The University guarantees to fund unmet need as defined by OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) or a student assistance program from another Canadian province (see Note 1 below). The University aspires to identify students in need and ensure that all eligible students admitted to full-time undergraduate programs have the financial assistance necessary to complete their studies (see Note 2 below).
Students are required to seek financial support from all sources, including family, employment, loans, and government support programs.
Who is eligible?
UW undergraduate students who have applied for and are eligible for OSAP or other provincial government student assistance programs are eligible. This means:
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents and
- Those studying on a full-time basis leading to a degree or diploma (i.e., 3 or more courses per term) and
- Those with demonstrated financial need
Who is not eligible?
- International students admitted to Canada on a study permit
- Students who do not apply for OSAP or other provincial student aid programs (see Note 3 below)
- Part-time students (see Note 4 below)
- Students enrolled in a full cost-recovery program
Notes:
- This guarantee is based on 2005-2006 OSAP policy. It will be reviewed from time to time by the Board of Governors taking into account changes in OSAP policy and the University's financial situation. When other provincial jurisdictions include institutional bursaries as a resource, the University is not in a position to provide further bursary assistance to replace/repay loan overpayments. For further details please visit http://safa.uwaterloo.ca/bursaries/supportstatement.html or contact the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office.
- The University determines unmet need by using OSAP allowable costs minus the student's expected/actual resources.
- Those who have not applied for or are not eligible for OSAP or other provincial assistance programs but who have documented financial difficulty will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students whose credit history or academic standing make them ineligible for OSAP or other provincial assistance programs will be considered on a case-by-case basis as well.
- Part-time students experiencing financial hardship are expected to apply for the government student aid programs available to them. The University has limited funds to assist students studying on a part-time basis.
If you have applied for OSAP or other provincial assistance, and have demonstrated financial need, you can apply for a University of Waterloo Undergraduate Bursary to assist with your remaining education-related expenses.
Your parents/spouse are expected to provide a contribution to your costs based on their family income. Your parents/spouse are not able to waive this expected contribution unless there are extenuating circumstances that may preclude them from making a contribution. If you feel that this is your situation please make an appointment with a Financial Aid Counsellor prior to the bursary deadline.
You must explore all sources of funding including government student aid programs, working full-time during non-study periods, working part-time during your study period, and liquidating assets.
You should confirm that your OSAP or other government financial aid is accurate. You may be eligible for further funding either due to an error/omission or by providing additional documentation to appeal the value of your award. Check the OSAP website - http://osap.gov.on.ca/ - for guidelines on appeals and make an appointment with the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office. If you have assistance from another provincial student aid program, contact your provincial authority regarding the possibility of an appeal.
How to apply for assistance