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 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.
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 questions about AwardSpring? Ask us here!
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!
List of automatic Entrance awards
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 | 2023-2024 Estimated Top 10% Admission Averages* |
| Arts & Science | 99%+ |
| DeGroote School of Business | 94%+ |
| Engineering | 97%+ |
| Health Sciences | 97%+ |
| Humanities | 94%+ |
| Science | 96%+ |
| Social Sciences | 93%+ |
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 | 2023-24 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 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.
The DeGroote School of Business Deans Entrance Award
- Value: $500
- Eligibility: Domestic high school students entering Business 1/IBH with an average of 90% to 91.99%.
DeGroote School of Business Deans Achievement Award
- Value: $1,500
- Eligibility: Domestic high school students entering Business 1/IBH with an average of 92% to 94.99%.
DeGroote School of Business Award of Excellence
- Value: $2,000
- Eligibility:
- Domestic high school students entering Business 1/IBH with an average of 95% or better. Administered by the Faculty of Business.
Faculty of Engineering
B.Tech. Entrance Scholarship
- Value: $2,000
- 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.
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.
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 | Early November |
| Entrance award application deadline | February 21, 2024 at 12 p.m. (ET) |
| Bursary application deadline | February 21, 2024 at 12 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 – Your award(s) will appear as “pending aid” on your account summary.
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.
