Entrance Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries for Future/New Students

Lakehead University offers one of the top entrance scholarship programs to direct from high school Canadian students in the country. Canadians studying outside of a provincial high school will be considered on an individual basis.

Academic Entrance Scholarships

Fall 2025 Entry and Winter 2026 Entry

Who Is Eligible?

Academic Entrance Scholarships are automatically awarded, with no application required, to scholars entering Lakehead University directly from a recognized Canadian high school curriculum.

Are Entrance Scholarships Renewable?

Yes – students awarded a renewable Academic Entrance Scholarship must maintain a minimum 80% or 90% average in each academic year, according to the terms found in the Scholarship Offer. A normal full course load is required in each year of study.

* A $4,000 offer will be provided in May if the student’s top 6 average of U or M midterm and/or final marks are greater than 95%.

** Free Tuition is provided if a student received an offer of $4,000 in May and they maintained their average at least with a 95% average in the top 6 U or M final course marks.  If the student’s average drops below 95% and they received a Round 1 offer of $4,000, you will receive a $4,000 renewable entrance scholarship.  The $4,000 and free tuition scholarships are renewable provided a 90% average is achieved in each academic year. If a student’s university academic average falls between 80.0% - 89.9%, the student will receive an amended scholarship valued at $2,500 / year for each subsequent academic year for the remaining term of the scholarship.

† Renewable providing an 80% average is achieved in each academic year.

How and When Are Entrance Scholarship Offers Made?

Entrance Scholarship averages are calculated at two separate times throughout the year.  

May:  Top six (6) Grade 12 U or M midterm and final academic marks will be used at the time of the scholarship offer.

July:  Top six (6) Grade 12 U or M final marks will be used at the time of the scholarship offer.

If you are from a different province, you must ensure your transcript is provided to the Office of Enrolment Services - Undergraduate Admissions as per the following:

• For May calculations, transcripts are due by April
• For July calculations, transcripts are due by July

Can The Value Of My Entrance Scholarship Offer Change?

Yes, your scholarship offer can always improve! Your final Entrance Scholarship value will be the best value from either of the two rounds.

What does Free Tuition cover?

Free Tuition covers Tuition only. Compulsory Ancillary Fees must still be paid to the University by the published due date(s). Questions about ancillary fees can be directed to accounts@lakeheadu.ca

Terms and Conditions

Scholarship terms and conditions.

Please visit the Lakehead University International student webpage for information concerning international entrance scholarships.

In our continued commitment to recognize outstanding high school students, Lakehead University is pleased to offer up to two Presidential Scholarships annually.

Value:

Up to 2 scholarships valued at $30,000 ($7,500/year for 4 years)

Eligibility:

• Awarded to up to 2 outstanding Canadian high school students who have demonstrated leadership qualities and have made significant contributions to their high school and community.
• A minimum 90% average in Grade 12 U or M level courses as of May 2025
• Must be direct from high school (no previous post secondary studies)
• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Must plan to attend Lakehead University on a full-time basis in 2025/2026

Application Process:

• Click here to download the Lakehead University Presidential Scholarship Instruction Sheet - Available September 2024
• Click here to download the Lakehead University Presidential Scholarship Application Form - Available September 2024
• Email all documents, including reference letters, in one email indicating PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION - LAST NAME, First Name in the subject heading to Student Central at awards.safa@lakeheadu.ca.

Application Deadline: April 25 annually 

Additional Information:

• Candidates selected for an interview will be interviewed virtually.
• The Presidential Scholarship will supersede previous Academic Entrance Scholarship offers.
• Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Awarded to 10 graduating students from eligible high schools in Northwestern Ontario and Simcoe County who model good citizenship within their high school and community.

Value:

$3,000 (payable in 1st year only)

Eligibility:

• Minimum 85% average in Grade 12 U or M academic marks as of May 2025
• Must be a citizen, permanent resident, or landed immigrant of Canada
• Must plan to attend Lakehead University in the upcoming year on a full-time basis
• Must be nominated by an eligible high school guidance department

Application Process:

• Eligible high school nominates one (1) student by February 15 annually
• Eligible high school directs student to complete the "Supplemental Application". Click here to download the Supplemental Application for 2025/2026 - Available October 2024

• Supplemental application package must be completed electronically in MS Word
• Click here to upload your completed supplemental application using your Lakehead email address until midnight on the deadline

Deadline: March 15 annually

Additional Information:

• There is no limit on the number of pages submitted so be as detailed or as concise as you would like! Just be sure to provide us with a good understanding of your involvement within your high school and community.
• If uploaded using your Lakehead email account, a typed signature is considered signed. Students may also choose to save the completed document as a PDF and sign electronically.
• This scholarship may be combined with the Lakehead University Academic Entrance Scholarship up to the maximum value of free tuition. This scholarship cannot be held with the Lakehead University Presidential Scholarship or the free tuition scholarship.
• High schools from Northwestern Ontario & Simcoe County may nominate one (1) student. If the student does not meet the scholarship criteria at the time of review or chooses not to attend Lakehead University on a full-time basis, the high school cannot nominate another student.
• The ten (10) recipients of the Northwestern Ontario & Simcoe County Citizenship Scholarship will be notified annually in May after verifying OUAC upload of grades- required 85% average in top Grade 12 U or M academic marks.  

If one of your immediate family members is a graduate of Lakehead University, then consider applying for the Alumni Association of Lakehead University Entrance Award. 

Value:

$10,000 ($2,500/year for 4 years)

Eligibility:

• be an immediate family member of a Lakehead University alumnus/alumna
• have sound academic credentials (minimum 80% overall average)
• demonstrate strong leadership qualities and community involvement
• plan to attend Lakehead University the following academic year on a full-time basis

To view the eligibility criteria and conditions of the award, please visit the Alumni Association page at the following link: Lakehead University Alumni Association.

Application Process:

The Lakehead University Alumni Association reviews applications and selects the recipient. To apply, please visit the Alumni Association page at the following link: Lakehead University Alumni Association

Application Deadline: April 30 annually

Value: 

Up to $5,000

Eligibility:

Available to entering student athletes in Thunder Bay with
 a minimum admission average of 80%,
 who meet CIS and OUA eligibility criteria,
 and who will be members of a 
2024-2025 Lakehead University 
Varsity team are eligible for 
consideration.

You are encouraged 
to contact the Lakehead University 
Department of Athletics for more information:

Lakehead University Athletics

955 Oliver Road

Thunder Bay, ON

P7B 5E1

Phone: (807) 343-8213

The Province of Ontario created the specialist high skills major (SHSM) program to help meet the needs, interests, and strengths of all students, engaging them in learning and better preparing them for graduation and beyond.

That is why Lakehead University has created the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Award and made it available to students entering directly from high school and who have a SHSM designation on their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).  Our SHSM Award is designed to help you continue exploring your interests and set your own path.

Value:

Up to $500 (payable in 1^st year)

Eligibility:

• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Must be a Grade 12 high school student completing one of the following Specialist High Skills Majors: Arts & Culture; Business; Environment; Health & Wellness; Mining; or Sports
• Must demonstrate financial need
• Based on full-time registration in an undergraduate program for the upcoming academic year

Application Process: Click here to complete your Specialist High Skills Major Award Application. Please use your Lakehead University username and password to access this application.

Deadline:  April 15 annually

Transfer Award

If you are a transfer student that will be registered in full-time undergraduate studies at Lakehead University in a diploma or first degree program, you may be eligible for the Transfer Student Award.

Value: up to $1000

Eligibility: 

• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Must have taken prior studies in an academic program at an accredited Community College, Bible College, or University
• Must not have completed a first degree but may have completed a diploma program
• must have a Lakehead University Admissions average of 70% or greater from previous postsecondary institution(s)
• Must be able to demonstrate financial need

Application Process:

To apply for the upcoming academic year, login into Lakehead University's myServices. 

Part 1- Complete the Transfer Award application on myServices > Admission > Apply for Financial Aid > Transfer Award Application

Part 2- Complete the Mature/Transfer Student Bursary application on myServices > Admission > Apply for Financial Aid > Mature/Transfer Student Bursary Application

Both applications must be submitted by June 30. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Part 3- Email an unofficial or official copy of your transcript (that includes your final grades from the winter if applicable) by June 30 to awards.safa@lakeheadu.ca with the following subject heading: Transfer Award- [Last Name], [First Name]. Please include your Lakehead student number in the email.

Deadline:  Open March 1- June 30 annually

Additional Information:

The award is offered on the basis of academic performance in post-secondary studies and demonstrated financial need. The value depends on the quality and number of eligible students in a given year. Students must login to myServices with their user name and password to apply (see Application Process above). The login information is provided by Lakehead University, Office of Admissions in the Thank You for Applying acknowledgement email.

Whether you are visiting us for a Campus Tour or a Campus Open House, we offer up to $500 in financial assistance to prospective students who are currently in grade 12 and travelling from a distance to come experience what it is like to be a student at Canada's #1 Value Added University. The application must be submitted within three weeks of your campus visit, or three weeks after you have submitted an application for admission to Lakehead University, whichever is later. You must visit campus by July 15, 2025.

There is no better way to find out if Lakehead University is the right place for you than to see it for yourself. Hundreds of students and their families visit Lakehead every year from across Ontario and the rest of Canada. We know how important it is for you to have the opportunity to explore the campus, check out residence, meet with your future professors and get a feel for our cities!

Value:

Up to $500

Eligibility:

• Be a citizen, permanent resident, or landed immigrant of Canada
• Be a Canadian Grade 12 high school student*
• Must travel at least 150 km to come experience our campus in person
• Demonstrate financial need
• Refer to the application form below for additional eligibility requirements and important deadlines!
• Must have submitted an application for admission to Lakehead University

*For those visiting campus during the summer prior to their Grade 12 year, we consider students to be in Grade 12 once successful completion of Grade 11 has occurred.

Application Process: Complete the Campus Tour Bursary Application. Please complete your application with digital attachments of original receipts within 3 weeks of your visit to the Office of Student Recruitment.

Deadline: July 15 annually

Awarding of Bursary:

Enrolment Services - Student Awards & Financial Aid will notify you of your eligible bursary amount. In order to receive the bursary, you must register and attend a full-time undergraduate program at Lakehead University starting September 2025. The bursary will be credited to your Lakehead University Statement of Account and applied towards your tuition fees for the 2025-2026 school year.

For more information on the Campus Tour Bursary, please contact Enrolment Services - Undergraduate Recruitment at (807) 343-8500 or by email at recruit@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University's exceptional entrance bursary program can provide students entering directly from high school funds to help pay for their education.  This is an excellent opportunity to see how Lakehead can further support your education. 

Value: Up to $3,000

• Destination Lakehead Entrance Bursary up to $2,000.00, and/or
• Destination Lakehead Travel Bursary top up of up to $1,000.00

Eligibility:

• Demonstrate financial need
• Be a citizen, permanent resident, or landed immigrant of Canada
• Have no previous post-secondary education
• Be a high school student entering directly from high school in the proceeding academic year, and
• Travelling at least 250 km to attend your selected campus to be considered for the travel bursary.

Application Process: To apply for the upcoming academic year, login to Lakehead University's myServices > Admission > Apply for Financial Aid > Entrance Bursary Application.

Deadline: Open January 1 to June 30 annually

Awarding of Bursaries:

Initial round of entrance bursary offers to be extended on April 15 with the final round occurring on June 30. Early applications will be approved within 5 business days following the April 15 deadline allowing students to plan their budget for the upcoming fall/winter academic year. Approved bursaries will be credited to the qualified students Lakehead University account as of the first day of classes. 

Are you a mature or transfer student who will be attending Lakehead University in the fall semester?  If yes, then you will want to apply for this opportunity.  The Transfer and Mature student bursary is available for students that are coming to Lakehead University, but not directly from high school.  

Value: Up to $1,000

Eligibility:

• Be transferring to Lakehead University from a college or university, or coming to Lakehead University with no previous post-secondary education (but not directly from high school)
• Be a Canadian citizen or have Permanent Resident status 
• Be enrolled in full-time undergraduate studies starting in September
• Demonstrate financial need 
• Prior consideration will be given to students who have applied for OSAP and/or other provincial student aid programs

Application Process: To apply for the upcoming academic year, login to Lakehead University's myServices > Admission > Apply for Financial Aid > Mature/Transfer Student Bursary Application.

Deadline:  Open from March 1st to June 30th annually.

To be considered, applicants must:

• apply for admission and be accepted to a direct-entry undergraduate program at either of Lakehead University's campuses in Thunder Bay or Orillia. For Indigenous students, this may include an Indigenous Access Program; 
• be eligible to receive funding and demonstrate financial need through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP);
• maintain at least a 60% course load or 40% for students with an identified permanent disability;
• provide documentation to support the application (e.g. letter from a current or previous Case Manager from either the Thunder Bay Children's Aid Society, Thunder Bay Child & Family Services Agency, Simcoe Muskoka Children's Aid Society, or the Simcoe Muskoka Child & Family Services Agency).

To learn more about the Youth-in-Care tuition waiver please visit: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/studentcentral/financing-budgeting/yic_waiver