University of Calgary is known to offer a wide range of financial aid to international students in the form of scholarships, awards, bursaries, and work-study programs. The institution is among top Canadian universities that provide financial assistance to incoming as well continuing students.

The University of Calgary Scholarships are awarded both on the basis of academic achievements and financial needs, yet a few general eligibility criteria for UCalgary Scholarships are to be kept in mind while applying for a scholarship:

  • Scholarships require a minimum GPA of 3.20.
  • For bursaries, the minimum GPA required is 2.60.
  • Other selection criteria include extracurricular activities, leadership, volunteerism, etc.
  • Completion of the on-line awards application within the deadline specified.
  • Often candidates are recommended by the faculty or department.

Students must keep in mind that supplemental exams, deferred exams, and special deferred exams or term work may affect their eligibility for awards.

For the ease of the students, the University of Calgary also provides an award search tool to find suitable funding options. It also provides students with the requirements and guidelines for the eligible scholarship programs.

University of Calgary Scholarships/Awards for Bachelor Programs

The University of Calgary is now supporting the education of international students through its exciting International Undergraduate Scholarship, Awards, and Bursaries. Students entering the first year of any undergraduate degree in the upcoming fall term are invited to apply for the scheme. These scholarships are designed to recognize the hard work and academic achievements of students.

UCalgary Scholarships: Eligibility Criteria for UG Students

  • International students must be registered full-time in an undergraduate degree program.
  • Entering on Canadian student visa (Study Permit).
  • Enrolling for the upcoming Fall term
  • Minimum GPA of 2.6.
  • Over 24 units in previous Fall and Winter terms
  • Satisfy the university’s English Language Proficiency requirement.

UCalgary Scholarships: Application Process for UG Students

The application process for scholarships is easy. Students just need to submit the application for each available awards competition and they will be considered for all the awards you are eligible for. The general steps to follow is as follows:

  1. Access My UCalgary (Central Authentication Service).
  2. In My UCalgary, click on the "My Financials" page.
  3. Scroll down to the Awards & Scholarships section, and click on any desired award program.
  4. Please ensure popups are enabled. If pop-ups are blocked the page will not display.
  5. A pop-up window will open on your screen with any open applications or ones that recently closed.

Please pay attention to the ‘Application Available’ and ‘Application Deadline’ dates.

Eligibility criteria and application requirements may vary depending on different awards, so students are requested to kindly be sure to read the details of each award carefully before applying.

UCalgary Scholarship/Award Benefits (in CAD) Eligibility Scholarship Application
University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship 15,000 (Renewable) GPA of 2.60 + (minimum of 24.00 units) Required
CIBC International Entrance Scholarship 10,000 Minimum average of 75%; Entering in the fall term Completion of online application
University of Calgary International Entrance Award 10,000 Full-time Registration - in at least 9 units Online Award application through https://my.ucalgary.ca/
University of Calgary International Undergraduate Award 5,000 Continuing undergraduate international students; Academic Merit; Online Award application by August 1st
University of Calgary Award for International Student-Athletes Up to 10,000 Members of a University of Calgary Dinos intercollegiate athletic team; Entering students - Admission average of at least 80%; Transfer students - GPA of 2.00; Continuing students - GPA of 2.00 Contact the Director of Athletics, Faculty of Kinesiology via email knesinfo@ucalgary.ca

University of Calgary Bursaries for Bachelor Programs

The University of Calgary Bursaries is designed to help students with demonstrated financial need. The bursary programs are funded by tuition fees paid by undergraduate, professional program and graduate students.

The UCalgary Bursary is for all full-time students: undergraduate students, professional students, and graduate students meeting the academic requirements:

  • GPA of at least 2.00
  • 18 units completed of fall and winter
  • Admission average of at least 65%.
  • For graduates must be in good standing as defined by their Faculty

The amount awarded will be determined based on the amount of financial need. Bursary payments will be made to the applicant’s bank account directly.

UCalgary Bursary Benefits (in CAD) Eligibility Application System
Margaret Saunders Bursary in Education Up to 16,000 Continuing international undergraduate student; Academic Merit; Financial Need Completion of online application by August 1, 2021
Mike Shaikh Bursary in Business Up to 1600 Continuing international undergraduate student; Majoring in Accounting; Financial need External application to be submitted by August 1st
University of Calgary Alumni Association International Student Bursary Up to 5000 Students entering 3rd or 4th year; Academic merit; Financial Need Online Award application through https://my.ucalgary.ca/ by August 1st

University of Calgary Scholarships for Continuing International Undergraduate Students

The University of Calgary offers both competitive and nominated awards to international students continuing their studies in programs leading to a Bachelor’s degree. To receive the award payment, students must maintain full-time enrollment with a minimum of 18 units throughout the upcoming fall and winter terms at the University of Calgary. Scholarships require a minimum GPA of 3.20. For bursaries, the minimum GPA required is 2.60.

The value of the award is applied directly to applicant’s tuition and fees. In most cases, award payments are split equally between the fall and the winter terms. Any remaining award funds are paid to the applicant’s by direct deposit on October 25 for the fall term and on February 25 for the winter term. These excess award funds are referred to as "Payout of Scholarship Refunds."

UCalgary Scholarship Benefits (in CAD) Eligibility Application System
University of Calgary Alumni Association International Student Bursary 5000 Academic merit; Financial need; Attending the University on a study permit Online Application by August 1st 2021
Margaret Saunders Bursary in Education 16,000 Student of Werklund School of Education; Academic merit; Financial need Online Application by August 1st 2021
Mike Shaikh Bursary in Business 1600 Student of Haskayne School of Business; Major - Accounting; Academic merit; Financial need Online Application by August 1st 2021
Romeo and Eva De Guia Scholarship 2,000 English Language Proficiency requirement; Academic merit Online Application by August 1st 2021
University of Calgary International Undergraduate Award 5,000 Academic merit Online Application by August 1st 2021

University of Calgary Scholarships for Masters/Doctoral Programs

University of Calgary Postgraduate Scholarships from a variety of sources, including private donors and the Government of Canada, is available to international and domestic graduate students. The purpose of these scholarships is to provide for fair distribution of university-wide competitive academic awards among eligible graduate students while maintaining graduate programs’ autonomy in the allocation of Program Recommended awards.

To provide for fair distribution of University of Calgary academic competitive awards, the maximum amount a student can hold at any given time is:

  • Master’s: 20,500 CAD
  • Doctoral: 26,000 CAD

Students may hold one single award that exceeds the limit. Students holding the maximum amount or less may also receive one additional Program Recommended award unless otherwise specified by the award terms of reference.

UCalgary Scholarship Benefits (in CAD) Level of Study Eligibility Application System
Arun Mishra Graduate Scholarship in Engineering 2,000 Masters (Engineering) Full-time in postgraduate student at the Schulich School of Engineering Completion of the Graduate Award Scholarship online application through the Student Centre
Bea and Ken Morgan Excellence in Oncology Graduate Scholarship 6,000 Masters (Leukemia) Completing research in the fields of Leukemia; Statement of eligibility (400 words) Completion of online application by February 1st
Calgary Institute for the Humanities Frances Spratt Graduate Fellowship 10,000 Doctoral (Humanities approach) Final stage of a doctoral program; Sharing of the research through a public lecture Recommendation from The Fellowship Adjudication Committee of the Calgary Institute
Carl O Nickle Graduate Scholarship 5,800 Masters (Western Canadian Studies) Full-time in the Faculty of Graduate Studies; A statement of eligibility (400 words) Completion of online application by February 1st
Chancellor's Challenge Graduate Scholarship Variable Doctoral (Any thesis-based doctoral program) Full-time registration; Speak at the Chancellor’s Challenge Golf Tournament Consult the Graduate Award Competition guidelines and application
Coca-Cola Graduate Scholarship 2,000 Doctoral Full-time registration in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Consult the Graduate Award Competition guidelines and application
Dean’s International Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship 35,000 Doctoral High standard of scholarly achievement and exemplary leadership Application by January 1st to the graduate program administrator

University of Calgary External Awards & Scholarships

The University of Calgary provides many options for External Awards and Scholarships. External awards are available from many sources and have a variety of criteria and deadlines. Payments for the External Awards are made either directly from UCalgary or directly to you from Alberta Student Aid.

These external scholarships are available to both undergraduate and postgraduate-level students, however, students need to apply separately for them after going through the eligibility criteria.

UCalgary Scholarship Benefits (in CAD) Eligibility Application System
Husky Energy Scholarship Program 1000 Extracurricular; Community activities Recommendation of the Faculty of Applied Science in odd-numbered years; Recommendation of the Faculty of Science in even-numbered years
Alex Decoteau Award of Honour 5,000 Spouses/common-law partners or children of Canadian Armed Forces soldiers who are deceased or permanently disabled Apply directly to Student Aid
David Johnston Law Scholarship 10,000 Full-time undergraduate student entering the Faculty of Law; Voluntary Activities Completion of online application
Louise McKinney Scholarship 2,500 Continuing full-time; A minimum of 24 units taken Completion of online application
Dr. Gary McPherson Leadership Scholarship 2,000 Outstanding leadership, especially in the area of disability; Initiative to improve the lives of other people Completion of online application
Jason Lang Scholarship 1,000 GPA of 3.20; Minimum 24.00 units of courses Complete the online application available in https://my.ucalgary.ca/

Students applying for External Awards can also look for some additional places for funding. Clubs, associations, and organizations often provide educational funding to their members and dependents.

The University of Calgary provides a wide range of scholarships and awards to all its entering and continuing students. The value of the scholarships is applied directly to the applicant’s tuition and fees. In most cases, award payments are split equally between the fall and the winter terms. Any remaining award funds are paid by direct deposit on October 25 for the fall term and on February 25 for the winter term. These excess award funds are referred to as "Payout of Scholarship Refunds."

Students must keep in mind that the eligibility criteria, the application process, and selection criteria are different for different scholarships. Hence, it is important for students to verify the same before applying for any scholarship.