Table of Contents
| If You Are… | Your Focus Should Be On… | Jump To Section |
|---|---|---|
| High school student (Canadian) | Automatic admission scholarships, French studies bursaries | Automatic Merit-Based |
| International undergraduate applicant | International English Admission Scholarship ($60,000 total) | International Scholarships |
| Graduate student | OGS, faculty-specific awards, research funding | Graduate Funding |
| Indigenous student | Indigenous Leadership Scholarship, dedicated funding | Indigenous Student Awards |
| French immersion or bilingual student | French Studies Bursary, FLS Postsecondary Scholarships | French Language Funding |
Finding the right funding for your education is critical, and the University of Ottawa offers one of Canada’s most generous scholarship programs. Ottawa University scholarships range from automatic entrance awards worth up to $4,000 for domestic students to renewable international awards totaling $60,000 over four years. Ottawa University scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students, and many require no application—you are automatically considered based on your admission average.
Ottawa University scholarships also include prestigious opportunities like the Schulich Leader Scholarship ($100,000–$120,000) and the Indigenous Leadership Scholarship ($26,000). Whether you are a domestic student, international applicant, or graduate researcher, Ottawa University scholarships provide accessible pathways to reduce your tuition burden. Below, we break down every major Ottawa University scholarship available annually, with current eligibility criteria and application deadlines.
Automatic Admission Scholarships (Domestic Students)
The University of Ottawa rewards academic excellence from the moment you apply. These Ottawa University scholarships are automatically awarded to eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons based solely on your admission average. No separate application is required.
University of Ottawa Admission Scholarship
This is the foundational Ottawa University scholarship for first-time university students entering a direct-entry faculty or the Civil Law section.
| Admission Average | Scholarship Value |
|---|---|
| 95% – 100% | $4,000 |
| 90% – 94.9% | $3,000 |
| 85% – 89.9% | $2,000 |
| 80% – 84.9% | $1,000 |
Eligibility Criteria:
- First-time university student enrolling full-time
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or refugee
- Enrolled in a direct-entry faculty or Faculty of Law (Civil Law section)
- Mature applicants and university transfers are not eligible
Renewal: This is a one-time first-year award. However, maintaining high grades unlocks the Merit Scholarship in subsequent terms.
Merit Scholarship (Continuing Students)
Once you are a current student, the Merit Scholarship rewards academic performance each term.
| Requirement | Award |
|---|---|
| Term Grade Point Average (TGPA) of 8.5+ (approx. 82.5%) | $1,000 per term |
| Civil Law students: TGPA of 7.5+ (approx. 77.5%) | $1,000 per term |
Key Details:
- Automatically assessed each term
- Up to $10,000 total over your degree
- Must be on the Dean’s Honour List
French Language and Bilingual Scholarships
As Canada’s largest bilingual university, uOttawa offers unique Ottawa University scholarships to encourage and support French-language studies.
French Studies Bursary
| Value | Renewable |
|---|---|
| $4,000 ($1,000 per year) | Yes, for up to 3 additional years |
Eligibility:
- Full-time student in a direct-entry faculty or Civil Law
- Enrolled each term in at least 3 courses (9 credits) taught in French, OR
- 2 courses (6 credits) taught in French if in the French Immersion Stream
- Maintain CGPA of 5.50+ annually for renewal
Application: Automatic—no separate application required.
Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second Language (FLS) Bursary
| Value | Deadline |
|---|---|
| $3,000 (one-time) | March 31 annually |
Eligibility:
- English first official language spoken
- Graduated from an English-language secondary school
- Enrolled full-time in a French program or French Immersion Stream
- Taking at least 6 credits (two courses) in French per term
Application: Required through the Online Scholarships and Bursaries portal.
International Student Scholarships
The University of Ottawa is committed to attracting top global talent. International students studying in English can access significant Ottawa University scholarships that make Canadian education more affordable.
International English Admission Scholarship
| Value | Renewable | Application |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 total ($7,500 per term) | Yes (up to 12 instalments) | Automatic |
Eligibility:
- International student with valid study permit
- Newly admitted to an English undergraduate program in: Arts, Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, Social Sciences, or Telfer School of Management
- Minimum admission average of 80%
- Full-time enrollment
Renewal Conditions:
- Remain enrolled full-time in an eligible faculty
- Valid for Winter 2026 admission and later
International English Academic Excellence Scholarship
| Value | Number of Awards | Renewable |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 ($5,000 per term) | 100 annually | No |
Eligibility:
- International student with valid study permit
- Minimum admission average of 90%
- Same faculty eligibility as above
- Can be combined with the International English Admission Scholarship
Indigenous Student Scholarships
Ottawa offers dedicated Ottawa University scholarships for Indigenous students demonstrating academic excellence and leadership.
Indigenous Leadership Scholarship
| Value | Renewable | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| $26,000 ($6,500 per year) or $19,500 for Civil Law | Yes (3 additional years) | March 31 |
Eligibility:
- Indigenous status (proof required)
- First-time full-time undergraduate student
- Minimum admission average of 85%
- Demonstrated leadership and community engagement
- Preference given to Indigenous language speakers
Renewal: Maintain CGPA of 8.50. Scholarship reduces to 50% for CGPA between 8.00–8.49.
Note: Cannot be combined with the University of Ottawa Admission Scholarship .
Graduate Level Scholarships
Graduate students have access to prestigious Ottawa University scholarships funded jointly by the province and the university.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
| Value | Duration |
|---|---|
| $10,000 (2 consecutive terms) | Minimum 1 year |
| $15,000 (3 consecutive terms) | Maximum 2 years (master’s) or 4 years (doctoral) |
Eligibility:
- Enrolled in master’s or doctoral program
- Full-time for 2+ terms
- Merit-based assessment by uOttawa
- Lifetime maximum: 6 academic years
Application:
- Applications typically available in October
- Contact the Graduate Studies Office for deadlines
- Separate application required for each Ontario university
Professional Training Scholarship
| Value | Eligible Programs |
|---|---|
| $1,000 minimum | Common Law, Education, Medicine (MD Program) |
Eligibility:
- Excellent academic record
- Full-time enrollment in eligible professional program
- Automatically considered
Prestigious and Leadership Scholarships
These competitive Ottawa University scholarships recognize outstanding leadership, community involvement, and academic excellence.
Schulich Leader Scholarship
| Value | Renewable | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000–$120,000 | Yes | January 29 |
Eligibility:
- Final year high school or CEGEP student
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Pursuing STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, entrepreneurship)
- Nominated by high school or CEGEP
Key Features:
- Focus on academic excellence, leadership, creativity, and financial need
- One of Canada’s most prestigious undergraduate awards
Loran Award
| Value | Application |
|---|---|
| Up to $100,000 | School nomination required |
Eligibility:
- Full-time graduating high school or CEGEP student
- Demonstrated determination, community engagement, and leadership
Check out more details on Loran Award: The complete guide to Loran Scholarship
Faculty-Specific Scholarships
Many faculties offer additional Ottawa University scholarships for high-achieving students.
Dean’s Merit Scholarship – Faculty of Engineering
| Admission Average | Value | Number of Awards |
|---|---|---|
| 95% – 100% | $5,000 | 35 annually |
| 90% – 94.9% | $4,000 | 35 annually |
Eligibility:
- First-time full-time undergraduate in Faculty of Engineering
- Minimum admission average of 90%
- Automatically considered
Faculty of Science Undergraduate Research Scholarship
| Value | Deadline |
|---|---|
| $11,500–$23,000 | March 15 |
Description:
- Renewable scholarship for Science students
- Supports undergraduate research experiences
How to Apply for Ottawa University Scholarships
Application Methods by Scholarship Type
| Scholarship Type | Application Required? | Process |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Admission Scholarships | No | Automatically assessed at admission |
| Merit Scholarship (continuing) | No | Assessed each term |
| French Studies Bursary | No | Automatic eligibility check |
| International English Scholarships | No | Automatic at admission |
| Indigenous Leadership Scholarship | Yes | Online application by March 31 |
| OGS (Graduate) | Yes | Graduate Studies Office application |
| Schulich Leader | Yes | High school nomination required |
| Loran Award | Yes | School nomination required |
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Apply for admission to the University of Ottawa
- Check your eligibility for automatic scholarships—no extra steps required
- For application-based awards: Use the Online Scholarships and Bursaries portal (accessible via uoZone after admission)
- Submit all materials by the stated deadline (typically March 31 for most awards)
- Monitor your uOttawa email for notification of awards
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA do you need to get a scholarship at Ottawa University?
For automatic admission scholarships, domestic students need a minimum 80% admission average. International students need 80% for the International English Admission Scholarship or 90% for the Academic Excellence Scholarship. Merit scholarships require a term GPA of 8.5 (approximately 82.5%) .
Does Ottawa University give full scholarships to international students?
Yes. The International English Admission Scholarship provides $60,000 over four years ($7,500 per term). While not covering full tuition, it significantly reduces costs. Combined with the International English Academic Excellence Scholarship ($10,000), international students can receive up to $70,000 .
How do I apply for the University of Ottawa admission scholarship?
No application is required. If you meet the eligibility criteria (Canadian citizen/permanent resident, first-time university student, minimum 80% admission average), you are automatically considered at the time of admission .
Are there scholarships for graduate students at uOttawa?
Yes. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is the primary graduate award, offering $10,000–$15,000 per year. Applications are processed through the Graduate Studies Office and typically open in October .
When is the deadline for most scholarships?
The general deadline for application-based undergraduate scholarships is March 31. Notable exceptions include Schulich Leader (January 29) and the Faculty of Science Research Scholarship (March 15) .
Can I combine multiple scholarships?
Yes, in most cases. The International English Academic Excellence Scholarship can be combined with the International English Admission Scholarship . However, the Indigenous Leadership Scholarship cannot be combined with the University of Ottawa Admission Scholarship .
Top Ottawa University Scholarships
| Scholarship Name | Student Type | Value | Renewable | Application | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Ottawa Admission | Domestic UG | $1,000–$4,000 | No | Automatic | N/A |
| Merit Scholarship | Domestic UG | $1,000/term | Yes (per term) | Automatic | N/A |
| French Studies Bursary | Domestic UG | $4,000 total | Yes | Automatic | N/A |
| International English Admission | International UG | $60,000 total | Yes | Automatic | N/A |
| International English Academic Excellence | International UG | $10,000 | No | Automatic | N/A |
| Indigenous Leadership | Indigenous UG | $26,000 total | Yes | Online | March 31 |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship | Graduate | $10,000–$15,000 | Yes | Application | Varies |
| Schulich Leader | STEM UG | $100,000–$120,000 | Yes | Nomination | January 29 |
| Dean’s Merit (Engineering) | Engineering UG | $4,000–$5,000 | No | Automatic | N/A |
For the most current information, consult these official sources
- University of Ottawa Financial Aid & Awards – Official scholarship portal
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program – Government graduate funding information
Note: Scholarship values, eligibility criteria, and deadlines are subject to change annually. Always verify details through the official University of Ottawa Financial Aid and Awards Service for the current application cycle.
