Man JoeThe Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2024-2025 for International Students is presently underway. This page covers the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST).
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) programs promote excellence in graduate studies at Ontario’s publicly funded universities.
Both programs are co-funded by the Ontario government and partner institutions. The government contributes two-thirds of the awards’ value, with the university providing the remaining one-third.
Overview of the Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2024–2025
Students are considered for the OGS and QEII-GSST at Waterloo, utilizing a single application. Both scholarships are equally prestigious.
The distinction between the OGS and QEII-GSST scholarships is as follows:
- OGS is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students across all academic areas.
- QEII: Only individuals participating in research-based graduate programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields—that is, Canadian citizens and permanent residents—are eligible for GSST.
Value of the Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2024-2025 for International Students
Each OGS and QEII-GSST is worth a maximum of $15,000 each year. The award is paid in $5,000 increments over two or three terms.
Waterloo recognizes high academic accomplishment among its graduate students by giving the President’s Graduate Scholarship (PGS) to those receiving an OGS or QEII-GSST.
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Start date
Successful OGS and QEII-GSST recipients will begin their scholarships in 2024–2025. Spring 2024, fall 2024, and winter 2025 are all acceptable start dates.
Duration
Awards are non-renewable and valid for up to one year. To be considered, applicants must submit an annual application.
Recipients may keep the scholarship for a minimum of two terms (a total of $10,000) or up to three terms (a total of $15,000). Accepting an OGS/QEII-GSST for a single term is not permitted.
Important dates:
Waterloo’s OGS/QEII-GSST program is divided into two competitions based on citizenship (foreign and domestic).
Applicants will be evaluated according to their citizenship status as of the application deadline.
New: The OGS international competition deadlines have been changed to the winter term, along with the OGS/QEII-GSST domestic competition.
International OGS Competition Deadlines
The deadline to submit the transcript request webform is February 1, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. (ET).
February 1, 2024: Deadline for submitting OGS/QEII-GSST applications to the department graduate coordinator.
The deadline for referees to transmit reference letters to the applicant’s department graduation coordinator is February 1, 2024.
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Note: Due to the limited number of grants available, international students must be enrolled in a graduate program at Waterloo or on an approved leave of absence/inactive term by February 1, 2024, to be considered. All scholarship recipients must be full-time students.
Domestic OGS/QEII-GSST Competition Deadlines
The deadline to submit the transcript request webform is February 1, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. (ET).
February 1, 2024: Deadline for submitting OGS/QEII-GSST applications to the department graduate coordinator.
The deadline for referees to transmit reference letters to the applicant’s department graduation coordinator is February 1, 2024.
February 1, 2024: Deadline to apply for admission to a graduate program at Waterloo (if appropriate).
Ontario Graduate Scholarship Eligibility criteria
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Citizenship
International applicants must have a valid study permit under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada).
Domestic applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada).
Minimum academic requirements.
Applicants must have obtained a first-class average (minimum of A-/80%) in each of the last two full years of study (full-time equivalent).
Eligibility averages are calculated based on grades from your most recent academic history through August 31, 2024, regardless of program or relevance to your current or intended program. Waterloo is expected to follow these guidelines set by Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU).
Program of Studies
OGS grants are open to applicants from all academic disciplines (including research and course-based programs).
QEII-GSST grants are exclusively available to applicants pursuing research-based graduate programs in STEM disciplines.
*Note: Course-based students’ application packages must include proof of all criteria for evaluation, including research skills.
Registration/Admission Status
International applicants must:
To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled in a graduate program at Waterloo or on an approved leave of absence/inactive term before February 1, 2024.
Prospective graduate students are not eligible to apply since there are a limited number of grants available for international students.
Domestic applicants must be registered in a Waterloo graduate program or on an approved leave of absence by February 1, 2024.
Alternatively, they can apply for full-time graduate admission with a start term of spring 2024, fall 2024, or winter 2025.
It should be noted that all students must be full-time students at the time they receive the scholarship.
How to Apply for Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2024-2025 for International Students
The OGS and QEII-GSST scholarships are not transferable. Applicants must apply separately at each institution where they want to be considered for an OGS/QEII-GSST.
As a result, applicants may need to submit numerous OGS/QEII-GSST applications to different universities. Each university has its application process and schedule.
Visit the Graduate Student Office to learn more
1. Confirm eligibility.
The applicant must study the qualifying requirements listed above before commencing the application process.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact your current/proposed department’s graduate coordinator.
2. Select your department.
Your OGS/QEII-GSST application should be sent to the department at Waterloo where you intend to hold the scholarship if you are selected.
If you will be enrolled in a graduate program at Waterloo by the application deadline and intend to begin the scholarship while in this department, submit your OGS/QEII-GSST application and reference letters there.
Domestic candidates only: Send your OGS/QEII-GSST application and reference letters to the department you are applying to if you are not presently enrolled in a graduate program at Waterloo. Your “proposed department” is this.
If you are applying to several graduate departments at Waterloo, you must choose one and submit your OGS/QEII-GSST application there.
Applicants can only submit one OGS/QEII-GSST application for each annual competition at Waterloo.
Awards are not transferable across faculties, and they may not be transferable between departments within a faculty.
3. Apply for admission (domestic applicants only):
Due to the limited number of prizes available, overseas applicants are not required to complete this step. International students must be enrolled in a graduate program at Waterloo or on an approved leave of absence/inactive term by February 1, 2024, to be considered.
Domestic applicants—Canadian/PR applicants who have not yet enrolled in a graduate program at Waterloo by the application deadline must apply for graduate program admission by February 1, 2024, in addition to completing an OGS/QEII-GSST application.
4. Transcripts
A comprehensive OGS/QEII-GSST application requires both Waterloo and non-Waterloo post-secondary transcripts.
Applicants must fill out the OGS/QEII-GSST applicant transcript request form (web form) before February 1, 2024.
By completing the OGS/QEII-GSST applicant transcript request form, GSPA will provide candidates with the following services for free:
Create a copy of their official Waterloo transcript (if relevant).
Obtain copies of official non-Waterloo transcripts that were disclosed and submitted as part of the Waterloo graduate admissions application.
Transcript packets will not be mailed to applicants directly. Instead, GSPA will deliver transcript packets to the graduate coordinator of the student’s current/proposed department or school, as mentioned in the transcript request.
Domestic competition only:
If eligible, applicants should first apply for admission and claim their WatIAM before filling out the web form using their Waterloo ID.
Prospective students applying for graduate admission must submit official transcripts from previous universities with their graduate entrance application by February 1.
If a student has not yet uploaded their transcripts as part of their admissions application, GSPA will “hold” the request until February 1. GSPA will handle the transcript request once all transcripts have been uploaded, provided that this is done before February 1.
In some situations, a specific transcript may not have been submitted with the applicant’s original admission application. If it is determined that the missing transcript is required, GSPA will contact the student via email.
If revisions need to be made to a submitted transcript request (for example, changing departments/schools), applicants should contact gsoaward@uwaterloo.ca with their name, student ID, and necessary adjustments.
5. Select referees
Two academic references are required as part of the entire OGS/QEII-GSST application package. Referees must send their letters directly to the department graduate coordinator of the applicant’s current/proposed department.
The email address and deadline for referees to submit their letters. Referees must email their letter to the department graduate coordinator of the student’s preferred department by February 1, 2024.
Reference letters should be signed and on letterhead (if accessible for the referee).
Referees should include the following in their letters:
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applicant’s full name
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Complete name, department, and title (if applicable) of the referee
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An explanation of the capacity in which they have known the candidate
Strengths of the applicant about the tri-agency equivalent of the OGS/QEII-GSST evaluation criteria: Academic distinction, aptitude for and capacity for research, communication, and leadership abilities.
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