The University of Waterloo offers a CAD $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship to eligible international students entering full-time first-year undergraduate study. The award is automatic for eligible admitted students; there is no separate scholarship application. It supports first-year tuition and is not a full-cost or four-year scholarship.
Waterloo scholarship 2027 at a glance
| University | University of Waterloo, Canada |
|---|---|
| Award | International Student Entrance Scholarship |
| Funding | CAD $10,000 in two first-year tuition credits of CAD $5,000 |
| Study level | Full-time first-year undergraduate degree |
| Scholarship application | None; eligible admitted students are considered automatically |
| Admission deadline | January 15, 2027 for Engineering other than Architecture; February 1, 2027 for most other programs |
| Document deadline | February 1 for Engineering; February 15 for most other programs |
What does the scholarship cover?
Waterloo states that the CAD $10,000 award is credited toward the first-year tuition bill in two CAD $5,000 instalments: one in late July for the first term and another in late November for the second term. The scholarship is limited to the first year; it does not cover all tuition, housing, meals, travel or later years of a degree.
Waterloo says eligible students can receive this award alongside another Waterloo entrance scholarship. Check the total cost of your intended program and prepare a plan for the amount the award does not cover.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must be international fee-paying students admitted to a full-time, first-year Waterloo degree program. Students from CEGEP can be eligible. The award is not available to transfer students admitted with transfer credit; students entering Medical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine, Social Work, Optometry or Pharmacy; students in 2+2 or similar arrangements; or students who deferred an offer from a previous year. Waterloo’s full exclusions list and any updates appear on its official scholarship page.
To receive the award, a student must remain enrolled full-time, with at least three courses in each of the first two terms, and continue to pay international tuition. If fee status changes, the scholarship may no longer apply. Waterloo says an approved deferral may preserve eligibility when the student eventually begins the degree, subject to the award conditions.
Application and document deadlines for September 2027
| Program | Admission application | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering, excluding Architecture | January 15, 2027 | February 1, 2027 |
| Most programs outside Engineering | February 1, 2027 | February 15, 2027 |
Waterloo says international students follow the same dates. Architecture and some other programs can have separate steps or dates; verify the deadline shown for your specific program. An application may be accepted after a deadline only if space remains, so do not rely on an extension. There is no separate scholarship deadline because this particular award is automatically assessed with admission.
How to apply
- Choose an eligible first-year Waterloo program and check its academic and English-language requirements.
- Apply for full-time undergraduate admission through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) by your program deadline.
- Complete any required supplementary forms, interviews and document submissions by the applicable deadlines. Engineering applicants should pay particular attention to the Admission Information Form and interview requirements.
- Check the Waterloo applicant portal for an offer and award notice. Waterloo says eligible students will see the scholarship in the Awards and financial aid tab starting in mid-April.
- If admitted, meet the conditions of your offer, enroll full-time and keep your international fee-paying status to receive both tuition credits.
Application fees and English-language requirement
Waterloo requires no separate application or payment for this scholarship. The undergraduate admission application is submitted through OUAC, which charges application fees; check its current fee schedule before submitting.
English-language evidence may be required according to Waterloo’s admission policy and your education history. Waterloo says applicants whose four most recent years of full-time education were taught in an entirely English-language school system in Canada or another country generally do not need to provide a test score, but the university may request one. Check the current official requirements for accepted tests, minimum scores and program exceptions.
Is it fully funded?
No. The CAD $10,000 is a first-year tuition award. It is useful support, but it is not a promise to meet full demonstrated need or pay all tuition and living expenses. Applicants should estimate their remaining costs before accepting an offer.
Official sources
- Waterloo international scholarships: value, eligibility, award conditions and payment
- Waterloo application and document deadlines for 2027
- Waterloo undergraduate application process
- Waterloo English-language requirements
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate scholarship form?
No. Waterloo says eligible students are automatically granted this particular entrance award after admission.
Can I receive another entrance scholarship too?
Yes. Waterloo says the CAD $10,000 award does not replace or reduce other Waterloo entrance scholarships.
How long does the award last?
It applies to the first and second tuition terms only, not multiple years.
What is the deadline?
For September 2027, the central Waterloo deadline is January 15, 2027 for Engineering other than Architecture and February 1, 2027 for most other programs. Follow any program-specific date.
Related opportunities
- McGill Major Entrance Scholarships 2027
- University of Alberta President’s International Distinction Scholarship 2027
- University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship 2027
ScholarshipHubNow verified this guide against the University of Waterloo’s official pages on October 2, 2026. Confirm your program’s current rules and applicant-portal instructions before applying.
