The University of Waterloo is a world leader in STEM and innovation. For the 2026/2027 school year, it has made its funding model for international students more aggressive. The best news for 2026 is that almost all first-year international students who meet the requirements will automatically get the $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship.
1. The $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship (New for 2026)
The scholarship is a high-availability award meant to help international students pay for their higher tuition.
- Value: $10,000 CAD, paid in two parts: $5,000 in the first term and $5,000 in the second term.
- Rule for Applications: Automatic. There is no need to fill out a separate application.
- You must be a full-time, first-year international student starting in September 2026 to be eligible.
- Exclusions: Students in optometry, pharmacy, or the 2+2/x+y partnership programs usually can’t get this award.
2. Global Scholarships for Specific Faculty
Waterloo’s specific faculties offer high-value “Global” awards that can be combined with other funding in addition to the general $10,000 award.
- International Student Scholarships from the Faculty of Science:
- Value: $25,000 to $80,000 CAD (some can be renewed).
- February 13, 2026, is the deadline. This scholarship is one of the few that needs a separate application.
- Global Scholarships from the Faculty of Mathematics:
- Price: $12,000 to $40,000 CAD.
- Selection: Based on how well you did in school and in the Euclid Mathematics Contest or the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest.
- International Awards from the Faculty of Engineering:
- Value: Up to $10,000 CAD for certain programmes, such as Environmental or Geological Engineering.
3. President’s Scholarships of Distinction
This scholarship is the ultimate merit award for students with an admission average of 95% or higher.
- Value: $2,000 CAD entrance award.
- You can also claim a $1,500 International Experience Award (for studying abroad) and a $1,500 Research Award (to work with a professor at Waterloo) in later years.
- Requirement: No application needed; your final admission average is all that matters.
4. Scholarships for Black and Native American Students
For the 2026 intake, Waterloo has a special fund for students of African descent (African, Caribbean, Black Canadian, etc.).
- Value: between $1,200 and $40,000 CAD.
- April 15, 2026, is the deadline.
- Rule for applications: You need to fill out a separate application. You need to identify yourself and write a statement about how you are involved in your community.
5. Money for Graduate Students (Masters and PhD)
Waterloo provides graduate students a “Funding Package” instead of just individual scholarships.
- The Graduate Scholarship is worth $1,000 per term, up to three terms. There is no need to apply; departments choose students who have an average of 80% or higher.
- International Master’s/Doctoral Awards: These are extra payments (usually between $2,000 and $4,000 per year) that are only given to international research students to help pay for the difference in tuition.
- PhD Funding Guarantee: Most PhD programmes at Waterloo offer a minimum funding guarantee, which is usually $26,000 or more per year. This money comes from scholarships, Research Assistantships (RA), and Teaching Assistantships (TA).
6. Entrance Bursaries for People Who Need Money
You can apply for an entrance bursary to help pay for your scholarships if your family’s income is low.
- Value: between $1,000 and $5,000 CAD.
- April 15, 2026, is the deadline.
- Rule for applications: You need to fill out a separate application. You need to fill out the online entrance bursary application through your Waterloo applicant portal.
Checklist for 2026 Waterloo Applicants
- Check the Portal: Starting in mid-April 2026, you will start to see scholarship notifications in the “Awards and Financial Aid” tab of your Quest portal.
- Mathematics Contests: If you want to get into the Faculty of Maths or Computer Science, your score in the Euclid Contest is often the “tie-breaker” for high-value scholarships.
- Study Permit Status: You must keep your status as an international student who pays fees. If you become a permanent resident in the middle of the year, your international scholarship will be cut in half or cancelled.
