McGill Bursaries

McGill University offers a number of bursaries to help students with the cost of tuition. Bursaries are need-based awards that do not have to be repaid, and they are available to both full-time and part-time students. Bursaries are awarded based on financial need, and the amount of each bursary is determined by the student's individual circumstances. Looking to know more about McGill bursaries? Keep reading!

Difference Between a Bursary and Grant

There are many different types of financial aid available to students at McGill, and it can be confusing to try to understand all the terminology. Two common types of aid are bursaries and grants. Both of these forms of assistance can help you cover the cost of tuition, books, and living expenses, but there are some key differences between them.

Bursaries are typically need-based, meaning that they are awarded based on your financial situation. Grants, on the other hand, are typically merit-based, meaning that they are awarded based on your academic achievement. In some cases, you may be eligible for both types of aid. For example, at McGill, students can apply for both need-based bursaries and merit-based entrance awards. The best way to determine which type of aid you may be eligible for is to contact the financial aid office at McGill or visit McGill's website .

Top McGill Bursaries

McGill's Entrance Bursary Program is their top entrance bursary, given to students from low to modest-income families who demonstrate financial need. These bursaries range in value, and award amounts are determined by:

• the level of need demonstrated by the student and their family, relative to other applicants
• the tuition fee rate charged based on the program of study and student residency

In order to be eligible for this program, you must be a:

• newly accepted, first-year, first-degree undergraduate

OR

• newly accepted, first-year undergraduate direct entrant to professional programs in Medicine and Law (with prior degree)

While this bursary program is not automatically renewed in the second and subsequent years of study, you can still continue to receive assistance through McGill's other top bursary program, the In-Course Financial Aid Program, as they continue their studies at the university. Also, any student receiving a bursary is automatically approved to seek employment through the University’s Work Study Program upon application via Minerva!

To apply for McGill bursaries, you can fill out the application available on Minerva once you are accepted to the university.

In Minerva, select the Financial Aid/Awards tab > Financial Aid Menu > Apply for a McGill Entrance Bursary > Apply to Entrance Bursary Program > Complete then submit your application!

When applying, please note that:

• Canadian (citizen or permanent residents) students living outside of Canada must submit a CSS Financial Aid Profile to the Scholarships and Student Aid Office in addition to the McGill Minerva aid application.
• U.S. students who wish to apply to the Entrance Bursary Program from the University must submit a CSS Profile in addition to the McGill Minerva aid application.
• International (non-US) students who wish to apply to the Entrance Bursary Program from the University must submit a CSS Profile in addition to the McGill Minerva aid application. 

It is also highly recommended that you apply for McGill bursaries within 30 days from the date of your formal acceptance to the University, as funding for this program is limited and offered on a rolling basis until resources are exhausted. The McGill bursary application officially closes on June 30th.

For more information about McGill University's financial need-based program, please visit McGill's website or contact McGill's Office of Student Financial Aid.

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