Discover USask's 7 Categories of Scholarships

By University of Saskatchewan Modified on June 22, 2022
Tags : High School | Scholarships

Finding scholarships has never been easier with USask's scholarship categories and easy-to-search database.

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 Discover USask’s 7 Types of Scholarships

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Scholarship hunting can be a time-consuming and frustrating process as you sort through each award trying to find one that’s right for you. At the University of Saskatchewan, we want to simplify your search so that you can find the funding you need. Between our award categories and easy-to-search database , you’ll have no trouble exploring your financial aid options.

Which awards are meant for you?

Find the right scholarships for you by exploring USask’s seven different types of awards.

1. Guaranteed Entrance scholarships

This is the easiest kind of scholarship to apply for — because you don’t actually need to apply! When you apply to USask, you’ll automatically be considered for a Guaranteed Entrance scholarship based on your high school academic average. “But if I’m currently in grade 12, how would my admission average be calculated when I’m not even done school yet?” Great question! Your average will be calculated twice — once at the time of your admission and then again after graduation when we receive your official, final transcript. Don’t worry if your grades aren’t as high by the end — we use whichever average is highest!

Your best average Scholarship value
95%+ $3,000
93% - 94.9% $2,000
90% - 92.9 $1,000
85% - 89.9% $500

”What if I’m offered other scholarships as well as a Guaranteed Entrance scholarship?” If you earn a Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship, you can also accept one Best and Brightest Entrance scholarship or Competitive Entrance award. You can also receive additional awards administered at the college/department level or from external sources; these will not affect your USask entrance awards.

2. Best and Brightest Entrance scholarships

These awards are for the best of the best, la crème de la crème of students. This type of award is our highest valued, renewable entrance scholarship that is determined by a student’s academics, leadership, and contributions to school and community life. So, if you’re super involved, achieve high grades, and set a positive example for your community, this award is meant for you!

Since these scholarships are meant to find the best of our students, you’ll have to apply for a chance to earn an award. To apply for the scholarship, you’ll have to apply for admission by December 1 of each year, after which you’ll receive an email with a login to our scholarships and bursaries channel where you’ll find the application form for the Best and Brightest Entrance scholarships. The application includes short- and long-answer questions and must be submitted by December 15 of each year.

Check out a few of the Best and Brightest Entrance scholarships:

Scholarship name Award value Scholarship description
George and Marsha Ivany President’s First & Best Scholarships $40,000 ($10,000/year over four years) Five awards are offered to students graduating from a Canadian high school and proceeding directly to university. Students must have a minimum high school average of 95% and are able to renew their scholarship for up to three additional years provided an 80% average is maintained.
Chancellors’ Scholarships $30,000 ($7,500/year over four years) 12 awards are available for graduating or graduated students from a Canadian high school. The award is renewable for up to three additional years provided an 80% average is maintained.
U of S Entrance Scholarships $24,000 ($6,000/year over four years) 12 awards are available for students graduating from a Canadian high school with a minimum high school average of 95% and are directly proceeding to university. The award is renewable for up to three additional years provided an 80% average is maintained.

3. Competitive Entrance awards

This is the type of award where you’ll find a little bit of everything. Competitive Entrance awards include numerous scholarships and bursaries that can be accessed by many students with diverse experience. You’ll find awards that are based on academic achievement, financial need, and/or contributions to school and community life. There are even some awards that recognize particular backgrounds, acknowledge contributions to certain clubs, or reward achievement in music and athletics. Chances are there’ll be some scholarships for you in this category.

To apply for these awards, you’ll need to apply for admission to USask by February 15 of each year, then you’ll receive an email with a login to our scholarships and bursaries channel where you’ll find the application form for Competitive Entrance scholarships and Competitive Entrance bursaries. Some of these applications may require additional documents such as reference letters and a list of activities. Submit your application by March 1 of each year and watch your email for an award offer!

Some examples of Competitive Entrance awards are:

Scholarship name Award value Scholarship description
Community Leadership Award in Business $3,000 Two awards are offered to students entering their first year of the Bachelor of Commerce degree program and demonstrate financial need. Students must submit a statement attesting to their community engagement.
Allan Blakeney Entrance Scholarship $4,500 One award is available for a Saskatchewan resident and is awarded based on academic achievement and interest, contributions, and aptitude for activities related to society’s institutions of government and public service.
Bonnie & Art Dumont Scholarships $20,000 ($5,000/year over four years) Two awards are available for students graduating from a Canadian high school and entering their first year of university. The award is renewable for up to three additional years provided a 75% average is maintained.

4. International Baccalaureate (IB) awards

Here’s another one of the simplest awards you can apply for (meaning you don’t actually need to apply!). If you’re completing the IB Diploma Programme, you’ll automatically be considered for these awards. All you need to do is apply for admission by February 15 of each year to be eligible for consideration.

Scholarship name Award value Scholarship description
International Baccalaureate (IB) Excellence Awards $20,000 The International Baccalaureate (IB) Excellence Awards are one-time awards offered to four international students (non-Canadian citizens paying different tuition) who are completing a full IB diploma entering any direct-entry college at USask.
IB Diploma Programme Excellence Awards $3,000 Canadian citizens/permanent residents completing the IB Diploma Programme will be considered automatically upon admission.

5. International Student awards

If you’re an international student with top-notch grades, these scholarships are for you! The International Student awards are based on academic achievement, and for most of them, you only need to apply for admission by February 15 to be eligible for consideration.

Check out some of the awards from the International Student awards category:

Scholarship name Award value Scholarship description
University of Saskatchewan International Excellence Awards $10,000 There are four one-time awards available for international students (non-Canadian citizens paying different tuition) entering any direct-entry college at USask.
Council of International School Awards $15,000 Three awards are open to full-time international students entering undergraduate degree programs at the University of Saskatchewan. Candidates for the Council of International School Awards must graduate from a CIS member school.
Canadian Curriculum Schools Awards $15,000 Up to three awards are open to full-time international students entering undergraduate degree programs at the University of Saskatchewan. Candidates for the Canadian Curriculum School Awards must graduate from an international (non-domestic) Canadian curriculum school.

6. Transfer awards

If you’re already at another post-secondary institution, but have applied to USask for admission before May 1 of each year, you’ll automatically be considered for our transfer scholarships. These awards are calculated based on academic average, which means that your average may be calculated based on either the first term or the entire year immediately preceding transfer to USask, depending on the time of application.

Your best average Scholarship value
85%+ $2,000
80% - 84.9% $1,500
78% - 79.9% $1,000

7. Off-campus awards

If you’re studying at one of our off-campus sites, you’re eligible for awards through USask, and can also apply for academic awards provided by their local regional college. Many of our regional colleges award over $50,000 annually to their students!

You’ll find scholarships and awards at these regional colleges:


There you have it. Scholarship hunting has never been easier! Discover the world of scholarships, awards, and bursaries at USask now.


Explore USask’s scholarships

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