Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada is renowned not only for its academic excellence but also for its generous scholarship and financial aid programs designed to attract, support, and reward high-achieving students from around the world. Whether you’re an incoming undergraduate student straight from high school, a transfer student, a graduate student, or an international applicant, Carleton offers a wide array of scholarship opportunities to help make your educational aspirations more affordable.
In this article, we deeply explore every major scholarship category — including entrance scholarships, prestige awards, bursaries, in-course options, and special international scholarships — along with eligibility requirements, award values, and application details.
Why Choose Carleton University Scholarships?
Carleton University provides one of the most robust scholarship ecosystems among Canadian universities. In recent academic years, over 13,000 scholarships and bursaries worth more than $27.1 million were awarded to undergraduate students alone.
These awards are designed to:
Celebrate academic excellence
Support leadership and extracurricular achievement
Provide financial aid based on need
Encourage diverse and international student participation
With this level of funding, students have real opportunities to minimize out-of-pocket costs while pursuing world-class education in Canada.
1. Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships
Entrance scholarships are some of the most sought-after awards at Carleton. These are beneficial because you may be considered automatically at the time of admission based on your high school grades.
Automatic Consideration
All applicants with an admission average of 80% or higher are automatically considered for renewable entrance scholarships. These awards are offered based on academic achievement and are usually renewable for all four years of undergraduate study — provided students maintain satisfactory academic performance.
This automatic assessment removes the need for a separate scholarship application for many students.
Scholarship Tiers by Admission Average
Scholarship Value (per year)
Admission Average
Max Value (4 yrs)
95%-100%
$4,000
$16,000
90%-94.9%
$3,000
$12,000
85%-89.9%
$2,000
$8,000
80%-84.9%
$1,000
$4,000
These renewable scholarships are contingent on maintaining a minimum B+ (10.0 GPA) throughout your studies.
2. Prestige Scholarships — Top Awards for Outstanding Students
For high-achieving students with a 90%+ admission average, Carleton offers its Prestige Scholarships — its most competitive and rewarding awards. These not only recognize academic achievement but also leadership, community involvement, and extracurricular excellence.
Examples of Prestige Scholarships
Chancellor’s Scholarship – substantial financial support.
Carleton University Scholarship of Excellence – renewable award.
Riordon Scholarship – full tuition coverage for four years.
Collins Prestige Scholarship – full tuition support.
Jay Woo & CAA Scholarship – significant renewable funding.
These awards are highly competitive and require not just top grades but also evidence of leadership, extracurricular involvement, and contributions to the community. Renewal typically requires maintaining a minimum GPA of 10.0 (A- average).
3. Special Entrance Award Categories
Beyond the main entrance and prestige programs, Carleton also offers targeted awards for specific groups:
Carleton Capital Scholarship
Value: $2,000 (first year)
Open to students from each province and territory in Canada.
Requires an exceptional academic record and extracurricular involvement.
President’s Welcome Award for International Students
Value: $2,000 – $5,000 CAD (one-time).
Automatically awarded to eligible international students entering from high school.
Arthur Kroeger College National Scholarships
For students entering the public affairs program from across different Canadian regions.
Value: $2,000.
4. Bursaries – Support Based on Need
In addition to merit-based scholarships, Carleton also offers bursaries for students who require financial support. Bursaries are need-based awards that do not need to be repaid.
Common Bursary Programs
Carleton University Entrance Bursary – helps cover first-year expenses.
Leadership Entrance Bursary – rewards students with strong extracurricular leadership.
Bursary applications are typically due by June 30 for incoming students.
5. Scholarships for Current and Transfer Students
If you weren’t awarded an entrance scholarship, you may still qualify for in-course awards after your first year at Carleton. These scholarships recognize academic excellence during your degree.
General In-Course Scholarships
Students with GPA 10.0–10.9 may receive $750.
Students with GPA 11.0+ may receive $1,000.
These awards are typically evaluated once grades are submitted at the end of the academic year.
Departmental Awards
Many departments at Carleton offer additional awards based on outstanding academic performance or leadership within your major. These can vary by faculty and are often awarded through nomination.
6. Graduate Scholarships and Awards
Carleton also supports graduate education with awards like:
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) – $15,000 per year.
Doctoral and Master’s project-specific scholarships in various research fields.
Requirements and amounts vary depending on the program and funding source, but graduate awards help cover tuition, research, and living expenses.
7. International Student Awards & Special Scholarships
International students — including those from Africa, Asia, and beyond — can access several unique scholarships:
Richard Van Loon Scholarship ($5,000) for outstanding international students.
Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship ($10,000) — for students impacted by conflict.
Smaller awards like the International Graduate Student Award and the International House Award help with additional costs.
While not all awards cover full tuition, they significantly support international students’ finances.
8. How to Apply & Important Tips
Application Essentials
Apply to Carleton University:
Before receiving scholarship consideration, you must be accepted to a degree program.
Submit Supporting Documents:
Some awards require extra applications or reference letters (especially Prestige Scholarships).
Check Deadlines:
Entrance scholarships often have deadlines as early as March 1 for select awards.
General Advice
Apply early for admission and submit all required documents by the deadlines.
Maintain strong grades after enrollment to renew renewable scholarships.
Explore the Carleton Awards Database for additional opportunities beyond what’s listed here.
Conclusion
Carleton University scholarships offer life-changing opportunities for students globally. From automatic entrance scholarships to prestigious leadership awards, need-based bursaries, and international student support, there are multiple pathways to fund your studies in Canada. With proper planning, timely applications, and solid academic performance, you can significantly reduce the financial barriers to achieving your educational goals at Carleton University.