countries worldwide. Waterloo does not restrict this award by country of origin.

• Africa: All African countries are eligible.
• Asia: All Asian countries are eligible. Note that specific additional scholarships exist for students from India applying to Faculty of Mathematics programmes.
• Americas: All countries in North, Central, and South America are eligible.
• Europe: All European countries are eligible.
• Middle East: All Middle Eastern countries are eligible.
• Oceania: All countries in the Oceania region are eligible.

Eligible Fields of Study

Most undergraduate programmes at the University of Waterloo are eligible for the $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship. However, the following programmes are excluded:

• Medical Sciences (Waterloo) and Doctor of Medicine (St. George’s University)
• Bachelor of Social Work
• Doctor of Optometry
• Doctor of Pharmacy

All other full-time, first-year undergraduate programmes are eligible, including programmes in Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Arts, Environment, and Health.

Additional faculty-specific scholarships are available for students in the following areas:

• Environmental Engineering and Geological Engineering: An extra $10,000 from the Faculty of Engineering (total of $20,000 in first year, no application required).
• Faculty of Mathematics programmes: Up to 10 Global Scholarships valued at $12,000 to $40,000 each (no application required) and up to 15 India-specific awards valued at $20,000 to $40,000 for students from India.
• Faculty of Science programmes: 15 scholarships valued at $25,000 to $80,000 each (application required by February 13, 2026).
• Various programmes: Additional scholarships available through individual faculties, with varying deadlines.

Benefits

Here is a full breakdown of the financial support available to international students at the University of Waterloo:

• $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship (automatic, first year only):
  • First installment of $5,000 applied to your first-term tuition in late July.
  • Second installment of $5,000 applied to your second-term tuition in late November.
  • Applied directly to your tuition fee bill. Cannot be transferred to you as cash.
• Faculty of Engineering Scholarship (Environmental and Geological Engineering only): An additional $10,000 for a combined total of $20,000 in first year. No application required.
• Faculty of Mathematics Global Scholarships: Up to 10 scholarships valued between $12,000 and $40,000 each. No application required.
• Faculty of Mathematics International Awards (India): Up to 15 awards valued between $20,000 and $40,000 for students from India applying to select Mathematics programmes. No application required.
• Faculty of Science International Student Scholarships: 15 scholarships valued between $25,000 and $80,000 each. Application required by February 13, 2026.
• Scholarships for Black Students: Awards valued between $1,200 and $40,000 for students of African, African American, Afro-Latine, Black Canadian, Caribbean, or other African descent. Application required by April 15, 2026.
• President’s and Merit Scholarships: Additional merit-based awards available. Automatically considered.
• Bursaries (after first year): Up to $2,000 based on financial need, available to full-time international students from second year onward.
• Co-op earnings: If enrolled in a co-op programme, you can earn between $9,600 and $22,800 per four-month work term in Canada. Most students complete five or six co-op terms.
• International Work-Study Programme: Earn up to $2,000 per four-month school term through part-time work on campus.
• Living allowance / stipend: Not provided as a direct stipend. Scholarship funds are applied to tuition only.

Required Documents

For the $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship, no documents are required. Eligible students are automatically awarded the scholarship. It will appear on the Awards and Financial Aid tab in the Waterloo Applicant Portal from mid-April onward.

For scholarships that require an application, the documents needed will vary. Below is a general checklist to prepare:

1. Completed University of Waterloo application (via your provincial or international application portal).
2. Official academic transcripts from all schools attended.
3. Proof of admission offer from the University of Waterloo.
4. Proof of international student status (confirmation that you are paying international tuition fees).
5. English language proficiency test scores, if required for your programme.
6. Personal statement or essay (required for specific scholarships such as the Faculty of Science awards and the Black Students scholarship).
7. Letters of recommendation (check the requirements for individual scholarships you are applying for).
8. Any faculty-specific application forms, as outlined on the relevant scholarship page.

Check each individual scholarship page for the exact documents required before applying.

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply for admission to the University of Waterloo. Submit your application to Waterloo through the appropriate application portal for your region (for example, OUAC for Ontario students, or the international direct application). Make sure you select your preferred programme and confirm it is eligible for the scholarship.

Step 2: Receive your offer of admission. Once Waterloo reviews your application, you will receive an offer of admission to your programme. Accept this offer before the offer confirmation deadline to remain eligible for your scholarships.

Step 3: Check the Awards and Financial Aid tab in the Waterloo Applicant Portal. Starting in mid-April, eligible students will see the $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship appear on this tab automatically. No action is needed on your part to claim it.

Step 4: Confirm your enrollment as a full-time international student. Make sure you register for three or more courses in both your first and second terms. Falling below full-time enrollment will result in losing scholarship eligibility.

Step 5: Apply for the Faculty of Science International Student Scholarships by February 13, 2026, if applicable. Visit the Faculty of Science scholarship page and submit the required application form and documents by the deadline.

Step 6: Apply for the Scholarships for Black Students by April 15, 2026, if you are of African, African American, Afro-Latine, Black Canadian, Caribbean, or other African descent. Visit the application form linked on the Waterloo website to apply.

Step 7: Review all other application-based scholarships on the Waterloo scholarship search tool. Filter by your faculty and citizenship status to find all scholarships you may be eligible for, including those with different deadlines.

Step 8: Monitor your Waterloo Applicant Portal regularly. Your scholarship awards will appear on the Awards and Financial Aid tab. Keep your contact details updated so you do not miss any important communications from Waterloo.

Step 9: Maintain your eligibility conditions. Remain enrolled full-time and continue paying international tuition fees throughout your first year to ensure both scholarship installments are applied to your tuition.

Step 10: Explore co-op programme opportunities if your programme includes this option. Co-op placements can earn you between $9,600 and $22,800 per four-month term, which significantly adds to your overall financial position while studying at Waterloo.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The key deadlines for application-based scholarships are as follows:

• Faculty of Science International Student Scholarships: February 13, 2026.
• Scholarships for Black Students: April 15, 2026.
• Other faculty-specific scholarships: Deadlines vary. Check the Waterloo scholarship search tool for individual deadlines.

For the $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship, there is no application deadline because no application is required. However, you must accept your offer of admission by Waterloo’s official confirmation deadline to remain eligible.

Applications and scholarship eligibility submitted or confirmed after these dates will NOT be accepted.

Selection Criteria

For the automatic $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship, there is no competitive selection process. Every eligible international fee-paying student who meets the conditions automatically receives the award. There is no limit on the number of students who can receive it.

For application-based scholarships, the following criteria are typically considered:

• Academic excellence: Strong academic performance and grades from your secondary school record are a key factor. However, for the automatic entrance scholarship, no minimum grade average is required.
• Financial need: Bursaries from second year onward are assessed based on financial need.
• Background and identity: The Scholarships for Black Students are specifically designated for students of African, African American, Afro-Latine, Black Canadian, Caribbean, or other African descent.
• Faculty-specific criteria: Some scholarships within the Faculty of Mathematics and Faculty of Science have their own selection processes. 
• Programme of study: Certain scholarships are restricted to specific programmes or faculties, such as Environmental Engineering and Geological Engineering for the additional $10,000 Engineering award.

Important Tips

1. Do not wait for a scholarship notification before accepting your offer of admission. The automatic scholarship will appear on your portal in mid-April, but you still need to accept your offer of admission by Waterloo’s confirmation deadline. Missing that deadline could cost you your place and your scholarship.
2. Apply to the Faculty of Science scholarship as early as possible. The February 13, 2026 deadline is earlier than most students expect. If you are applying to a Science programme, start preparing your application materials well in advance.
3. Check whether you are eligible for the Scholarships for Black Students. This award is open to students from across the African diaspora worldwide, with awards ranging from $1,200 to $40,000. The April 15, 2026 deadline gives you time to prepare, but do not leave it to the last minute.
4. Use the Waterloo scholarship search tool to find every award available for your faculty and programme. Many students miss out on scholarships they qualify for simply because they did not search thoroughly. Filter by your faculty and citizenship status for the best results.
5. If you are applying to Environmental Engineering or Geological Engineering, you will automatically receive $20,000 in first year with no application needed. Make sure you confirm your enrollment in one of these programmes to secure this combined award.
6. Consider the co-op programme seriously when choosing your programme at Waterloo. With five or six co-op terms, you could earn between $48,000 and $136,800 in paid work experience throughout your degree, substantially reducing your overall cost of study.
7. Keep your residency status stable during your first year. If your status changes from international to domestic (for example, through a permanent residency application), you may lose the scholarship. Understand how any changes in your immigration status could affect your eligibility.
8. Log into your Waterloo Applicant Portal regularly, starting from mid-April. This is where you will see your scholarships confirmed. If you do not see the scholarship appear and you believe you are eligible, contact Waterloo’s international admissions team directly.
9. Do not assume that one scholarship will reduce another. At Waterloo, you can receive multiple scholarships simultaneously. The $10,000 entrance award does not replace or reduce any other scholarship you are awarded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply for the $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship? 

No. If you are eligible, the scholarship will be automatically awarded to you and will appear on the Awards and Financial Aid tab in your Waterloo Applicant Portal from mid-April 2026. No application, documents, or bank information is required.

Can I receive more than one scholarship from Waterloo at the same time? 

Yes. Waterloo allows students to receive multiple scholarships simultaneously. The $10,000 entrance award does not reduce or replace any other scholarship you qualify for, such as the President’s Scholarship, faculty-specific awards, or the Scholarships for Black Students.

Is the $10,000 scholarship paid directly to me? 

No. The scholarship is applied directly to your tuition fee bill. The first $5,000 is applied in late July to cover your first term, and the second $5,000 is applied in late November to cover your second term. It cannot be transferred to you as cash.

What happens if my grades drop during first year? 

As long as you continue to meet the conditions of your original offer of admission, there is no separate grade point average requirement for this scholarship. However, you must remain enrolled full-time.

I am an international student attending school in Canada. Am I eligible? 

Yes. The scholarship is available to all international fee-paying students, regardless of where you currently live or attend school. If you are paying international tuition fees and meet all other conditions, you are eligible.

What if I deferred my admission from September 2025 to September 2026?

Students who deferred their admission from September 2025 to September 2026 are not eligible for the $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship.

Is the scholarship renewable for second year and beyond?

No. The scholarship is available only in your first year and covers your first two terms. From second year onward, you may be eligible for need-based bursaries of up to $2,000 and hundreds of additional scholarships available to continuing Waterloo students.

What programmes are excluded from the scholarship?

The following programmes are not eligible: Medical Sciences (Waterloo) and Doctor of Medicine (St. George’s University), Bachelor of Social Work, Doctor of Optometry, Doctor of Pharmacy, and programmes in 2+2 or similar x+y structures. Transfer students admitted with transfer credits are also excluded.

Official Links

University of Waterloo International Scholarships page: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/financing/scholarships-international-students

Waterloo Applicant Portal: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/applicants/portal

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