There's Free Money If You Look For It

Tips on finding financial aid for your post-secondary education.

If you’ve ever wondered how you're going to pay your university tuition, the good news is that there are many options to make university affordable. Finding these resources can be tricky, so here is a list of ideas to help you get started!

Do some research of your own
You’d be surprised how many resources are available to you at the click of a button! Many scholarships go unclaimed by students each year, so don’t underestimate the value of doing some extra research. Lots of information exists online regarding financial aid, including:

• Scholarships (mainly for academic performance), Universities offer many scholarships. Companies also often have scholarships for employees' children, so ask your parents about their options! Websites such as scholarshipscanada.com are a good resource.
• Bursaries (mainly for financial need)
• Awards (can be based on leadership, extra-curricular activities, athletics, work or co-op performance)
• Government financial aid, such as the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), distributes grants and loans to students based on financial need. New changes to OSAP have been made, including possible free tuition for full-time students with parents that earn $50,000 or less per year.

Talk to your guidance counsellor
Your school’s guidance counsellors are a fantastic source of information regarding post-secondary education—use them! Guidance counsellors can give you an inside scoop on some scholarships.

Earn money through co-op
On average, University of Waterloo co-op students earn between $45,000 and $85,000 on their work terms during their time as an undergraduate. On top of being a fantastic source of income to support yourself through school, co-op gives you essential skills and experience for the workplace.