Funding your education at Ontario Tech University

Scholarships

You could be awarded a scholarship from the university based on academic achievement as well as personal excellence.

All scholarships and awards from the university are subject to the following conditions:

• Entrance scholarships are available to students attending the university from secondary school within 18 months of graduation.
• Summer school courses taken immediately prior to the start of the September term and any upgrading marks will not be included in grade calculations for awards.
• The university reserves the right to determine acceptable academic credentials, grades, and prerequisite courses to be used for admissions and awards.
• Values are subject to change without notice.
• You have not previously attended a post-secondary institution.
• You may not hold more than one scholarship simultaneously.
• You must be enrolled in a minimum of 80 percent course load per term.

Major Entrance Scholarships

Major entrance scholarships are application-based, and awarded to applicants who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement (minimum 85 percent average), exceptional leadership and community involvement.

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident studying full-time at a Canadian secondary school, you can apply for the following:

• Chancellor’s Scholarship - one awarded, valued at $36,000 ($9,000 a year for four years)
• President’s Scholarship - two awarded, valued at $30,000 each ($7,500 a year for four years)
• Founder’s Scholarship - two awarded, valued at $24,000 each ($6,000 a year for four years)

Only one application is required to be considered for all three awards. Learn more about major entrance scholarships here.

Awards of Recognition

Awards of recognition are entrance-based scholarships recognizing accomplishments for recent Canadian secondary-school graduates. The following amounts are automatically awarded in your first year based on your best six 4U/4M courses (or equivalent)

• $4,000 - 95 percent or higher
• $2,000 - 90 to 94.9 percent
• $1,000 - 85 to 89.9 percent

Ontario Tech University International Education Scholarship

The Ontario Tech University International Education Scholarship is for current students completing part of their academic program abroad through their faculty with approval. If eligible, this scholarship will provide you with financial support for an allocated period of academic study, work term, or co-op placement outside of Canada.

Awards are available for international study opportunities based on the following criteria:

• Full-time, registered student at the university
• Participating in a faculty-approved international study program
• Must have demonstrated financial need
• Must be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person.

Learn more about scholarships for international students on the SAFA website.

In Course Scholarships

Current students can also receive in course scholarships. If you have achieved a minimum 3.7 GPA (on a 4.3 scale) during your previous academic year, and are returning to full-time study, you may qualify for an in-course scholarship. To be eligible, students must:

• Have been registered in at least 80 percent course load in your previous fall and winter semesters
• Achieved a combined GPA of 3.7 or greater from your previous fall and winter semesters
• Be returning to full-time studies in the fall semester, registered in at least an 80 percent course load

In course scholarships are automatically applied to eligible student accounts at the start of the fall semester each year. 

• $1,500 is awarded to students who have achieved a combined GPA of 4.0 or greater from their previous fall and winter semesters
• $1,000 is awarded to students who have achieved a combined GPA of 3.7 to 3.99 from their previous fall and winter semesters

In-course scholarships are available for up to three years of your first undergraduate degree. 

Bursaries

Bursaries are awarded to students based on their financial need. Occasionally, there may be other requirements or qualifications, such as:

• Enrolment in a specific program.
• Membership in a specific organization.

You must be in good academic standing to be considered for bursary funding.

General Bursaries

General bursaries are available for students requiring additional financial assistance for educational costs. You will be considered for bursary funding by completing a General Bursary and Donor Award application, which is available at the start of each semester on MyOntarioTech, along with information regarding eligibility requirements and deadlines for submission. You must have a valid Student Number to access MyOntarioTech. Before applying for a general bursary, you should investigate all other forms of financial assistance. This may include:

• Family support
• OSAP
• Part-time employment
• Scholarships
• Student lines of credit

Once your application is submitted, Student Awards and Financial Aid will review it and you will be notified of the results via your student email address.

Indigenous Student Bursary

The Indigenous Student Bursary provides aid to self-identified Indigenous students with financial need who are attending a publicly assisted college, university or Indigenous Institute in Ontario. The bursary is distributed by each institution’s Financial Aid Office or Registrar. Contact Student Awards and Financial Aid for additional information on how to apply. 

To learn more, visit the OSAP website.

Ontario First Generation Bursary

The Ontario First Generation Bursary provides aid to post-secondary students with financial need who are attending publicly assisted colleges and universities in Ontario. This bursary is specifically for students whose parents have never attended post-secondary studies on either a full- or part-time basis anywhere in the world.

To learn more, visit the OSAP website. 

Students with disabilities

If you are a student with a disability and your disability impacts your ability to take a full course load, the Admissions and Scholarship Committee will review your application if you meet all other criteria for the scholarship, award or bursary. 

Please contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to make an appointment to discuss your eligibility for a scholarship or bursary. Note: Documentation may be required.

If your disability is verified and you are unable to take a full course load, SAS will advise you of the next steps.

External awards

These awards are offered by external companies, organizations or associations for post-secondary students at various institutions, with deadlines throughout 2022. 

To view our list of external awards, please visit the SAFA website.

Undergraduate Research Awards

Undergraduate Research Award recipients will engage in 12 or 16 weeks of full-time research activity under the supervision of an Ontario Tech professor. They will gain research experience in an exciting academic setting while receiving financial support. If you're looking to gain hands-on research experience in your field of study and work with leading professors on innovative research, Ontario Tech University offers a number of undergraduate research awards for summer project opportunities.

To be eligible to apply, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be a registered student, as of Ontario Tech’s application deadline, in a Bachelor’s degree program at an eligible university
• Have obtained, over the previous years of study, a cumulative average of at least B- (70 percent or 2.7 grade points)
• Have completed at least one full year of university course work (two full academic semesters) by the start of the research project
• Have received an endorsement signature from the Project Supervisor of the project(s) listed on your application form

For more information on the Undergraduate Research Awards, please refer to the FAQ for Students. 

Please send any questions about student research at Ontario Tech to studentresearch@ontariotechu.ca