General Statements on Awards

The Senate of the University of Guelph is charged with the responsibility "to deal with all matters arising in connection with the awarding of fellowships, scholarships, bursaries, medals, prizes and other awards" (University of Guelph Act) and the administration and oversight of these functions has been delegated to the Student Awards Office, Student Financial Services. In carrying out these responsibilities, Senate has established various policies regarding awards and scholarships, and approves the terms and conditions attached to such awards.  Each College has a College Awards Committee, which is responsible for the awarding of scholarships and prizes in the programs under its authority. In addition, the Student Awards Office, Student Financial Services, is responsible for evaluating the financial need component for awards requiring the demonstration of financial need, the selection of bursary recipients, the selections for awards that are not college-specific, and the selections for entrance awards. Some scholarships and bursaries are open to all students regardless of degree or diploma program and others are restricted to students in particular degree programs/majors/ or departments. 

A full listing of available awards and financial aid programs can be found on the Student Financial Services website: https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/studentfinance/.

Eligibility for Entrance Scholarships and Bursaries: To be eligible for entrance scholarships and bursaries, you must be entering the 1st semester of post-secondary studies for the first time.

Eligibility for Incourse Scholarships and Bursaries: To be eligible for in-course scholarships and bursaries, you must be registered in an academic term and meet the criterion stipulated in the award terms and conditions. A minimum of 70% cumulative average is required to be eligible for and to receive a 'scholarship'; whereas, there is no minimum average requirement to apply for or to receive a 'bursary'. Bursaries are awarded strictly on the basis of financial need as determined by Student Financial Services. Where applications are required, it is the student's responsibility to follow the method of application listed in the award description. Non-Canadian citizens or non-permanent residents are not eligible to apply for incourse bursaries; however, after the completion of one full year of studies, are eligible to apply for an International student bursary.

Eligibility for Travel Grants: To be eligible for travel grants, students must be participating in a curriculum-embedded travel opportunity and meet the additional criterion stipulated in the award terms and conditions.

Eligibility for Prizes and Medals: To be eligible for prizes and medals, you must demonstrate completed achievement as stipulated in the award terms and conditions with no requirement to further engage in study.

Eligibility for ACCESS Awards: The University established an endowment fund through generous donor contributions and has been matched by the provincial government's Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund (OSOTF) program and the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS). The income generated from these endowments will be used to support financial aid programs. The awards created will be used to assist Canadian citizens or permanent residents who meet the Ontario residency requirements as mandated by the OSOTF/OTSS program. Students must complete a Financial Need Assessment Form in order to be considered and meet the following Ontario Government Mandated Terms for an OSOTF/OTSS Award:

1. be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
2. be a Ontario resident as defined by
   1. have lived in Ontario for a period of at least 12 consecutive months up to the beginning of full-time post-secondary study; or
   2. the student's spouse has lived in Ontario for at least 12 consecutive months up to the beginning of the current year full-time post-secondary study period; or
   3. the student's parent(s)/stepparent(s)/legal guardian/official sponsor has lived in Ontario for at least 12 consecutive months up to the beginning of the current year full-time post-secondary study period;
3. financial need as determined by the University of Guelph's Financial Need Assessment procedures.

Definitions

Award: Generic term used to refer to any type of non-repayable award. These include scholarships, bursaries, travel grants, prizes, and medals.

Bursary: A monetary award provided to a student solely on the basis of financial need.

Scholarship: An award provided on the basis of previous academic performance and given for further study. While the merit component is normally academic, it may include such non-academic aspects such as leadership, demonstrated originality, and community service. Scholarships can be monetary, prizes, or medals.

Prize or Medal: An award based on completed academic achievement that does not require the recipient to engage in further study. Most often awarded at graduation.

Travel Grant: These grants are provided to students who wish to travel as part of their program of study. Travel grant applications are accepted in advance of the travel opportunity and not as a reimbursement after the fact.

Procedures

Award Payments: Awards will be applied directly to the student's financial account and can be viewed on WebAdvisor.

Award recipients who withdraw or drop courses: Students who receive an award and who withdraw from the semester in which the award is received, or change the number of credits in which they are registered, may have their award cancelled or value adjusted. This adjustment will be calculated up to the twentieth class day according to the refund schedule in effect for that semester, as well as the published terms and conditions for the award. Bursary recipients will be reassessed to determine their eligible bursary value.

OSAP Students: Do not report U of G awards on your OSAP application. The University will report awards to OSAP on your behalf. If you believe there is a discrepancy, contact Student Financial Services. It is the responsibility of each OSAP applicant to ensure their OSAP application is correct.

Notice of Disclosure: It is understood that merit award winners' names will be released to donors and may be published as a condition of the award.

The University reserves the right to amend awards subject to the availability of funds.

Other Forms of Financial Assistance

OpenEd and Educational Support Awards

Information can be found at: Financial Assistance - UofG OpenEd (uoguelph.ca)

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

Students who meet the Ontario residence requirements and who require financial assistance to attend the University, should consider applying to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) online at osap.gov.on.ca. More information can be found by visiting: Student Financial Services | Office of Registrarial Services (uoguelph.ca)

Out of Province Student Assistance Programs

Students who are bona fide residents of a province outside of Ontario and who require financial assistance to attend the University should apply to their home province or territory for financial assistance. More information can be found by visiting:  Student Financial Services | Office of Registrarial Services (uoguelph.ca)