The University of Ottawa, one of Canada’s top bilingual institutions, is offering a broad and inclusive range of scholarships for the 2025–2026 academic year. Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, both domestic and international, can benefit from merit-based awards, need-based bursaries, faculty-specific scholarships, and government-funded opportunities.
The university’s scholarship program includes automatic admission awards, faculty-level grants, and special scholarships targeting international students from regions such as Africa, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, and South Korea. There are also research and graduate assistantships for master’s and PhD students.
Key Scholarship Categories
1. Undergraduate Admission Scholarships
- Automatic Excellence Awards:
- 95–100% average → $3,000
- 90–94.9% → $2,000
- 85–89.9% → $1,000
- Entrance & Excellence Scholarships (International):
- Available to students from select countries.
- Entrance: $12,000–$20,000 per year.
- Excellence: $17,500–$25,000 per year.
- Renewable for up to four years (12 terms).
2. Faculty-Specific Scholarships
- Faculty of Arts Dean’s Merit: $1,000 per year.
- Engineering Memorial Scholarship: Awards range from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on GPA.
- Social Sciences Dean’s Excellence: $1,500 annually.
- French-law bursaries: Up to $1,000 for eligible undergraduates.
3. Graduate Scholarships & Funding
- International Admission Scholarship: $7,500 per year for master’s students.
- Differential Tuition Fee Exemption: Relief for select programs.
- Excellence Scholarships: Up to $10,000 per year.
- Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS): Merit-based provincial award up to $15,000 per year.
- Mitacs Globalink Fellowships: Research funding opportunities.
4. Doctoral Awards & Assistantships
- International Doctoral Scholarship: Support packages, including tuition and stipends.
- Doctoral Admission Scholarships: Up to $72,000 over four years.
- Ontario Graduate Scholarships & External Funds: Including Vanier and other national awards.
- Research & Teaching Assistantships: Offered through departments.
5. Bursaries & Special Awards
- Education Bursary for Students with Disabilities
- Private Donor Bursaries: Amounts vary.
- Indigenous Leadership Scholarship: ~$26,000 for Indigenous undergraduates.
- LGBTQ+ awards via the Lambda Foundation.
Eligibility & Application Overview
- Undergraduate: Must be newly admitted, full-time. Academic average determines scholarship level.
- International Students: Eligible for entrance, excellence, and faculty scholarships based on citizenship and GPA.
- Graduate Applicants: Need admission to master’s or doctoral programs; many awards require separate applications.
- External Scholarships: The Ontario Graduate Scholarship requires a minimum “A−” average; Mitacs, Vanier, and other awards have their own criteria.
Scholarships are a mix of automatic awards (based on admission averages) and application-based awards (bursaries, faculty grants, and research assistantships).
How to Apply
- Undergraduate
- Apply via OUAC.
- Receive a uoAccess ID for UOZone.
- Upload documents and be automatically assessed for admission scholarships.
- No extra application is required for entrance & excellence awards.
- Graduate (Master’s & PhD)
- Apply through the University of Ottawa’s Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies portal.
- Indicate scholarship interest.
- Submit required documents (letters, transcripts, research proposal).
- Separate applications for OGS and other awards may be required.
- Assistantships & Bursaries
- Contact your department for TA/RA positions.
- Submit applications for need-based bursaries through the financial aid office.
Benefits of Studying at uOttawa
- Bilingual Advantage: Programs available in English and French.
- Co‑op Opportunities: Paid work terms in a wide range of faculties.
- Research Support: Many graduate scholarships include travel and project funding.
- Financial Support: From tuition waivers to living stipends, support addresses both merit and need.
Conclusion
The University of Ottawa offers a robust financial support system for students entering in 2025–2026. From automatic undergraduate scholarships to competitive graduate funding and assistantships, there’s unparalleled opportunity for both domestic and international students.
To maximize your chances:
- Apply early (undergrad: March 1; graduate: February 1).
- Maintain strong academic standing.
- Explore faculty and external awards.
- Secure assistantship roles to supplement funding.
With its bilingual environment, research excellence, and supportive funding framework, the University of Ottawa is an ideal destination to pursue higher education, backed by generous scholarships.
FAQs
Q: Are international students eligible for scholarships?
Yes! International students are eligible for entrance, excellence, faculty, and graduate scholarships.
Q: Do I need separate scholarship applications?
Most undergrad scholarships are automatic. For graduate bursaries, separate applications are required.
Q: Is English proficiency required?
Yes, standard tests like IELTS or equivalent.
Q: Can scholarships be renewed?
Yes, typically renewable yearly provided academic standards are met.
Q: Can I work while studying?
Yes, co‑op programs and TA/RA positions are available for students.
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