Entrance Bursaries
The University offers an Entrance Financial Aid Program (non repayable bursaries) to students from modest income families who have been accepted for undergraduate studies. Upon notification of acceptance to the University (either by formal letter or via the Admissions Status page on Minerva), newly accepted, first-year, first-degree students may apply for Entrance Financial Aid via Minerva > Financial Aid/Awards tab > Financial Aid Menu > Apply for McGill Financial Aid > Apply for Entrance Bursary > Update your financial aid profile and submit your application.
The value of these awards varies according to the level of need demonstrated by the student and his/her family, and by the tuition fee rate that the student is charged. Awards range in value up to $10,000 and are based on academic standing and demonstrated financial need. While these awards are not automatically renewed in the second and subsequent years of study, students may continue to receive assistance through the In-Course Financial Aid program.
We do offer a limited number of entrance bursaries which are renewable and tenable until completion of an undergraduate degree (up to a maximum of four years) provided the criteria for renewal (financial need and academic standing) are met. Students will automatically be considered for this type of an entrance bursary when they submit the standard Entrance Financial Aid application on Minerva (i.e. no separate application is required).
- Most recently, entrance bursaries valued at $3.6 million were offered to 868 newly accepted undergraduate students with financial need.
- Quebec / Canadian students received 645 offers averaging $3,400 each.
- US / overseas international students received 223 offers averaging $8,300 each.
The application deadline is 30 days from the date of formal acceptance to the University or June 30th (whichever comes first).
Entrance Financial Aid applicants must apply for government student assistance in order to be considered for this need-based program.
- Canadian students apply for government assistance through the Minister of Education of their province of residence. See Government Directory for links to the various provincial/territorial assistance applications.
- Canadian students living abroad with their families should apply for government assistance following the instructions for Canadian students above; in addition, students must submit a Canadian Certificate of Finance form to the Scholarships and Student Aid Office.
- U.S. students should refer to US Student Loans for information on applying for government assistance. In addition, U.S. students who wish to apply for Entrance Financial Aid from the University must submit a CSS Profile .
- International (non-US) students who wish to apply for Entrance Financial Aid from the University must submit a CSS Profile in addition to the Minerva on-line application. NEW! In addition to a bursary, your financial aid assessment may result in the granting of a McGill loan (a repayable award). These loans are interest free until the due date specified on the loan contract. Most McGill loans are offered on a long-term basis (due in one year) and may be extended on an annual basis provided students continue to meet eligibility requirements (full time status, satisfactory standing and unable to repay the loan because of financial hardship). Loan extensions have the effect of extending a loan’s due date and avoiding interest charges.