Applying for entrance awards is easy using McMaster’s AwardSpring platform. It takes only three steps.
Step 1: Activate your MacID and log in to AwardSpring
- Activate your MacID using the Barcode and Student (Person) ID Number in your Acknowledgement letter. It may take a few business days for your profile to connect to AwardSpring after applying on OUAC and logging into Mosaic for the first time.
- Read our AwardSpring guide to learn more about the platform.
- Log in to AwardSpring using your MacID@mcmaster.ca and password.
Step 2: Fill out the General Application
The General Application on AwardSpring asks for important information to match you with awards for which you’re eligible. We blanked out some sections that you don’t need, so feel free to skip them.
Step 3: Complete follow-ups to finish your award applications
Once you’ve submitted your General Application, you will find “Follow-Ups” on the Dashboard tab. Follow-ups are extra criteria like essays, referrals, etc. Complete the follow-ups for each award to apply for that award.
In the Scholarships section, you can view all your submitted applications and any automatic awards. The Applied in AwardSpring status means that your application was received by the deadline and is eligible for further review. Some awards are forwarded to a committee for final selection.
Uploading documents:
Please combine your documents into one PDF and ensure there are no foreign characters in the file name as it will prevent the file from opening.
Please export, save or print the file as a PDF document to your computer, then upload to AwardSpring.
Need to make a change?
Students can edit their applications until the deadline. To do so, navigate to the Scholarship section and use the “Applied” filter. This will display all your submitted applications. You can then revise and resubmit your application.
After you apply
Make sure you add “mcmaster.awardspring.ca” to your Safe Senders List on your McMaster email account. Regularly check your McMaster email account for feedback on your award applications. Successful applicants will be notified of an award offer via their McMaster email.
An award offer depends on an offer(s) of admission and may have one or more award conditions attached (e.g. enrolment in a specific program). Award offers will be displayed in the Mosaic applicant portal.
Have technical questions about AwardSpring? Ask us here!
Not technical? Reach out to our Student Services Professionals.
Entrance awards come in two types:
- Automatic awards do not require an application.
- Note that students can be eligible for either the McMaster University Award of Excellence or the Faculty-specific Achievement Award.
- Awards by application require you to complete an application in McMaster’s AwardSpring platform. For more information on AwardSpring, select the “How to Apply” tab.
Note: Visa student refers to students who are paying international tuition fees.
Find Entrance Awards with the Funds Finder
Our Funds Finder tool lets you filter through McMaster’s many scholarship and bursary opportunities. Select the following button and choose “Entrance” under “Award Type” to see all of our entrance awards. You can refine your search even further by selecting your student type, program and more!
The automatic awards listed below are for students entering McMaster in September 2025.
The McMaster University Award of Excellence
- Value: $3000
- Eligibility:
- Students admitted full-time on the basis of high school admission requirements and entering Level 1 of their first baccalaureate degree program.
- A final admission average as determined by your Faculty.
- This award does not require an application.
| Faculty | 2025-2026 Admission Average |
| Arts & Science | TBD |
| Faculty of Engineering | |
| Btech | 90.00% + |
| Engineering | 97.00% + |
| Computer Science | 97.00% + |
| iBioMed | 98.00% + |
| Faculty of Business | 92.00% + |
| Faculty of Health Sciences | TBD |
| Faculty of Humanities | 94.00 % + |
| Faculty of Science | 97.00% + |
| Faculty of Social Science | 93.00% + |
| Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement | 95.00% + |
*Please note that admission averages are not rounded. All the terms and regulations for entrance awards can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Faculty-Specific Achievement Awards
- Value: $1000
- Eligibility:
- Students admitted full-time on the basis of high school admission requirements and entering Level 1 of their first baccalaureate degree program.
- A minimum final admission average as determined by your Faculty:
| Faculty | 2025-26 Admission Average |
| Humanities | 90% – 93.99 % |
| Social Sciences | 90% – 92.99 % |
Note: Scholarship offers are projected based on your admission average at the time of your application. Your scholarship offer is conditional pending receipt of your final grades from OUAC.
Eligible students will receive either the Award of Excellence or the Faculty-specific Achievement Award.
Faculty-Administered Awards
DeGroote School of Business
Incoming domestic high school students entering DeGroote School of Business will be eligible for the following entrance awards. These awards are automatic and do not require an application. Administered by DeGroote School of Business.
DeGroote School of Business Deans Achievement Award
- Value: $1000
- Eligibility: An entrance award for domestic high school students entering Business 1/IBH with an final admission average of 88.00% to 89.99%. Administered by the Faculty of Business.
The DeGroote School of Business Deans Entrance Award
- Value: $2000
- Eligibility: An entrance award for domestic high school students entering Business 1/IBH with an final admission average of 90 % to 91.99%. Administered by the Faculty of Business
DeGroote School of Business Award of Excellence
- Value: $2000
- Eligibility: An entrance award for domestic high school students entering Business 1/IBH with an final admission average of 95.00% or higher. Administered by the Faculty of Business
Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement Entrance Scholarship
The Wilson College Entrance Award was made possible by Chancellor Emeritus Lynton “Red” Wilson to support the development of Canada’s next generation of civic and community leaders. This award is automatic and does not require an application.
- Value: $1500
- Eligibility: International and domestic students admitted on the basis of high school admission requirements and entering Level 1 with Leadership and Civic Studies I.
Please visit your Faculty website for information on Faculty-administered award opportunities.
Domestic students are eligible for one entrance bursary, one entrance award by application and one automatic entrance award as well as multiple financial awards.
Bursaries and Financial Awards
Access Award
Established in 2019, the Access Award creates a pathway for academically qualified students from equity deserving groups in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe area to access post-secondary education. In addition to financial assistance, students will have access to support and mentorship opportunities that will help position them for work and life success. Up to $20,000 per year in aid and award funding towards tuition, compulsory fees, books, equipment and living costs and 1 guaranteed McMaster University work experience. Renewable for up to 4 years. Apply on AwardSpring by February 19th, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.
The Marjorie Anderson Financial Award
This award for Indigenous Students was established 2017 by McMaster University in honour of Marjorie Anderson (Class of ’35), from the Six Nations of the Grand River, who was the first Indigenous woman to graduate from McMaster. This financial award is part of the University’s recognition and connection to Indigenous communities. Valued at $80,000 (4 years at $20,000). Applications are due on April 30, 2024. For further details and for more Indigenous Scholarships and Bursaries, visit the website.
Entrance Bursary
The Undergraduate Entrance Bursary application is open to incoming Level 1 students who are Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents or Refugees entering McMaster for their first baccalaureate undergraduate degree program (excluding Mohawk McMaster) who demonstrate financial need. Amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000. Apply on AwardSpring by February 19th, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.
Awards
University Wide Entrance Awards by Application –the following awards use the same application on AwardSpring. Apply by February 19th, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.
The McMaster Brighter World Entrance Award was established in 2020 by McMaster University to celebrate the achievements of Black students entering an undergraduate program, with 50 valued at $5,000.
University wide donor awards including the The Ashbaugh Scholarship, The Dundas Scholarship, The George and Nora Elwin Scholarship, and The A.G. Reilly Scholarship with a minimum of 28 valued at $5,000
Check out the Funds Finder or University Calendar for the many additional awards and bursaries available to incoming domestic students.
Faculty Specific Entrance Awards
Apply on AwardSpring for Faculty specific entrance awards by application.
For details – visit their websites.
Loran Award
The Loran Scholars Foundation looks beyond grades to identify values-driven youth who demonstrate strength of character, a deep commitment to service, and exceptional leadership potential.
Offered in partnership with 25 Canadian universities, the Loran Award and renewable for up to four years of undergraduate studies. But it’s not just about financial support: It’s about personal growth. Loran Scholars benefit from a four-year leadership-enrichment program, financial support for undergraduate studies in the form of a tuition waiver and living stipend, diverse opportunities for experiential learning, one-on-one mentorship from a business or community leader, scholar gatherings, and a long-term community of peers, alumni, and supporters from coast to coast to coast.
Financial support includes:
- An annual living stipend of $12,000
- A tuition waiver of up to $12,000 annually, tenable at one of our partner universities
- Up to $14,000 for the summer experiential learning program
Applicants not selected for a Loran Award are still eligible for a one-time entrance award of $6,000 for Loran Finalists or $3,000 for Loran Provincial and Territorial Awards.
To determine your eligibility for this award and to begin the application process, visit LoranScholars.ca.
Eligibility Criteria
High school Students
- Be entering university for the first time in September 2025.
- Present a minimum cumulative average of 85%.
- Hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.
- Be born between January 1, 2003 and September 1, 2009.
CEGEP Students
- Be in your last year of CEGEP before entering university studies.
- Be entering university for the first time in September 2025.
- Present an R score equal to or higher than 29.
- Hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.
- Be born between January 1, 2003 and September 1, 2009.
With over $20 million in awards for international fee paying undergraduate students, ranging from $7,500-$210,000, your aspirations to pursue a world-class degree and shape the future are within reach.
Congratulations! You’ve received a scholarship offer with your offer of admission. Here’s what you need to know:
All the terms and regulations for entrance awards can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Note: Visa student refers to students who are paying international tuition fees.
A conditional entrance award offer means the value of your award may be adjusted or cancelled based on your final admission average.
A final entrance award offer means the scholarship is guaranteed once you register as a full-time student in the fall term.
Your conditional scholarship offer was made based on your GPA at the time of your application to McMaster. If your final course grades that form the basis for admission to the Level I program change, your scholarship offer may be impacted.
If your admission average goes up:
If you were offered the Faculty-specific Achievement Award and your final course grades that form the basis for admission to the Level I program go up to be within the top 10% for your incoming class, you will be eligible for the McMaster University Award of Excellence instead.
If you did not receive an initial scholarship offer but your final course grades that form the basis for admission to the Level I program meet the cut-off for either the Faculty-specific Achievement Award or the McMaster University Award of Excellence, you will be automatically awarded.
If your admission average goes down:
If your final course grades that form the basis for admission to the Level I program go down and you are longer within the top 10% of your incoming class for the McMaster University Award of Excellence, you may still be eligible for the Faculty-specific Achievement Award if you meet the cut-off.
If you were offered the Faculty-specific Achievement Award and your final admission average does not meet the cut-off, you will no longer be eligible for the award.
Note: you can only be eligible for either the Award of Excellence or the Faculty-specific Achievement Award.
By submitting your application for Government Student Aid by June 30, you will give us the opportunity to verify your financial situation and guarantee that there will be funding available for September.
Any bursary based on financial need will be OSAP exempt (meaning that will not affect your OSAP assessment), and you should not report it on your OSAP application. We will report the bursary for you. Please check your province’s reporting requirements if you are an out-of-province student receiving government student aid.
Did you receive an entrance award offer from your Faculty? Please visit your Faculty’s scholarship website for more information.
Dates & deadlines
Here’s the timeline for most entrance awards and bursaries:
| Applications open | November 1, 2024 |
| Entrance award application deadline | February 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Bursary application deadline | February 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Review period | Mid-March – Mid-April |
| Decision notification | Mid-April – May |
| Award payment | Mid-September (after add/drop deadline) |
Entrance awards in your student account
End-August to mid-September – Beginning at the end of August, your award(s) will be listed as ‘pending aid’ on your account summary, updated continuously until mid-September.
Mid-September – The value of the award will disappear from pending aid. Over the next few days, “pending aid” will be removed and the deposit will be complete. Please allow 5-7 business days for the transaction to be reflected in your student account.
Entrance scholarships are automatically credited to your student account to pay any fees owing after the add/drop deadline.
If you have paid all of your tuition fees, the remaining balance of your award will be deposited into your personal bank account. McMaster now issues refunds via Interac E-transfer. Learn more about refunds.
Entrance Award FAQs
Am I automatically considered for all entrance awards?
No. While you don’t need to apply for automatic awards, you will need to apply to awards that match your eligibility.
Am I eligible for more than one automatic entrance award?
Students can be eligible for either the McMaster University Award of Excellence or the Faculty-specific Achievement Award.
Can I get help with AwardSpring?
Yes! Our AwardSpring guide walks you through everything you need to know.
Offer Letter FAQs
When will I know if there are any changes to my award offer?
Admission averages are re-calculated in August after the receipt of all final grades from OUAC. Awards are typically adjusted between the end of August to mid-September.
I didn’t receive a scholarship offer, what are my options?
You still have options!
Increasing your average to the automatic award cut-off will make you eligible for automatic awards.
You can also apply for awards on AwardSpring and through external sources.
Next Steps FAQs
Why did my pending aid disappear from my account summary in Mosaic?
Once we initiate the deposit of the award, its value will disappear from “Pending Aid” in Mosaic. Over the course of a day or two, the pending aid is removed and the deposit is completed. Please allow sufficient time for the transaction to complete and the funds to display on your account.
What if I have a credit on my account because of my award?
Your entrance award will be deposited into your student account towards your tuition and fees. If there are funds left over, you can request a payment to your personal account.
