Award types
UBC and the University’s donors provide a range of financial support to reward your academic and extracurricular achievements and meet your financial needs.
- Scholarships
Scholarships are merit-based awards primarily based on academic achievement. Other merits such as community involvement or athletic achievements may also be considered. - Hybrid awards
Hybrid awards are given based on a combination of academic and/or other achievement and financial need. - Bursaries
Bursaries are assessed based on unmet financial need. Bursaries and student awards based solely on financial need are not shown on a student’s transcript. - Fellowships
Fellowships are given at the start of the academic year to a graduate student primarily based on academic achievement, research ability or research potential. - Medals
Medals are non-monetary awards given at the end of an academic year to a graduating student, based primarily on academic achievement. - Prizes
Prizes are given to a student at the end of the academic session to recognize performance in a particular course, research performance, or publication record.
Read the Academic Calendar for how UBC defines different types of awards.
Automatic consideration awards
Certain awards do not require an application. As a UBC student, you are automatically considered for the following awards:
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| Student Housing Supplement Grant | Eligible students can receive additional financial support for their first-year residence experience. |
| Trek Excellence Scholarship | Granted to the top continuing domestic students ranked in the top 5% of their year. |
| Faculty recommended awards | Merit-based awards are presented based on strong academic performance and community leadership. Some faculties might require an application, so it is highly recommended to check-in with your faculty student services. |
Apply for an award
The following awards are by application only. Make sure you meet the award requirements and submit your application by the deadline.
General awards
Any UBC student who meets the eligibility requirements is invited to apply to these awards.
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| UBC Bursary Program | Designed to support students with unmet financial need |
| Affiliation Bursaries | Based on financial need and for students connected to a specific club or group |
| Affiliation scholarships | Based on merit such as academic achievement, community involvement, or leadership, for students in a specific club or group |
| John R. Scarfo Wellness Bursary | Available for students who demonstrate a financial need and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle |
| Premier Undergraduate and Wesbrook Scholarship | Awarded to senior students with outstanding academics, leadership, and community involvement |
| Rhodes Scholarship | 11 Canadians are selected each year to join a class of 84 Scholars at the University of Oxford |
| McCall MacBain Scholarship | Leadership-drive scholarship open to graduate students in a master’s program at McGill University |
| 3M National Student Fellowship | Honours 10 full-time diploma and undergraduate students at Canadian post-secondary institutions demonstrating outstanding leadership |
| UBC Vancouver Technology Bursary | One-time, needs-based bursary to support the costs of basic technology required for academic purposes |
Awards for specific student groups
These awards are available for specific groups of students who meet additional requirements.
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| Awards for Indigenous students | Non-repayable scholarships and bursaries for First Nations, Métis, or Inuit students |
| Beau Dick Memorial award for Indigenous students | $20,000 award for students from Kwakwakaʼwakw First Nation or other First Nations |
| Musqueam First Nation Scholarship | Renewable scholarship valued up to $5,500 annually for Musqueam students |
| Women in part-time studies | Available to women studying on a part-time basis |
| Students participating in Go Global | Available to UBC students in Go Global International Learning Programs |
| Students with disabilities | Need- and merit-based awards for students with disabilities |
| International student awards | For outstanding international undergraduate students at the UBC Vancouver campus |
| Graduate student awards | Merit-based awards for students in graduate programs |
| Funding for former youth in care | Tuition waivers or funds for former youth in care |
| Funding for Canadian Veterans | Financial help for individuals planning to return to school after a career in the military |
UBC Award Search
Use the UBC Award Search tool to find UBC scholarships, bursaries, prizes, and awards, along with award criterias, descriptions, and more.
External awards
Organizations and groups outside of UBC also offer external awards for post-secondary students.
Additional resources
- Special circumstances for students receiving awards
- Maintaining awards and loan eligibility
- Financial planning
- Direct deposit
- Taxes
If you have questions
If you have questions, please contact your Enrolment Services Advisor directly.
For general questions, please call 604 822 9836 or submit a question through the online form.