President's Scholarship of Distinction at University of Waterloo 2026

The President's Scholarship of Distinction are awarded to students who are either entering the University or continuing studies in the 2026 academic session. 

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineNot Specified
• Value$1,500 - $2,000
• Study LevelUndergraduate
• SponsorUniversity of Waterloo
• City to studyWaterloo
• School to studyUniversity of Waterloo
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• $2,000 entrance scholarship
• $1,500 International Experience Award* and/or
• $1,500 Research Award*

Requirements

• Your early May admission average, including required courses, must be 95% or higher for the program for which you’ve received and accepted an offer of admission.
• You must accept your Offer of Admission by the date specified on the offer.
• You must be enrolled at Waterloo in full-time degree studies for the entire September to December term.

Details

The $1,500 International Experience Award will be awarded to Distinction Scholars who participate in an international study or work experience.

The $1,500 Research Award will be awarded to Distinction Scholars for an on-campus research position with a Waterloo professor or for a research-based co-op position with the University. You will be invited to find a Waterloo professor to engage you as a full- or part-time research assistant for a term to carry out research under his or her supervision.

Both the International Experience Award and the Research Award are available in your upper years should you choose to claim them. They're subject to the following conditions.

• You must complete your first year with an average of at least 80%.
• You must be in your second year or higher at Waterloo.
• You must claim the award before you complete your undergraduate program.

Selection Process

If you qualify, you’ll receive scholarship information with your Offer of Admission in the applicant portal.

• If you receive a scholarship before May, you must meet all the conditions specified above. Once we’ve reviewed your grades available in early May, we’ll confirm your University of Waterloo President’s or Merit Scholarship. You will be able to view the scholarship information in the applicant portal.
• If you receive your scholarship offer in May, we will already have reviewed your grades available in early May. You must still meet all other conditions specified above.

In late July, you’ll receive an email with information about how to use the award to help pay your tuition and fees.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Apply for an undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo
• If eligible, the scholarship will be applied automatically

For more details, visit University of Waterloo Scholarship webpage