Entrance Awards

Here are all the entrance awards available to incoming McMaster students.

Automatic Entrance Scholarships (no application necessary!)

The listed admission cut-offs are for the 2023-2024 entering class.

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 in the top 10% of your Faculty.
- This award does not require an application.

*Listed admission cut-offs are estimated and subject to change pending the calculation of final admission averages.

Faculty	2022-2023 Estimated Top 10% Admission Averages*
Arts & Science	99%+
DeGroote School of Business	95%+
Engineering	98%+
Health Sciences	99%+
Humanities	94%+
Science	98%+
Social Sciences	94%+

Faculty-Specific Achievement Awards

Value: varies by faculty/program
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	2022-2023 Admission Average	Value
Arts & Science	93%+	$1000
DeGroote School of Business	90%+	$1000
Engineering	95%+	$3000
Health Sciences	94%+	$1000
Humanities	90%+	$1000
Science	94%+	$1000
Social Sciences	90%+	$1000

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 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.

The DeGroote School of Business Deans Entrance Award

Value: $500
Eligibility: High school students entering Business 1 with an average of 90% to 91.99%.

DeGroote School of Business Deans Achievement Award

Value: $1500
Eligibility: High school students entering Business 1 with an average of 92% to 94.99%.

DeGroote School of Business Award of Excellence

Value: $2000
Eligibility: High school students entering Business 1 with an average of 95% or better. Administered by the Faculty of Business.

Faculty of Engineering

B.Tech. Entrance Scholarship

Value: $2000
Eligibility: International and domestic students with a final average of 90% or higher.

Please visit your Faculty website for information on Faculty-administered award opportunities.

Awards for Indigenous Students

Marjorie Anderson Financial Award for Indigenous Students

This award was established in 2017 in honour of Marjorie Anderson (Class of ’35) of the Six Nations of the Grand River territory, who was the first Indigenous woman to graduate from McMaster.

Value: $80,000 ($20,000 per year)
Eligibility:
- Self-identify as Inuit or as Status/Non-status First Nations from the Six Nations of the Grand River or the Mississauga of the New Credit
- Entering a degree program at McMaster in 2023-24
Criteria:
- Minimum admission average: 75%
- Demonstrate financial need
- An AwardSpring application that includes:
  - Essay describing the influence that your Indigenous heritage has on your volunteer activities, leadership opportunities, university program choice, career path or other community involvement (1-2 pages).
  - A reference letter from a non-family member
Deadline: End of April, 2023

Awards for International Students

International Renewable Entrance Awards

Value:
- Ten awards given at $20,000 (paid over 4 years)
- Five awards given at $10,000 (paid over 4 years)
Eligibility: Students admitted full-time on the basis of high school admission requirements and entering Level 1 of their first baccalaureate degree program.
Criteria:
- Apply for these entrance awards via the “entrance awards by application” opportunity in AwardSpring after you receive your MacID.
- An AwardSpring application that includes:
  - A short essay describing the accomplishments you are most proud of to date. You may choose to write about your accomplishments in schooling (academic or non-academic), employment, community service (including service to family) or extra-curricular activities
  - A reference letter
Deadline: February 21, 2023 at 9 a.m. (ET)

Provost Entrance Scholarship for International Students

Value: $7500 (up to 20 awards available per year)
Eligibility: International visa students admitted full-time on the basis of high school admission requirements and entering Level 1 of their first baccalaureate degree program.
Criteria:
- Apply for these entrance awards via the “entrance awards by application” opportunity in AwardSpring after you receive your MacID.
- An AwardSpring application which includes:
  - Short essay describing the accomplishments you are most proud of to date. You may choose to write about your accomplishments in schooling (academic or non-academic), employment, community service (including service to family) or extra-curricular activities
  - A reference letter
Deadline: February 21, 2023 at 9 a.m. (ET)

The Woo Family International Entrance Scholarships

Established in 1999 by Mr. Chung How Woo in honour of his late wife, Mrs. Ching Yung Chiu-Woo, mother and mother-in-law of four McMaster graduates.

Value: $3,000 per student (variable number of awards each year)
Eligibility: International visa students admitted full-time on the basis of high school admission requirements and entering Level 1 of their first baccalaureate degree program.
Criteria:
- Students are automatically considered for this award once enrolled at McMaster for the upcoming fall term
- Awards are based on final admission averages

The McMaster Chinese Alumni – Peter George International Entrance Scholarships

Established in 1999 by Chinese Alumni (Toronto Chapter) of McMaster University.

Value: $3000 per student (variable number awards each year)
Eligibility: International visa students admitted full-time on the basis of high school admission requirements and entering Level 1 of their first baccalaureate degree program.
Criteria:
- Students are automatically considered for this award once enrolled at McMaster for the upcoming fall term.
- Awards are based on final admission averages.

Faculty of Engineering Entrance Awards

Entrance awards administered by the Faculty of Engineering. For more information visit the Faculty of Engineering undergraduate entrance awards page.

Dean’s Global Distinction Scholarship

Value: $7,500 x 4 years
Eligibility: Any incoming Level 1 Faculty of Engineering program
Criteria: Apply on AwardSpring
Deadline to apply: February 21, 2023 at 9 a.m. (ET)

Engineering International Scholar Award

One-time entrance award for incoming international students to our Engineering 1 program

Value: $10,000
Eligibility: Incoming international students to Engineering 1 program
Criteria: Applied automatically

iBioMed International Scholar Award

Value: $10,000
Eligibility: Incoming international students to Integrated Biomedical Engineering (iBioMed) program
Criteria: Applied automatically

Specialty Scholarships

Application-based entrance awards

Prospective students can apply for these entrance awards via the “entrance awards by application” opportunity in AwardSpring after they receive their MacID.

Available awards:
- The Ashbaugh Scholarships
- The Dundas Scholarships*
- The George and Nora Elwin Scholarship
- The A.G. Reilly Scholarships

Value: $5,000 (up to 28 awards available)
Eligibility: Students admitted full-time on the basis of high school admission requirements and entering Level 1 of their first baccalaureate degree program.
Criteria:
- An AwardSpring application that includes:
  - Short essay describing the accomplishments you are most proud of to date. You may choose to write about your accomplishments in schooling (academic or non-academic), employment, community service (including service to family) or extra-curricular activities
  - A reference letter
Deadline: February 21, 2023 at 9 a.m. (ET)

*preference is given to students from Dundas and the surrounding area for The Dundas Scholarships.

The Access Award

Established in 2019, the Access Award creates a pathway for academically qualified students from equity deserving groups in the 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 success.

Value: Up to $20,000 per year towards tuition, compulsory fees, books, equipment and living costs and one guaranteed McMaster University work experience. Tenable for up to four years.
Eligibility for Award:
- Students from equity deserving groups in the Golden Horseshoe area
- Demonstrate financial need
Criteria:
- An AwardSpring application which includes:
  - Short essay questions detailing the barriers to accessing post-secondary education you are facing and your desire to attend McMaster
  - A reference letter
Deadline: February 21, 2023 at 9 a.m. (ET)

More information on McMaster Access Strategy

The McMaster Brighter World Entrance Award

Established in 2020 by McMaster University to celebrate the achievements of Black students entering an undergraduate program.

Value: $5,000 (a variable number of scholarships available)
Eligibility for Award: Must be a self-identified Black student admitted full-time on the basis of high school admission requirements and entering Level 1 of their first baccalaureate degree program.
Criteria:
- Apply for these entrance awards via the “entrance awards by application” opportunity in AwardSpring after you receive your MacID.
- An AwardSpring application which includes:
  - Short essay describing the accomplishments you are most proud of to date. You may choose to write about your accomplishments in schooling (academic or non-academic), employment, community service (including service to family) or extra-curricular activities.
  - A reference letter
Deadline: February 21, 2023 at 9 a.m. (ET)

The Reese Fallon Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2018 in honour of Reese Fallon.

Value: $2000
Eligibility for Award: To be awarded to students entering Level 1 in the School of Nursing who graduated from a Toronto District High School and want to make a difference at McMaster and beyond.
Criteria:
- An AwardSpring application which includes:
  - Short essay describing a time in your life where you had a positive impact on your family, school or community. No impact is too big or too small.
  - A reference letter
Deadline: March 20, 2023 at 11:59 pm (ET)

The Faculty of Humanities Entrance Awards

Value: $1200-$5000 (a variable number of scholarships available)
Eligibility for Award: Eligible candidates must enter McMaster’s Humanities I, iArts (Integrated Arts) or Music program with a minimum admission average set by the Faculty.
Criteria:
- An AwardSpring application which includes:
  - a short essay (up to 250 words); or
  - a two-minute video
Deadline: April 17, 2023 at 11:59 pm (ET)

Loran Award

Merit-based award to find and nurture young Canadians who show strength of character and commitment to service and leadership potential, challenging them to realize their full promise.

Value: Approximately $100,000 over four years of undergraduate studies (includes tuition waiver and $10,000 annual stipend)
Eligibility for Award:
- Be in your final year of uninterrupted full-time studies in high school or CEGEP (If you are planning to attend university outside of Quebec after only one year of CEGEP, you can apply in your first year of CEGEP)
- At least 16 years old by Sept. 1 of the following year
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Criteria:
- High school students: Present a minimum cumulative average of 85%
- CEGEP students: Present an R score equal to or higher than 29

2023–2024 applications will open after Labour Day and close mid-October 2022

Learn more about the Loran Award, including full eligibility requirements, award inclusion and how to apply.

Schulich Leader Scholarships

Value: Up to $100,000 – $120,000 over four years
Eligibility for Award:
- Entering an eligible Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) program.
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Must be selected as high school’s nominee (Canadian schools only)
Criteria:
- Awarded to the top entrepreneurial-minded STEM students that demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, creativity and charisma.
- Strong consideration will be given to students with financial need.

Learn more about the Schulich Leader Scholarship, including full eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Meet McMaster’s newest Schulich leaders

Entrance Bursaries

New – McMaster Entrance Bursaries

Valued at $500 to $2,500 (varies by financial need)
Eligibility:
- Incoming Level 1 students who are Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents or Refugees entering McMaster for their first baccalaureate undergraduate degree program (excluding Mohawk McMaster and Conestoga McMaster Nursing)
- Demonstrate financial need through Government Student Aid Programs such as OSAP
Deadline: Applications open November 1, 2022 and close February 21, 2023 at 9 a.m. (ET)
Notification of decisions in spring 2023

Be sure to submit your 2023/24 OSAP application by June 30 and complete all documentation requirements no later than July 31.

Important information

Complete your OSAP application by June 30th to ensure you have access to any additional financial supports for which you may be eligible. It will also ensure available funding is in place for September.
Your Entrance Bursary does not need to be reported as income on your OSAP application as it is a need-based award. Any other external or McMaster awards (e.g. The McMaster University Award of Excellence) must be reported as income on your OSAP application.
Recipients must be enrolled in a full time course load.

General Entrance Award FAQs

Do I have to apply to be considered for entrance awards?

You don’t need to apply for automatic awards.

Awards by application require an application and are given to students who meet certain criteria. You can apply for these awards on AwardSpring after you’ve applied to McMaster and have activated your MacID.

When do I find out if I’m getting an automatic award?

Automatic entrance award offers are given on a rolling basis as grades are uploaded to OUAC.

Awards by application open in AwardSpring in November of each year and decisions are made from March to May.

You will receive an email notification to your McMaster email if you get an automatic award.

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.

Apply Now using AwardSpring – Aid & Awards made simple

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.
Log in to AwardSpring using your MacID and password.

Step 2: Start your application

Complete your Common Application on AwardSpring. We blanked out some sections that you don’t need, so feel free to skip them.

Tip: You can go back and update your answers as needed until the deadline date! You won’t be able to click submit until all the required questions in each sections are complete.

Step 3: Apply for entrance awards

Once you’ve submitted your common application, access your Dashboard to find a personalized list of awards that require an application or follow-up. Click on each opportunity to apply!

In the Scholarships section, you can view all the awards you’ve submitted an application to or will be automatically considered for by filtering the status. 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 save your documents as 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.

Step 4: Monitor your Dashboard and McMaster email for updates

Be sure to add mcmaster.awardspring.ca to your ‘safe senders list.’ 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.

Entrance Award Timelines

Review Period	Early March – Mid-March
Decision Notification	Mid-March– April
Award Payment	Mid-September (after add/drop deadline)

Have questions about AwardSpring? Ask us here!

AwardSpring FAQs

What do the status fields on the Scholarships tab in AwardSpring mean?

Applied: Your application is complete and submitted.

Denied: You no longer meet General Bursary Program eligibility requirements.

Approved: If you continue to meet all eligibility requirements when the application period closes in January, your application status will appear as Awarded ($1). This is not a guarantee but indicates your application is getting a final assessment.

Can I make changes to an application I submitted?

You can make changes to your submitted application(s) up until the deadline. Simply find your “Applied” awards in the Scholarships tab, make your edits and hit resubmit!

Why does the application status say “Closed” after I’ve submitted my application?

Once the application deadline date has passed, the status of an award will be listed as “Closed.”

You can find all your awards listed under the Scholarships Tab with an “Applied” status, including automatic awards.

Keep monitoring your dashboard for new updates and add mcmaster.awardspring.ca to your ‘safe senders’ list.

How do I combine multiple documents into one pdf to upload to AwardSpring?

How to Combine PDFs:

Software that is capable of combining PDFs
- APPLE GUIDE
- WINDOWS COMPUTERS USE ADOBE ACROBAT PRO
Scan all your documents together to create one pdf.
Take screenshots, paste them in a Word document and save as a pdf.

Please do not password protect your pdf documents.

Why are the Academic Information, Financial Information and Qualification questions sections blank?

To avoid any confusion, we’ve blanked out the sections that aren’t needed for your application. So feel free to skip those!

When will I find out if I’ll receive a scholarship and get the payment?

Below is the entrance award timeline for most awards.

Application Deadline	February 20
Review Period	Mid-March – Mid-April
Decision Notification	Mid-April – May
Award Payment	Mid-September (after add/drop deadline)

Congratulations! You’ve received a scholarship offer with your offer of admission. Here’s what you need to know:

Award Terms and regulations

All the terms and regulations for entrance awards can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Final vs Conditional offers

A conditional entrance award offer means the value of your award may be adjusted/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.

What happens if my GPA changes?

Your conditional scholarship offer was made based on your GPA at the time of your application to McMaster. If your final admission average changes, your scholarship offer may be impacted.

If your admission average goes up:

If you were offered the Faculty-specific Achievement Award and your final admission goes up to be within the top 10% for your incoming class, you will be eligible for the McMaster University Award of Excellence instead.

If your admission average goes down:

If your final admission average goes 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 did not receive an initial scholarship offer but your final admission average meets the cut-off for either the Faculty-specific Achievement Award or the McMaster University Award of Excellence, you will be automatically awarded.

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.

Please note that you can only be eligible for either the Award of Excellence or the Faculty-specific Achievement Award.

Faculty Awards

Did you receive an entrance award offer from your Faculty? Please visit your Faculty’s scholarship website for more information.

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.

Once all required grades are received for your program, your automatic entrance may be adjusted. This typically occurs from the end of August to mid-September.

I didn’t receive a scholarship offer, what are my options?

You still have options!

If you increase your average to the automatic award cut-offs by the time final admission averages are calculated, can still be eligible for the award.

You can also apply for scholarships and awards on AwardSpring and through external sources.

Your next steps

1. Accept your offer of admission to McMaster: all scholarship offers are conditional on the acceptance of your admission to McMaster and your enrolment in the program listed in your offer.

2. Activate your MACID and monitor your admission portal in Mosaic for Aid & Awards updates: Starting at the end of August, the value of your award will display as “Pending Aid & Awards” in your Account Summary in the Mosaic Student Center. After the add/drop deadline, your award will be automatically posted to your McMaster student account.

3. Satisfy and maintain all eligibility requirements: Refer to your Applicant Offer Letter, Memorandum of Understanding or the Undergraduate Calendar for specific eligibility requirements.

Getting your award

End-August to mid-September – Your award(s) will appear as “pending aid” on your account summary until it is ready to be disbursed.

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.

Your entrance scholarship will be 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.

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.

Am I eligible for entrance awards if I don’t register full-time in the upcoming fall term?

You must must enrol as a full-time student in the fall term to remain eligible for an automatic entrance award. Please connect with a Student Services Professional before making any changes to your program of study or course load.

Awards by application may have different terms regarding your enrolment.

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 you personal account.