Scholarships and Student Aid
The Scholarships and Student Aid Office offers a complete range of merit and need-based awards for entering and in-course undergraduate students. As well, the office administers all federal, provincial, and U.S. government student aid programs. For information and links to government websites as well as comprehensive information concerning all undergraduate awards appearing in the Undergraduate Scholarships and Awards Calendar, see Scholarships and Student Aid.
Entrance Awards for McGill Students
Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships are available to students entering McGill University for the first time in a full-time undergraduate degree program.
You should consult mcgill.ca/studentaid/scholarships-aid/future-undergrads/entrance-scholarships for details. Highlights include:
- Entrance Scholarships are entirely merit-based; financial need is not considered.
- Value ranges from $3,000 to $12,000.
- There are two types: the One-Year, where eligibility is based solely on academic achievement; and the renewable Major, based on academic achievement as well as leadership qualities in school and/or community activities.
Application Procedures
- One-Year Scholarships: by applying to McGill, all eligible applicants who meet the minimum academic requirements are automatically considered. No separate application is required. For more information, see mcgill.ca/studentaid/scholarships-aid/future-undergrads/entrance-scholarships/criteria.
- Major (renewable) Scholarships: candidates can apply on the web by the scholarship deadline dates after their application for admission has been submitted and they have received an email acknowledgment.
- You must ensure that you send in all required supporting documentation; please refer to mcgill.ca/studentaid/scholarships-aid/future-undergrads/entrance-scholarships/application-instructions.
- The Faculties of Dentistry, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Music administer their own entrance award programs. Applicants should inquire at their respective faculty's admissions office regarding availability and procedures.
- If you hold a renewable scholarship from the Committee on Enrolment and Student Affairs, the scholarship is renewed only if you meet the McGill standards for renewal. See mcgill.ca/studentaid/scholarships-aid/regulations-responsibilities/regulations.
Need-Based Entrance Financial Aid
This program offers financial aid to students from families of modest means who require assistance to attend McGill. Upon acceptance to the University, first-year, undergraduate degree students can apply for an entrance bursary on Minerva. Entrance bursaries range in value and are determined by the level of need demonstrated by the student/family and the tuition fee rate charged based on student residency and program of study. Since financial need is the primary factor in the selection of aid recipients, applicants for this program are expected to apply for government student aid programs where eligible. For more information, see mcgill.ca/studentaid.
In-Course Awards for McGill Students
Faculty scholarships and awards are decided by the faculty scholarships committees. You should consult the appropriate section of the Undergraduate Scholarships and Awards Calendar for regulations and information concerning these awards at mcgill.ca/studentaid/scholarships-aid/current-undergrads.
- Most undergraduate scholarships and awards are granted on the basis of the combined GPA for the Fall and Winter terms (i.e., your sessional GPA), or a ranking in the top 1 to 5% of the faculty, subject to the faculty's budget. Applications are not required unless specifically indicated in the terms of an award.
- To be considered for in-course awards, you must complete at least 27 graded credits in the regular academic year unless otherwise stated by your Faculty. Courses completed under the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) option, and Summer courses, are not considered. Program content and number of credits may also be considered.
- Up to a maximum of 6 credits from courses taken at other Quebec universities through the Inter-University Transfer (IUT) agreement can be counted toward the requirements for scholarship renewal or for consideration for other academic awards. Eligibility is based on all courses taken during the regular academic year, on both the McGill GPA and the global GPA, which includes the IUT credits. Please consult mcgill.ca/students/iut.
- You should review all regulations regarding in-course awards by consulting mcgill.ca/studentaid/scholarships-aid/regulations-responsibilities/regulations.
- A maximum of the top 10% of students in each faculty are named to the Dean's Honour List. This designation is based on the combined GPA for the Fall and Winter terms (i.e., your sessional GPA) and the minimum required combined GPA is determined by each faculty. It is an official University recognition of your achievements and appears on your transcript. There is no monetary reward.
- All awards, with the exception of convocation prizes, are credited to students' tuition fee accounts for the following academic year. Students must be registered on a full-time basis to receive the funds.
- If you hold a renewable scholarship from the Committee on Enrolment and Student Affairs, it will only be renewed if you meet the McGill standards for renewal. See mcgill.ca/studentaid/scholarships-aid/regulations-responsibilities/regulations for details.
- If you are struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Scholarships and Student Aid Office (SSAO) for guidance.
In-Course Financial Aid
The University offers an In-Course Financial Aid program to full-time undergraduate degree students on the basis of demonstrated financial need. This aid includes bursaries, short- and long-term loans, and a Work Study Program. To be considered for McGill financial aid, the University recommends that applicants apply for the maximum government student assistance for which they are eligible. The Scholarships and Student Aid Office oversees all provincial, federal, and U.S. student aid programs and disburses government funds.
Student Aid Counsellors are available for consultation on an individual basis to provide advice on budgeting and debt management, and to award financial assistance to needy and deserving students. For more information, see mcgill.ca/studentaid.
The Work Study Program provides students with financial assistance through part-time employment on campus. Students are accepted into the program based primarily on financial need, though Academic Standing is also considered. There are a variety of Work Study positions available, ranging from clerical work in an administrative office to research with a professor. In addition to helping you cope with your financial obligations, Work Study also provides practical work experience that may enhance future employment opportunities.
Further information is available on McGill's Work Study website at mcgill.ca/studentaid/work-study and at the Scholarships and Student Aid Office:
William & Mary Brown Student Services Building
3600 McTavish Street, Suite 3200
Montreal QC H3A 0G3
Canada
Email: work.study@mcgill.ca
Website: mcgill.ca/studentaid/work-study
Student Aid
Telephone: 514-398-6013
Email: student.aid@mcgill.ca
Website: mcgill.ca/studentaid
Scholarships
Telephone: 514-398-6013
Email: scholarships@mcgill.ca
Website: mcgill.ca/studentaid/scholarships-aid