University of Waterloo Scholarships for International Students

University of Waterloo Scholarships for International Students.

The University of Waterloo is one of Canada’s leading universities for students interested in technology, engineering, mathematics, science, business and other fields. For international students, the cost of studying in Canada can be significant, which makes scholarships and other forms of financial support especially important.

The University of Waterloo offers several scholarships and awards for international students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Some awards are automatic, while others require students to submit a separate application or be nominated by their faculty or department.

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For students planning to study in Canada, Waterloo scholarships can reduce tuition costs and, in some cases, provide substantial financial support over multiple years.

University of Waterloo Scholarships for International Students

Does the University of Waterloo Offer Scholarships to International Students?

Yes. International students can access scholarships and awards at the University of Waterloo.

For undergraduate students, Waterloo currently offers a new $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship for eligible international fee-paying students entering full-time, first-year degree studies in September 2026. No separate application is required for this particular award.

The university also has other entrance scholarships, faculty-specific awards and competitive scholarships. Some awards can be worth considerably more when combined or renewed over several years.

Graduate students have access to a different range of funding opportunities, including international graduate awards, research funding, scholarships, assistantships and department-based financial support.

$10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship

One of the most important current opportunities for international undergraduate applicants is the International Student Entrance Scholarship.

Eligible international fee-paying students admitted to full-time, first-year degree studies beginning in September 2026 receive $10,000 toward their first-year studies.

One of the major advantages of this scholarship is that students do not have to submit a separate scholarship application.

Eligible students are considered through the admissions process, and scholarship information is made available through Waterloo’s applicant portal.

This makes it particularly important for international students to submit a strong university application and meet all admission requirements.

Waterloo Entrance Scholarships

The University of Waterloo also provides a range of entrance scholarships for students entering undergraduate programs.

Some awards are based primarily on academic performance, while others may consider leadership, extracurricular involvement or other achievements.

The university has hundreds of undergraduate awards available to newly admitted and current students, and students are encouraged to search its awards directory for opportunities that match their circumstances.

Scholarships can vary considerably in value and eligibility.

Some are automatic, while others require an application.

Scholarships Worth Up to $80,000 or More

International students should not assume that the $10,000 entrance scholarship is the maximum amount available.

Waterloo states that international students may be eligible for scholarships worth $80,000 or more over four years.

The Faculty of Mathematics, which includes Computer Science, and the Faculty of Science offer some of the university’s larger scholarship opportunities for international students.

These awards can be particularly attractive to students with outstanding academic records who are applying for competitive programs.

However, larger scholarships are generally highly competitive and may have additional requirements.

Faculty-Specific Scholarships

Another important feature of Waterloo’s scholarship system is that funding can be connected to the student’s intended program or faculty.

A student applying for Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, Science or another program may encounter scholarship opportunities that are different from those available to students in other faculties.

For this reason, international applicants should not rely on a single general scholarship.

Instead, students should investigate:

• University-wide scholarships
• Faculty scholarships
• Program-specific awards
• Entrance scholarships
• Current-student awards
• External scholarships
• Research funding for graduate study

This approach can significantly increase the number of funding opportunities available to an applicant.

President’s and Merit Scholarships

Waterloo also offers President’s and Merit Scholarships for qualifying students.

These awards are generally associated with academic achievement and are among the entrance scholarships students may be considered for.

For international students, scholarship information is normally made available through the applicant portal.

Waterloo indicates that international students can receive multiple scholarships in some circumstances. For example, an eligible student could potentially receive an International Student Entrance Scholarship together with another scholarship from the university or faculty.

The exact combination depends on the applicable award rules.

Scholarships for Graduate Students

International students applying for graduate programs at Waterloo can access a different funding structure.

Graduate funding may come from:

• Scholarships
• Graduate research studentships
• Teaching assistantships
• Research assistantships
• Faculty funding
• External awards
• Departmental awards
• International student awards

For research-based graduate programs, Waterloo provides minimum funding arrangements for eligible students in good academic standing.

This is particularly important for international students because research-based graduate programs can have significant tuition and living costs.

International Master’s Award of Excellence

The International Master’s Award of Excellence is one of Waterloo’s important funding opportunities for international graduate students.

The award is generally available to eligible international students entering research-based master’s programs.

The current value is $2,500 per term for a maximum of five terms.

Students are normally considered through their faculty or graduate program rather than applying through the same process used for undergraduate entrance scholarships.

Because graduate funding structures differ between departments, prospective students should also contact their intended department to understand the complete funding package.

International Doctoral Student Award

International students entering full-time PhD programs at Waterloo may receive an International Doctoral Student Award.

The award is designed to help address the difference between international and domestic tuition costs for eligible doctoral students.

For research-based doctoral students, this funding can form part of the overall financial-support package provided by the university.

Waterloo states that full-time doctoral students, both domestic and international, receive a minimum funding level of $29,145 per year effective May 1, 2026, for up to four years, provided they meet the applicable conditions.

This minimum funding can come from multiple sources, including scholarships, studentships and teaching or research assistantships.

Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards

International graduate students should also watch for major external research scholarships available through Canadian research initiatives.

The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards are a significant new opportunity announced in late 2025.

The program provides 600 doctoral scholarships across Canada, valued at $40,000 per year for three years.

International students or Canadian students currently studying abroad and returning to Canada can be eligible under the relevant competition.

For highly qualified international doctoral applicants, opportunities of this type can provide much stronger financial support than ordinary entrance scholarships.

Are Waterloo Scholarships Fully Funded?

Most Waterloo scholarships should not automatically be described as fully funded.

A scholarship can reduce tuition substantially without covering all the expenses associated with studying in Canada.

International students should budget for:

• Tuition
• Accommodation
• Food
• Transportation
• Health insurance
• Books and supplies
• Study permit expenses
• Travel
• Personal expenses

Even a large scholarship may cover only part of the overall cost.

Research-based graduate students can receive substantial funding through a combination of scholarships, assistantships and minimum funding arrangements, but students should still examine their specific offer carefully.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility depends on the particular scholarship.

For undergraduate scholarships, international fee-paying students applying for eligible full-time degree programs can qualify for several opportunities.

Academic performance is a major consideration for many awards.

Other scholarships may consider:

• Leadership
• Extracurricular activities
• Community involvement
• Research potential
• Academic achievement
• Financial need
• Intended program
• Citizenship or residency
• Faculty or department

Graduate scholarships have their own eligibility requirements and may require students to be enrolled in research-based programs.

How to Apply for University of Waterloo Scholarships

The application process depends on the scholarship.

For automatic entrance scholarships, students generally do not submit a separate scholarship application. Their admission application is used to determine eligibility.

For scholarships requiring an application, students should carefully follow the instructions provided by Waterloo and submit all required documents before the deadline.

A strong application should normally include:

• Academic transcripts
• Strong academic results
• Personal information
• Evidence of leadership where required
• Extracurricular achievements
• References where applicable
• Research information for graduate applications
• Other documents specified by the scholarship

Students should also monitor their Waterloo applicant portal and email for scholarship notifications.

How Competitive Are Waterloo Scholarships?

Waterloo scholarships can be highly competitive, particularly the larger awards.

Strong grades are important, but academic performance is not necessarily the only factor.

For awards that consider leadership or extracurricular achievement, students should demonstrate meaningful involvement rather than simply listing activities.

Applicants should explain their achievements clearly and show how their academic interests, leadership and community involvement distinguish them from other candidates.

For graduate scholarships, research potential and academic excellence can be especially important.

Financial Support for Current International Students

Scholarship opportunities are not limited to newly admitted students.

Current international undergraduate students can access certain awards and bursaries depending on their circumstances.

Waterloo also provides an international undergraduate student bursary for eligible full-time students in Year 2 or above who are studying under a valid study permit and demonstrate financial need.

The current maximum is based on course load, with up to $2,000 available per academic year under the stated bursary structure.

Graduate students should seek financial assistance through Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs and their academic department.

Tips for International Students Applying to Waterloo

International students should begin preparing for scholarships before submitting their university application.

Start by researching your intended program and identifying scholarships associated with that faculty.

Maintain strong academic results because many Waterloo scholarships are merit-based.

Keep records of leadership positions, volunteering, competitions, awards and community involvement.

If applying for graduate studies, identify potential supervisors and research areas early.

Most importantly, do not assume that receiving admission automatically means you will receive a large scholarship. Funding varies according to the award, program and applicant.

Final Thoughts

University of Waterloo Scholarships for International Students can provide valuable financial support for students who want to study in Canada.

The university currently offers a new $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship for eligible international undergraduate students beginning first-year degree studies in September 2026. International students can also explore faculty-specific scholarships, entrance awards and other opportunities that can provide significantly more funding over multiple years.

Graduate students have additional opportunities through awards such as the International Master’s Award of Excellence, International Doctoral Student Award, research studentships, assistantships and external research scholarships.

Because Waterloo’s scholarship opportunities vary by program and level of study, international applicants should investigate funding before applying and check the eligibility requirements and deadlines for each award.

For students from Nigeria and other countries outside Canada, a strong academic record combined with leadership, research experience and relevant extracurricular achievements can improve the chances of securing competitive funding.