The University of Guelph attracts a community of outstanding scholars to its broad range of faculties and programs. The Committee on Awards, established by the Senate of the University, is responsible for the supervision of the administration of awards in the gift of the Senate. In addition, this Committee formulates policies regarding the effective use of funds designated for awards and establishes the terms and conditions attached to the awards. Each College has an Awards Committee, which is responsible for the awarding of scholarships and bursaries. In addition, there is a University Bursary Committee that is responsible for awarding bursaries. Some scholarships and bursaries are open to all students regardless of degree or diploma program and others are restricted to students in particular degree programs/majors/departments. Students entering the 1st semester of their first undergraduate degree, should consult the "entrance" sections for a listing of awards that may apply to them. Students that are registered students at the University of Guelph should refer to the "in-course" sections for a listing of awards that may apply to them. Also refer to Section VIII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations and Procedures, Academic Misconduct, Penalties, for additional regulations regarding scholarships and bursaries.

Eligibility: To be eligible for entrance awards, you should be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident entering the 1st year of post-secondary studies for the first time. To be eligible for in-course awards, all registered students are eligible for most awards, unless otherwise stated in the eligibility clause of the award. A minimum of 70% average is required for all scholarships. International Students: Financial Assistance Programs are available for International Students, including Entrance Awards, Work-Study and In-course Bursaries. In addition, many of the University of Guelph's scholarships for upper-year students are available to enrolled international students and are based on high academic standing. Where applications are required, it is the student's responsibility to obtain an application from Student Financial Services and to see that it is returned prior to the deadline date.

Awards: Generic term used to refer to a type of award that is not a scholarship. These include bursaries and ACCESS awards.

ACCESS Awards: The University recently established an endowment fund through the generous contributions of over 6,000 donors which was matched by the provincial government's Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund (OSOTF) program. The income generated from this endowment will be used to support financial aid programs. The awards created will be used to assist Canadian citizens or permanent residents who meet the Ontario residency requirements as mandated by the OSOTF program. Students must complete a Need Assessment Form in order to be considered. Please contact the Student Financial Services office for further details. Ontario Government Mandated Terms for an OSOTF Award:

i) be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;

ii) be a Ontario resident as defined by a) have lived in Ontario for a period of at least 12 consecutive months up to the beginning of full-time post-secondary study; or b) the student's spouse has lived in Ontario for at least 12 consecutive months up to the beginning of the current year full-time post-secondary study period; or c) the student's parent(s)/stepparent(s)/legal guardian/official sponsor has lived in Ontario for at least 12 consecutive months up to the beginning of the current year full-time post-secondary study period;

iii) financial need has been demonstrated as determined by the University of Guelph Need Assessment procedures.

Bursary: An award provided to a student on the basis of financial need. Financial need is determined by the University of Guelph's Bursary Committee after an evaluation of the Financial Need Assessment Form has been submitted by the student. Academic merit is not a consideration in awarding a bursary. You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada to be considered for bursaries. International students are eligible to apply for the International Student Bursary only.

Scholarship: Awarded on the basis of academic performance and given for further study. Given that the merit component is normally academic, it may include such non-academic aspects as leadership, extracurricular activity, volunteeism, and community involvement. Scholarships can be monetary, prizes, or medals. Financial need is not a consideration of scholarships.

Scholarships with Financial Need: These are awarded based on the same critera as scholarships, but finanical need is a consideration.

Travel Grants: These grants are provided to students who wish to travel as part of their program of study. Examples of travel opportunities include: Exchange/Study Abroad programs, letter of permissions, field courses, and independent research projects.

Payment of Awards for In-course Students: Please note that Student Financial Services will apply all internal awards against outstanding balances on students' accounts unless prior arrangements have been made.

Payment of Awards for Entrance Students: Awards will be applied directly to the student's financial account in two equal payments in the fall and winter semesters.

Students who receive an award and who withdraw from the semester in which the award is received, or change the number of credits in which they are registered, may have their award adjusted. This adjustment will be calculated up to the twentieth class day according to the rebate schedule in effect for that semester and the published terms and conditions for the award.

The University reserves the right to amend awards subject to the availability of funds.