University · Hamilton, Ontario
McMaster University Scholarships & Financial Aid
McMaster University offers a range of entrance scholarships, including automatic Honour Awards for students entering with strong high school averages. McMaster also maintains significant bursary funding for students with financial need, plus departmental scholarships within programs like Health Sciences, Engineering, and Commerce.
McMaster Honour Award: Up to $4,000 (automatic at 90%+ average)
Provost's Honour Award: $3,000–$4,000 (competitive, for top admits)
Departmental scholarships: Available in Engineering, Health Sci, Commerce, and others
Need-based bursaries: Through McMaster Student Financial Aid & Scholarships
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Quick facts — McMaster University Scholarships & Financial Aid
McMaster Honour Award
Up to $4,000 (automatic at 90%+ average)
Provost's Honour Award
$3,000–$4,000 (competitive, for top admits)
Departmental scholarships
Available in Engineering, Health Sci, Commerce, and others
Need-based bursaries
Through McMaster Student Financial Aid & Scholarships
Location
Hamilton, Ontario
Last verified
March 2026
Entrance awards
McMaster provides automatic and competitive entrance awards based on admission average:
- McMaster Honour Award: Automatic entrance scholarship ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 based on admission average (typically 90%+)
- Provost's Honour Award: Higher-value competitive award for top applicants
- Faculty-specific awards: Engineering, Health Sciences, Commerce, and Science faculties offer additional entrance awards
- National competitive awards: McMaster students can be nominated for Schulich Leader Scholarships
Pro tip: Use our free 5-step quiz to see which of these programs you're eligible for — and get a ranked list of matching scholarships, grants, and bursaries in under 3 minutes.
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Bursaries and financial aid
McMaster offers substantial need-based financial support:
- McMaster General Bursary: Applied for each academic year through the Student Financial Aid & Scholarships office
- Emergency bursaries: Available for unexpected financial crises during the academic year
- Work-Study program: On-campus employment opportunities for students with financial need
- Indigenous student bursaries: Dedicated funding through McMaster Indigenous Student Services
Tips for McMaster students
Advice for maximizing your McMaster financial aid:
- The McMaster Honour Award is automatic — no separate application needed if your grades qualify
- Apply for the General Bursary through Mosaic (McMaster's student portal) every year
- Engineering and Health Sci students should check faculty-specific awards — they're often less competitive than university-wide awards
- OSAP recipients at McMaster should apply for institutional bursaries on top of OSAP — they stack
Frequently asked questions
Automatic Honour Awards typically start at a 90%+ admission average. Higher averages receive larger awards. Check the McMaster Student Financial Aid website for the current scholarship grid.
The entrance award itself is typically a one-time award. McMaster offers in-course scholarships for continuing students who maintain high academic standing.
Yes. McMaster offers co-op and internship options in several programs, including Engineering and Commerce. Co-op terms provide paid work experience that can help offset tuition costs.
Yes. Ontario residents at McMaster can receive OSAP grants and loans. Apply through ontario.ca/osap and also complete McMaster's institutional bursary application through Mosaic for additional funding.
Yes. McMaster offers competitive international entrance scholarships and in-course awards. Check the McMaster International Student Services website for details and eligibility.
Official source:
Student Financial Aid & Scholarships – McMaster University
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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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