Entrance Scholarships

Admission scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of academic performance. Please note that applications are required for specific categories of entrance scholarships.

The following Entrance Scholarships are available to scholars entering Algoma University directly from a recognized Canadian high school curriculum.

The 2023/24 scholarship/bursary application is now open. Visit your Student Portal to apply.

Algoma University Awards of Excellence

Algoma U Awards of Excellence are available to all Canadian citizen secondary-school graduates who have completed all their qualifying requirements in the academic year prior to commencing university studies at Algoma University. Canadian citizen International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Diploma recipients are equally considered for Awards of Excellence. To qualify, candidates must be entering into their first undergraduate program and enrol in and maintain 24 credits over 2 consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study. Awards are based on the average of the 6 highest grades, 4 U or M (or can use Grade 12 U or M) final grades presented for admission. Algoma U Awards of Excellence are renewable if candidates maintain an average of 80% each academic year on their highest graded 24 credits taken in two consecutive terms (fall/winter).

Candidates must be enrolled in at least 24 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study in the current year they are receiving the award. The Algoma U Awards of Excellence are non-cumulative with the Edward and Frank McGrath Award of Excellence, Carl J. Sanders Scholarship, Peggy & Willmont MacDonnell Scholarship, the City of Sault Ste. Marie Admission Scholarship I & II, the Algoma U Achievement Scholarship and John R. Rhodes Scholarship. Note that the Edward and Frank McGrath Award of Excellence, Carl J. Sanders Scholarship and the Peggy & Willmont MacDonnell Scholarship will be awarded to the highest achieving students in the 90 – 94.9% category. The entrance award levels are outlined below and are based on a 30 credit compliment.

Registration in course loads less than 30 credits but greater than or equal to 24 credits will be prorated accordingly.

Platinum: An entrance award of $4,000, renewable for up to three additional years, to all candidates presenting an entrance average of 95% or greater. Maximum value: $16,000.

Gold: An entrance award of $3,000, renewable for up to three additional years, to all candidates presenting an entrance average of 90-94.9%. Maximum value: $12,000.

Silver: An entrance award of $2,500, renewable for up to three additional years, to all candidates presenting an entrance average of 85-89.9%. Maximum value: $10,000.

Bronze: An entrance award of $1,500, renewable for up to three additional years, to all candidates presenting an entrance average of 80-84.9%. Maximum value: $6,000.

IB Diploma: Awards of Excellence Guidelines

IB PointsAwardAmount
40+Platinum$4,000
36 – 39Gold$3,000
32 – 35Silver$2,500
28 – 31Bronze$1,500
Awards of Excellence Renewal

Algoma University renewable entrance scholarships are renewed using a tiered-approach of the award. Students who satisfy the condition of renewal based on the required complement of credits, appropriate terms of study, and academic average, may be able to renew according to the renewal awards levels outlined below and based on a 30 credit compliment. For example, if a students’ entrance average is 80% (bronze entrance award) but achieves an average of 85% after the first year of studies, the scholarship would be renewed at the silver award level.

Registrations in course loads less than 30 credits but greater than or equal to 24 credits will be prorated accordingly:

  • Platinum: $4,000 (95 – 100%)
  • Gold: $3,000 (90 – 94.9%)
  • Silver: $2,500 (85 – 89.9%)
  • Bronze: $1,500 (80 – 84.9%)

A scholarship of up to $2,000 is given to the child of an Algoma University Alumni with the highest average on the 6 best U or M courses presented for admission. The candidate must enroll in and maintain 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study at Algoma U. This award is non-renewable.

A scholarship of up to $2,000 is given to the child of an Algoma University Alumni with the second highest average on the 6 best U or M courses presented for admission and is now enrolling in the first year of full time studies at Algoma U. The candidate must enroll in and maintain 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study at Algoma U. This award is non-renewable.

A scholarship of up to $2,000 is given to a student transferring to Algoma U under a college articulation agreement who has the highest GPA in the last full year of their college program. The candidate must enroll in and maintain 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study at Algoma U. This award is non-renewable.

The Algoma University Alumni Entrance Award IV is a scholarship of up to $2,000 which is given to the applicant submitting the best 500 word essay. Essays must be written in English and accompany an application form; should consider Algoma University’s characteristics, historical relevance of the Thunderbird logo; explain why they chose Algoma University and why they chose to undertake studies in their particular field. This award is non-renewable.

The Algoma University Brampton Campus Bursary is a $6,000 non-renewable cumulative entrance award that recognizes applicants attending the Brampton campus. The Brampton Campus Bursary is awarded over two years of study ($3,000/year one and $3,000/year two).

To be eligible for the award, you must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident currently attending the Brampton campus.
  • Meet the conditions listed on your official Offer of Admission

** Students who enrol part-time will have their bursary prorated based on their course load.

In recognition of the generosity of the Sanders family, a $3,500 scholarship, renewable for up to three additional years, is available to the secondary school graduate who has completed all of his or her qualifying requirements in the academic year prior to commencing university studies at Algoma U, and who presents the second-highest average over 90% on the 6 best, U or M courses presented for admission. The candidate must enrol in and maintain 30 credits over two consecutive terms of study at Algoma U. For renewal, candidates must maintain a minimum average of 80% each academic year on 30 credits taken in two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study. Candidates must be enrolled in 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study in the current year they are receiving the award. Maximum Value: $14,000. The Carl J. Sanders Scholarship is non-cumulative with the Algoma U Awards of Excellence, Edward & Frank McGrath Award of Excellence, Peggy & Willmont MacDonnell, the City of Sault Ste. Marie Admission Scholarships, Algoma U Achievement Scholarships and the John R. Rhodes Scholarship.

An annual grant provides scholarships of $2,000, renewable for up to three additional years, to each of the top graduates from each of the secondary schools in Sault Ste. Marie enrolling in 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of studies at Algoma U. Candidates must be residents of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and have completed all their qualifying requirements in the academic year prior to commencing studies at Algoma U, and present an average of 80% on the 6 best, U or M courses presented for admission. For renewal, candidates must maintain a minimum average of 80% each academic year on 30 credits taken in two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study. Candidates must be enrolled in 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study in the current year they are receiving the award. This scholarship is non-cumulative with the Algoma U Awards of Excellence, Edward & Frank McGrath Award, Carl J. Sanders Scholarship, Peggy & Willmont MacDonnell Scholarship, City of Sault Ste. Marie Admission Scholarships, Algoma U Achievement Scholarships, and the John R. Rhodes Scholarship.

An annual grant provides one scholarship of $2,000, renewable for up to three additional years, to a resident of Sault Ste. Marie enrolling in 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of studies at Algoma U. The candidate must have completed his or her qualifying requirements in the academic year prior to commencing studies at Algoma U, and must present an average of at least 80% on the 6 best U or M courses presented for admission. For renewal, candidates must maintain a minimum average of 80% each academic year on 30 credits taken in two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study. Candidates must be enrolled in 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study in the current year they are receiving the award. This scholarship is non-cumulative with the Algoma U Awards of Excellence, Edward & Frank McGrath Award, Carl J. Sanders Scholarship, Peggy & Willmont MacDonnell Scholarship, City of Sault Ste. Marie Admission Scholarships, Algoma U Achievement Scholarships, and the John R. Rhodes Scholarship.

Through a generous contribution from the estates of brothers Edward and Frank McGrath, a $3,750 scholarship, renewable for up to three additional years, is available to the secondary school graduate who has completed all his or her qualifying requirements in the academic year prior to commencing university studies at Algoma U and who presents the highest average over 90% on the 6 best, U or M courses presented for admission. The candidate must enrol in and maintain 30 credits over 2 consecutive terms of study (fall/winter) at Algoma U. For renewal, candidates must maintain a minimum average of 80% each academic year on 30 credits taken in two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study. Candidates must be enrolled in 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study in the current year they are receiving the award. Maximum value: $15,000. The Edward & Frank McGrath Award is non-cumulative with the Algoma U Awards of Excellence, Carl J. Sanders Scholarship, Peggy & Willmont MacDonnell Scholarship, the City of Sault Ste. Marie Admission Scholarship I & II, Algoma U Achievement Scholarship, and the John R. Rhodes Scholarship.

The Inzola Group “35” Scholarship Award will provide one scholarship award of $1,000 to an Entrance or 2,3,4 year of studies. The first priority is offered to Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, Aninsanabe, Ojibway or Metis students. To be eligible, the candidate must be enrolled in the Virtual Arts Program with full-time studies at Algoma University and a course load of 24 credits over two consecutive terms (Fall/Winter), and have a minimum average of 70%.

In any given academic year, if Algoma University is not able to identify student(s) who meet the initial criteria for this award, the scholarship will be awarded to students who are enrolled in the Business Administration Program.

The John R. Rhodes Scholarship was established in 1979 through generous donations from friends and family of the late John Rhodes. This scholarship, of $3,000, renewable for up to three additional years, is offered to a student entering their first year of university studies from secondary school who has demonstrated academic achievement and community leadership while involved in political, social, or academic activities. The recipient must have completed all his or her qualifying requirements in the academic year prior to registering at Algoma U, and must enrol in 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study. For renewal, candidates must maintain a minimum average of 80% each academic year on 30 credits taken in two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study. Candidates must be enrolled in 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study in the current year they are receiving the award. The John R. Rhodes scholarship is non-cumulative with the Algoma U Awards of Excellence, Edward & Frank McGrath Award, Carl J. Sanders Scholarship, Peggy & Willmont MacDonnell Scholarship, City of Sault Ste. Marie Admission Scholarships, and the Algoma U Achievement Scholarships.

The Lions Club of St. Joseph Island Scholarship will provide an annual award of up to $500 to a full time student in their first year of Full-time studies at Algoma University, who has graduated from Central Algoma Secondary School (CASS) and is a resident of St. Joseph Island, Ontario. This award is non-renewable.

The Luu Family Scholarship – Celebrating 40 Years in Canada Entrance Scholarship will be used annually to provide a $500 award to a student (from either high school, college, or university transfer) in their first year of studies at Algoma University in any program. To be eligible, the student must enroll in full-time studies with a course load of 24 credits over two consecutive terms of study (fall/winter). He/She must have a minimum average of 70% in their last year of study. This award is non-renewable.

In honour of Peggy and Willmott MacDonnell, benefactors to Algoma University, this $3,000 scholarship, renewable for up to three additional years, is available to the secondary school graduate who has completed all his or her qualifying requirements in the academic year prior to commencing university studies at Algoma U and who presents the third-highest average over 90% on the 6 best U or M courses presented for admission. The candidate must enrol in and maintain 30 credits over 2 consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study. For renewal, candidates must maintain a minimum average of 80% each academic year on 30 credits taken in two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study. Candidates must be enrolled in 30 credits over two consecutive terms (fall/winter) of study in the current year they are receiving the award. Maximum Value: $12,000. The Peggy and Willmont MacDonnell Scholarship is non-cumulative with the Algoma U Awards of Excellence, Edward & Frank McGrath Award of Excellence, Carl J. Sanders Scholarship, City of Sault Ste. Marie Admission Scholarships, Algoma U Achievement Scholarships, and the John R. Rhodes Scholarship.

The Prince Women’s Institute and Prince Township Scholarship Award will provide an annual award of $500 to a student in their first year of full-time studies at Algoma University. The recipient must be a resident of Prince Township. In the event that a first year student does not meet the criteria, the award will be made available to an upper year student who meets the criteria. This award is non-renewable.

The Sardar, Rajwant, Paul and Anita Sohi Family Scholarship will provide two scholarships valued at a minimum of $1,250 each, to first year students who are: 1st Generation students and are First Nations, Metis, or Inuit. Preference will be given to students enrolled in either a math, science or engineering program. To be eligible the candidate(s) must be enrolled in full-time studies at Algoma University, with a course load of 30 credits over two consecutive terms of (fall/winter) study. He/she must have a minimum average of 70% in their first term. This award in non-renewable.

In any given academic year, if Algoma University is not able to identify student(s) who meet the criteria for this award, the scholarship will be awarded to a 1st Generation, First Nations, Metis, or Inuit student(s) in any program, who has a demonstrated financial need and is in good academic standing.

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Award is a $500 non-renewable, cumulative entrance award that recognizes recent Ontario Secondary School graduates who have completed any Specialist High Skills Major. The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Award will be automatically assessed and no additional application is required. To be considered for this award, you must:

  • Have successfully completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent)
  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident entering your first year of post-secondary studies for the first time
  • Have a minimum final admission average of 75%+ in your top 6 U/M level courses
  • Indicate on your OUAC application that you will complete or have completed a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
  • Must be enrolled as a full-time student  at Algoma University with a minimum course load of 24 credits over two consecutive terms

The SHSM Award will be given to the first 40 applicants to meet all requirements and accept their offer of admission. The SHSM Award is non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be deferred to another year.