Audience · Engineering
Engineering Scholarships in Canada
Engineering students in Canada benefit from some of the best-funded scholarship programs in the country. Between the Schulich Leader Scholarship ($100,000), NSERC research awards, university-specific entrance scholarships, and co-op earnings, many engineering students graduate with significantly less debt than peers in other disciplines. Here's your guide to the major engineering funding opportunities.
Schulich Leader (Engineering): $100,000 over 4 years
NSERC USRA: ~$7,125 for summer research
Co-op earnings: $15,000–$25,000+ per 4-month work term
Engineers Canada scholarships: Multiple awards for engineering students
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Quick facts — Engineering Scholarships in Canada
Schulich Leader (Engineering)
$100,000 over 4 years
NSERC USRA
~$7,125 for summer research
Co-op earnings
$15,000–$25,000+ per 4-month work term
Engineers Canada scholarships
Multiple awards for engineering students
PEO (Ontario) scholarships
Awards for engineering students in Ontario
Last verified
March 2026
Top engineering scholarships
The highest-value scholarships available to engineering students in Canada:
- Schulich Leader Scholarships: $100,000 for students entering STEM/engineering programs — the largest STEM entrance award in Canada
- NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award: ~$7,125 for a summer research project with a faculty supervisor
- University entrance awards: Most engineering schools offer automatic entrance scholarships at 85%+ admission averages
- Engineers Canada Awards: Various scholarships and awards for engineering students across Canada
- Professional engineering associations: PEO (Ontario), APEGA (Alberta), EGBC (BC), and others offer student awards
- Industry-sponsored scholarships: Companies like SNC-Lavalin, Stantec, WSP, and tech firms sponsor engineering awards
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Co-op as a funding strategy
Engineering co-op programs are one of the best financial advantages in Canadian post-secondary education:
- Waterloo Engineering Co-op: 6 co-op terms earning $15,000–$30,000+ each — many students graduate debt-free
- UBC Engineering Co-op: 4, 8, or 12-month placements with competitive salaries
- U of T PEY: 12-16 month paid internship (typically $40,000–$60,000+ total)
- McMaster Engineering Co-op: Integrated co-op option with paid work terms
- Co-op income can be strategically saved to cover remaining tuition and living costs
Tips for engineering students
Actionable advice for maximizing engineering-specific funding:
- Get nominated for Schulich Leader early — talk to your guidance counsellor in fall of Grade 12
- Apply for NSERC USRA in 2nd or 3rd year — it significantly strengthens your graduate school applications
- Check if your engineering department offers TA positions — these often include partial tuition coverage
- Women in Engineering scholarships are widely available and often less competitive — apply to all that fit
- Join your university's engineering society — they often manage student-run bursary and award funds
Frequently asked questions
The Schulich Leader Scholarship at $100,000 over 4 years is the largest entrance award for engineering students in Canada. It's awarded through high school nominations.
Most do. Typical thresholds are 85%+ for smaller awards and 90%+ or 95%+ for larger ones. Check each university's engineering faculty scholarship page for specific amounts and thresholds.
Engineering co-op salaries vary by term and discipline but typically range from $15,000 to $30,000+ for a 4-month term. Software engineering and tech co-ops tend to pay at the higher end.
Yes. Most engineering faculties offer Women in Engineering awards. Professional associations like OSPE and APEGA also have women-in-engineering scholarship programs.
Yes. Engineering scholarships can be combined with government student aid. Large scholarships may reduce your assessed need for loans but typically don't reduce grants.
Official source:
Engineers Canada – Awards and Honours
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Last verified: March 2026
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Always confirm details directly with the program provider before applying.
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