McGill University has an extensive program of both merit- and need-based awards as a result of the generous support of its donors and of University funding programs. Various endowments, bequests and trusts provide financial assistance and recognition to needy and deserving students. Scholarships and awards fall under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Enrolment and Student Affairs (CESA) and the central University program of awards is administered by the Scholarships and Student Aid Office (SSAO). In-course undergraduate scholarships and prizes for students already enrolled at McGill are administered by the individual Faculties and Schools. Fellowships for graduate students are provided by the individual Departments and Faculties in consultation with Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
The following is a brief explanation of some of the most popular terms used in this calendar.
Activity Award: an award granted to recognize specific community activity. Activity awards without academic requirements do not appear on transcripts.
Athletic Award: an award to promote and facilitate the athletic achievements of student-athletes who are entering or enrolled in degree programs, and who meet specified athletic criteria. Athletic awards do not appear on transcripts.
Bursary: non-repayable funding provided to an entering or in-course student. Awarded on the basis of financial need and academic standing. Bursaries do not appear on transcripts.
Entrance Scholarship: an award for a first-time, entering undergraduate student, granted on the basis of academic excellence. Either one-year or renewable on the basis of academic criteria at admission. Entrance scholarships appear on transcripts.
External Award: an award given to the student of the university by an external agency. The University may share in the selection, administration and/or payment of such an award. External awards do not appear on transcripts.
Fellowship: an award for an entering or in-course student in a graduate program, granted on the basis of academic merit. Renewable on the basis of academic criteria once at the Master’s level, twice at the Doctoral level. [Graduate Awards website]
Graduating or Convocation Award: an award given to a graduating student based on overall academic achievement. Graduating (Convocation) awards appear on transcripts.
In-Course Scholarship: an annual (one-time) award granted by the individual Faculty for undergraduate students enrolled in full-time degree programs. Granted on the basis of academic excellence. In-course scholarships appear on transcripts.
Loan: repayable financial assistance for students granted on the basis of demonstrated financial need.
Medal: an award bestowed for recognition of outstanding academic achievement. Medals appear on transcripts.
Prize: an award granted to recognize specific academic achievement. Prizes appear on transcripts.
Work-study Bursary: funding provided to students who will work at the University, granted on the basis of financial need.