The University of Waterloo offers strong scholarships, but truly fully funded options are mostly limited to PhD and research-based programs. International students can receive tuition support, stipends, and awards, yet most undergraduate and master’s funding is partial. Full funding usually combines multiple sources rather than one single scholarship.
Does the University of Waterloo offer fully funded scholarships?
Short answer: yes, but not in the way most students imagine.
Waterloo does not hand out many single, clean “100% full ride” scholarships like you see advertised elsewhere. Instead, full funding usually comes as a package. Tuition support, research funding, teaching assistantships, and university awards work together to cover most or all costs.
This model is common in Canadian universities. It’s honest but confusing. Students see big scholarship names and assume everything is covered automatically. That’s rarely true.
Here’s what matters. If you are applying for a PhD, full funding is realistic. If you are applying for course-based undergraduate or master’s programs, expect partial funding and plan your finances accordingly.
Does the University of Waterloo give full scholarships to international students?
Yes, international students can receive significant funding. But full funding is selective.
Waterloo treats international and domestic students differently when it comes to costs, not academic merit. Tuition for international students is higher, so even generous awards may not cover everything.
International students are most likely to receive near-full or full funding if they:
- Apply to PhD or research-based master’s programs
- Secure a faculty supervisor
- Have strong academic and research profiles
For undergraduate students, full funding is extremely rare. Most awards reduce tuition but do not eliminate living costs.
Bottom line: international students are eligible, but funding reality depends heavily on program type.
Does UW give full-ride scholarships?
If you define “full ride” as tuition, housing, food, books, and personal expenses, then full rides are very rare at Waterloo.
What Waterloo does offer:
- Full or near-full tuition coverage for some PhD students
- Living stipends through research and teaching work
- Entrance and merit scholarships that reduce costs
What Waterloo usually does not offer:
- One scholarship that automatically covers all expenses for four years, especially at undergraduate level
Most funded students build their full ride from multiple sources.
Which University of Waterloo scholarships come closest to fully funded?
Here’s where clarity helps. These options offer the strongest financial coverage.
| Program Level | Funding Type | What It Typically Covers |
|---|---|---|
| PhD Programs | Funding Package | Tuition + living stipend |
| Research Master’s | Supervisor Funding | Partial to strong coverage |
| Entrance Scholarships | Merit-based | Tuition reduction only |
| Bursaries | Need-based | Small financial support |
PhD funding packages are the closest thing to “fully funded” at Waterloo. These are often guaranteed for a set number of years, provided you maintain academic standing.
How hard is it to get a fully funded scholarship at Waterloo?
It’s competitive. But it’s not random.
Waterloo looks for:
- Strong academic history
- Clear research direction
- Evidence you can contribute to ongoing projects
- Faculty interest in supervising you
For PhD applicants, the biggest gatekeeper is the supervisor. No supervisor interest often means no funding, regardless of GPA.
For undergraduates, competition is intense because funding is limited and applicant numbers are high.
Hard, yes. Impossible, no.
What GPA is needed for a full scholarship at the University of Waterloo?
There’s no magic number, but patterns exist.
Typical competitive ranges:
- PhD applicants: 3.7+ GPA equivalent
- Research master’s: 3.5–3.7+
- Undergraduate merit awards: Top academic percentile
A higher GPA improves your odds, but it doesn’t guarantee funding. Waterloo looks at trajectory. Consistent improvement, strong final years, and program relevance matter.
Can you get a full scholarship at Waterloo without a perfect GPA?
Yes. Especially at graduate level.
A 4.0 GPA is impressive, but it’s not everything. Waterloo values:
- Research experience
- Publications or projects
- Strong letters of recommendation
- A focused statement of purpose
I’ve seen funded PhD offers go to students with GPAs below 3.7 because their research fit was excellent.
Grades open the door. Fit gets you funded.
How much scholarship money can you get with a 3.5 GPA?
With a 3.5 GPA, realistic outcomes include:
- Partial tuition scholarships
- Research assistantships
- Teaching assistant roles
- Departmental awards
You may not get a single “full scholarship,” but combined funding can still make studying possible, especially at graduate level.
The mistake students make is stopping at one application. Funding stacks.
Who is eligible for the University of Waterloo bursary?
Bursaries are need-based, not merit-based.
Eligibility usually depends on:
- Demonstrated financial need
- Enrollment status
- Submission of financial information
Bursaries are designed to help students stay enrolled, not to fully fund an education. Think of them as support, not solutions.
Is family income considered for Waterloo funding?
Yes, but only for need-based aid.
Merit scholarships are based on academic performance. Bursaries consider financial need, including family income.
Important clarification: FAFSA is a U.S. system. It does not apply to Canadian universities like Waterloo. Students often confuse this, especially international applicants.
Waterloo has its own financial assessment process.
Does a full-ride scholarship cover all four years?
Sometimes. Often with conditions.
PhD funding packages usually span multiple years, but they require:
- Satisfactory academic progress
- Continued enrollment
- Sometimes teaching or research duties
Undergraduate scholarships are often renewable, not guaranteed. You must maintain GPA thresholds to keep them.
Always read renewal terms carefully.
How rare is a full-ride or fully funded scholarship?
Very rare at undergraduate level. Uncommon but realistic at PhD level.
Most students globally do not receive full rides. That doesn’t mean they fail. It means universities spread funding across many students rather than concentrating it on a few.
Understanding this saves disappointment.
Which fully funded scholarships are easiest to get?
No fully funded scholarship is truly easy. But some paths are more practical.
Research-based funding tends to be more attainable than famous global awards. Supervisor-supported PhD funding is often more realistic than highly publicized international programs.
Strategy beats chasing prestige.
Which scholarships are more generous than Waterloo’s?
Programs like Chevening or Gates are broader and often fully funded, but they are also far more competitive and restrictive in eligibility.
Waterloo’s strength lies in research funding, not headline scholarships. Different goals, different systems.
Is the University of Waterloo the right choice if you need 100% funding?
Here’s the honest guidance.
If you:
- Are aiming for a PhD or research master’s
- Have strong academics and research alignment
- Can work with a supervisor
Waterloo can be an excellent choice.
If you:
- Need guaranteed full funding for undergraduate study
- Cannot cover living costs at all
- Are relying on a single scholarship to solve everything
You should broaden your options.
Waterloo rewards preparation, not wishful thinking. Go in informed, plan your funding stack, and apply strategically.
That’s how funded students actually get there.
Andrew Wiles, Higher education expert with 15+ years guiding students in PhD, postgraduate, and research scholarships. Andrew simplifies visas, interviews, and application planning.