Entrance Bursaries

Entrance Bursaries are awarded primarily on the basis of demonstrated financial need to students entering their first year of studies at Algoma University. Applications are required for certain awards.

The following Entrance Bursaries are available to students entering Algoma University directly from a recognized Canadian high school curriculum. Unless otherwise noted, these bursaries are not available to international students.

Applications are accepted through the General Entrance/Continuing Awards application. To be considered for an entrance bursary students must also submit their Financial Needs Assessment form by June 30th of the year they are entering. Other awards requiring separate applications are open in June of each year. Where a separate application is required, it is noted in the description below. All award applications are posted on the Student Portal.

Please note awards for the 2024-25 academic year are under review and subject to change.

The ADnet Bursary provides a $1000 bursary to a first year student enrolled in the Bachelor of Computer Science program. To be eligible the candidate must be enrolled in full-time studies, with a course load of 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter). The candidate must present a minimum average of 70%, based on the 6 best U or M final grades presented for admission. The candidate will be an active volunteer, with a demonstrated financial need. In the event that an eligible candidate cannot be found, the award will be available to an eligible student in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of full-time studies. Applications are accepted through the General Entrance/Continuing Awards application with the Financial Needs Assessment as a separate application requirement. This award is non-renewable.

The Algoma U Special Bursary Program offers financial assistance to students studying part-time at the post-secondary level for the first time or for students wanting to pursue academic upgrading on a full or part-time basis to advance their employment-related skills. Assisting students from families that rely on provincial social assistance (Ontario Works) or the Ontario Disability Support Program is a priority of this program. Students receiving aid through the Algoma U Special Bursary Program cannot also be receiving financial aid through OSAP or other Algoma U funding (except Bursary for Students With Disabilities funding). The bursary will first be applied to any balance owing on the student’s account with Algoma University. Specific eligibility criteria are listed on the Special Bursary Program info sheet (PDF).

  • Fall or Fall/Winter studies deadline: July 31 
  • Winter-only deadline: December 1 
  • Spring deadline: March 31

A separate application is required and must be submitted by the above-listed deadline for each term.

The AUSU Developing Strength Bursary provides three awards of $1,000 each to eligible domestic or international students that demonstrate a financial need. Students will be asked to submit a short essay to explain their struggles and how they have overcome these struggles to pursue their education. Applications are accepted through the General Entrance/Continuing Awards application with the Financial Needs Assessment as a separate application requirement. This award is non-renewable.

The AUSU Mental Health Champions Bursary provides three bursaries of $1,000 each to students that are taking a minor in Health, Wellness and Addictions. Eligible candidates can be domestic or international students and must demonstrate a financial need. Applications are accepted through the General Entrance/Continuing Awards application with the Financial Needs Assessment as a separate application requirement. This award is non-renewable.

The Exceptional Expense Bursary provides up to 100% in tuition coverage through a non-repayable bursary for students that are currently in or are former youth in care through Ontario’s Extended Society Care program. A letter from the agency (e.g. Children’s Aid Society) will be required as a part of the application. This bursary can be renewed each year for a maximum of three additional years for a four-year degree. A separate application is required and is posted at the start of each semester.

The Elvi & Lloyd Leitch Entrance Bursary provides a $2000 bursary for a student entering the Bachelor of Arts program with a major in Music. To be eligible the candidate must be enrolled in full-time studies, with a course load of 30 credits over two consecutive terms of study (fall/winter). The candidate must present a minimum average of 70%, based on the 6 best U or M final grades presented for admission and demonstrate a financial need. The eligible candidate will have submitted a Financial Needs Assessment by June 30th of their entering year for consideration. This award is non-renewable.

The e-Sports Scholarship, funded by the Province of Ontario, provides awards to eligible students that are studying at Algoma University over the Fall/Winter academic year in either the BBA with an eSports specialization or a Computer Science program with a gaming-related specialization that may lead to a career in video gaming and/or e-Sports. The scholarships will be awarded based on merit and financial need. A separate application is required and is posted in October.

This bursary provides students with additional funding for costs not covered through any other source, such as the costs of taking a sixth course in a term when OSAP only funds five. This program can also help with medical or disability-related costs not funded through other programs. A separate application is required and is posted on the Student Portal each term.

The Financial Aid Bursary is available to eligible students that have a financial need after accessing available resources. A separate application required and is posted on the Student Portal in October, January, and May.

The Gabriel Barban, P.Eng. Bursary will provide an entrance bursary of $1,000 to a student entering their first year of study at Algoma University in the Engineering, BSc Biology, or Bachelor of Computer Science program. To qualify, candidates must enroll in and maintain 30 credits over 2 consecutive terms of study (fall/winter). The candidate must present a minimum average of 70%, based on the average of the 6 best, U or M final grades presented for admission, be a resident of Ontario, and demonstrate a financial need. In the event that an eligible candidate cannot be found, the award will be available to a student in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of studies meeting the criteria listed above. Applications are accepted through the General Entrance/Continuing Awards application with the Financial Needs Assessment as a separate application requirement. This award is non-renewable.

Starting in the 2024-25 academic year, students entering into a one year Graduate Certificate program at Algoma University will be considered for an award of up to $3000. This award applies to students who are starting their program in 2024 Spring, 2024 Fall, or 2025 Winter. Eligible students will receive up to two awards valued at up to $1500 each per term. Students will be required to meet registration requirements and have a valid Social Insurance Number by the registration deadline for the term to receive the award. Awards will be disbursed to student fees after the final course drop deadline for each term. Award amounts and disbursements will be final. If a student does not have a valid SIN on file as of the deadline to register, they will no longer be eligible to receive the award. This award is available for students entering in the 2024-25 academic year only. This award cannot be deferred and is subject to change without notice. 

The Indigenous Student Bursary, funded by the Province of Ontario, provides aid to First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit students that are residents of Ontario and have a demonstrated financial need. Prior to applying for this bursary students are expected to exhaust all other financial means for funding their education, including savings, work income, family support, government income, and other as appropriate. Separate application required and is posted on the Student Portal in October.

The Ontario First Generation Bursary, funded by the Province of Ontario, provides financial assistance in the form of a bursary to Ontario students that are the first generation in their family to participate in postsecondary studies. The first consideration for this award may be given to students that are attending postsecondary in their first degree, diploma, certificate or program. Students must be attending full-time, be in good academic and financial standing with OSAP and Algoma U, and demonstrate a financial need. A separate application is required and is posted on the Student Portal in October. 

The Ron Irwin Student Leadership Bursary provides a bursary of $500 to a student entering their first year of studies from secondary school who has demonstrated academic achievement and community leadership while involved in political, social, or academic activities. To be eligible, the candidate must be enrolled in full-time studies, with a course load of 30 credits over 2 consecutive terms of study (fall/winter). The candidate must present a minimum average of 70%, based on the 6 best U or M final grades presented for admission, be a resident of Ontario, and demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to applicants who have a demonstrated background in student politics (e.g. Student Council President). In the event that an eligible candidate cannot be found, the award will be available to an eligible student, based on the above noted criteria, in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of full-time studies with a minimum 70% average and a demonstrated financial need. Applications are accepted through the General Entrance/Continuing Awards application with the Financial Needs Assessment as a separate application requirement. This award is non-renewable.

The Honourable Ray & Mary-Kay Stortini Bursary Award will provide an entrance bursary of $500 to a student from the Algoma District, entering their first year of study at Algoma University in the Bachelor of Arts Program with a major in Law & Justice. To be eligible, the candidate must be enrolled in full time studies with a course load of 30 credits over two consecutive terms of study (fall/winter). The candidate must present a minimum average of 70%, based on the 6 best U or M final grades presented for admission and demonstrate a financial need. In the event that an eligible candidate cannot be found, the award will be available to an eligible student in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of full-time studies with a minimum average of 70% and demonstrate a financial need. The eligible candidate will have submitted a Financial Needs Assessment by June 30th for consideration. This award is non-renewable.

The M. Wright Family Award provides a $1500 bursary to a student entering their first year of studies at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie. The eligible recipient will be entering directly from high school, and have recently graduated from a secondary school within the Algoma District School Board, the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board, Michipicoten High School, or Kirkland Lake District Composite School. To be eligible, the candidate must be enrolled in full time studies with a course load of at least 24 credits over two consecutive terms of study (fall/winter). The candidate must present a minimum average of 65%, based on the 6 best U or M final grades presented for admission and demonstrate a financial need. Applications are accepted through the General Entrance/Continuing Awards application with the Financial Needs Assessment as a separate application requirement. This award is non-renewable.

The Moyra & Edward O’Pallie Bursary provides a $750 bursary to a student in their first year of study at Algoma University (part-time or full-time), in any program. To be eligible the student must demonstrate a financial need. This bursary is available every second year. The eligible candidate will have submitted a Financial Needs Assessment by June 30th for consideration. This award is non-renewable.

This award will provide financial assistance of up to $5,000 to one First Nation, Métis, or Inuit student entering his or her first year at Algoma U, who is resident in the Treaty 3 Area of Ontario, and demonstrates a financial need. If no such student qualifies for the award in any academic year, the award may be given to a First Nation, Métis, or Inuit student, entering his or her first year at Algoma U, who is resident in Ontario and demonstrates a financial need. Applications are accepted through the General Entrance/Continuing Awards application with the Financial Needs Assessment as a separate application requirement. This award is non-renewable.

The Rosemary O’Connor Memorial Bursary will be used to provide an entrance award of a minimum $500 to a student entering their first year of study at Algoma University in the Community Economic & Social Development (CESD) program. To be eligible the candidate can be enrolled in either part-time or full-time studies and must demonstrate a financial need. In the event that an eligible candidate cannot be found, the award will be made available to an eligible student in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of study in any program, who demonstrate a financial need, and presents a minimum average of 70%. The eligible candidate will have submitted a Financial Needs Assessment by June 30th for consideration. This award is non-renewable.

The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie North Bursary will provide an award of $500 to a student entering their first year of an undergraduate program at Algoma University. The candidate must be a resident of Ontario, enroll in 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study and demonstrate a financial need. The award recipient will also have graduated that same year from a secondary school in Sault Ste. Marie (including Central Algoma Secondary School). Applications are accepted through the General Entrance/Continuing Awards application with the Financial Needs Assessment as a separate application requirement. This award is non-renewable.

The Scotiabank First Nations Student Bursary will provide up to six entrance bursary awards valued at $1,000 each to First Nations students, entering their first year of an undergraduate program at Algoma University in either business or computer science. To be eligible, the candidate(s) must be enrolled in full time studies with a course load of 30 credits over two consecutive terms of study (fall/winter). The candidate must present a minimum average of 70%, based on the 6 best U or M final grades presented for admission, be a resident of Ontario, and demonstrate a financial need. In the event that an eligible student cannot be found, the award will be available to an eligible student in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of studies. Applications are accepted through the General Entrance/Continuing Awards application with the Financial Needs Assessment as a separate application requirement. This award is non-renewable.