Carleton University Scholarship 2026 offers a wide range of financial awards to undergraduate students, including entrance, prestige, and program-specific scholarships. With over $26.5 million awarded last year, Carleton provides renewable scholarships based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and financial need. Both domestic and international students can benefit from these generous awards.
Carleton University, located in Ottawa, Canada, is renowned for its strong scholarship and bursary programs, ranking #4 in Canada for Scholarships and Bursaries in Maclean’s 2026 University Rankings. The university is committed to supporting students through automatic entrance scholarships for high achievers, competitive prestige awards, and various bursaries and work-study opportunities, ensuring access to quality education.
Carleton University Scholarship Benefits
- Automatic consideration for renewable Entrance Scholarships with admission average of 85% or better.
- Prestige Scholarships for students with 90%+ average and strong extracurricular involvement.
- Page Program Entrance Scholarships valued at $1,000 for House of Commons Page Program students.
- President’s Welcome Award for International Students ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 CAD.
- Arthur Kroeger College National Scholarships of $2,000 for Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management students from specific regions.
- The Law Scholarship in Architectural Studies: $10,000 for international students from China/Hong Kong entering Bachelor of Architectural Studies.
- W.H. Collins Entrance Scholarships of Excellence: $3,000 for top students entering Earth Sciences.
- Carleton University Entrance Bursary for students with financial need.
- Leadership Entrance Bursary for students demonstrating leadership in extracurriculars and community service.
- Work Study Program offering on-campus employment to help finance studies.
Carleton University Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Must be entering Carleton University for the first time from high school or CÉGEP (for most entrance scholarships).
- No previous attendance at post-secondary educational institutions.
- Admission average of 85% or better for Entrance Scholarships.
- Admission average of 90% or better for Prestige Scholarships, plus demonstrated extracurricular activities.
- International students entering directly from high school and paying international fees are eligible for the President’s Welcome Award.
- Specific regional or program criteria apply for some scholarships (e.g., Atlantic Canada, Ontario, etc. for Arthur Kroeger scholarships).
- Earth Sciences program entry for W.H. Collins scholarships.
- Financial need demonstrated for bursaries and Work Study.
Required Documents
- Undergraduate admission application
- Official academic transcripts
- Final grades or predicted results
- Reference letters (for selected scholarships)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé
- Activity summary highlighting leadership and extracurricular involvement
- Personal statement (where required)
Types of Carleton University Scholarships
Entrance Scholarships (Automatic)
- Awarded to students with an admission average of 80% or higher
- Automatically considered upon admission
- Renewable for up to four years
- Available to students entering directly from high school or CÉGEP
Prestige Scholarships
Available for students with exceptional academic achievement and leadership qualities.
Prestige awards include:
- Chancellor’s Scholarship
- Richard Lewar Entrance Scholarship
- Carleton University Scholarship of Excellence
Applicants generally require:
- Admission average of 90% or above
- Leadership and extracurricular involvement
- Scholarship application
- Reference letter
Scholarships for International Students
President’s Welcome Award
- Value: CAD $2,000–$5,000
- For international students entering directly from high school
- Automatic consideration upon admission
International Students’ Award
- Value: CAD $10,000
- Awarded to selected international students
- May require acceptance of the admission offer and payment of the tuition deposit within the specified deadline
The Law Scholarship in Architectural Studies
- Value: CAD $10,000
- For eligible international students from China and Hong Kong
- Available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Architectural Studies program
- Separate application required
Scholarships for Canadian Students
Carleton Capital Scholarship
- Value: CAD $2,000
- Available to outstanding Canadian students
- Application required
Arthur Kroeger College National Scholarships
- Value: CAD $2,000
- For students entering the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management program
W.H. Collins Entrance Scholarships of Excellence
- Value: CAD $3,000
- Awarded to top students entering the Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences
- No separate application required
Page Program Entrance Scholarships
- Value: CAD $1,000
- Available to participants of the House of Commons Page Program
Need-Based Bursaries
Carleton also offers financial assistance through:
- Carleton Entrance Bursary
- Leadership Entrance Bursary
- Additional need-based financial aid programs
How to Apply for Carleton University Scholarship
- Apply for admission to Carleton University for the fall term, ensuring all required grades are submitted by June 15 to be considered for Entrance Scholarships.
- For Prestige Scholarships, submit a separate application and a letter of reference by March 1.
- For the Law Scholarship in Architectural Studies, an application is required.
- Apply online for the Carleton University Entrance Bursary by June 30.
- For Leadership Entrance Bursary, an application is required.
- No separate application needed for automatic scholarships like W.H. Collins, Page Program, and President’s Welcome Award.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Carleton University Scholarship 2026. These cover eligibility, benefits, application deadlines, and other important details to help you apply successfully.
What are the eligibility criteria for entrance scholarships at Carleton University?
To be eligible for an entrance scholarship, you must be entering Carleton directly from high school or CÉGEP with no previous post-secondary attendance. You need a minimum admission average of 85%. Your complete application and all required grades must be received by June 15.
How do I apply for the Prestige Scholarships?
Prestige Scholarships require a separate application and a letter of reference, due by March 1. You must have an admission average of 90% or higher, and the selection committee will review your community and extracurricular activities. Only first-time entrants from high school or CÉGEP are considered.
Are international students eligible for scholarships?
Yes, international undergraduate students applying for September 2027 can be automatically considered for the President’s Welcome Award, valued between $2,000 and $5,000 CAD. This is in addition to any other entrance scholarships. Students must be entering directly from high school and paying international fees.
What is the deadline for the Carleton University Entrance Bursary?
To be considered for the Entrance Bursary, you must apply online by June 30. This bursary is based primarily on financial need and helps cover direct education costs of first-year studies.
Are scholarships renewable?
Many entrance scholarships at Carleton are renewable, provided you maintain full-time status and meet the required academic standing. For example, the W.H. Collins Entrance Scholarship is renewable for one additional year if you remain in Earth Sciences and achieve an annual GPA of 10.0.
Can transfer students get scholarships?
Transfer students from college or another university are not eligible for entrance scholarships upon admission. However, after completing one full academic year as a full-time student at Carleton, you may be considered for general in-course scholarships.
What is the value of the President’s Welcome Award?
The President’s Welcome Award for International Students is valued between $2,000 and $5,000 CAD, depending on the student’s grades at the time of admission. There is no limit on the number of awards given.
Does Carleton offer scholarships for specific programs?
Yes, Carleton offers several program-specific awards. For example, the Arthur Kroeger College National Scholarships for the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management, and The Law Scholarship in Architectural Studies for international students from China/Hong Kong entering the Bachelor of Architectural Studies.
How does Carleton’s Work Study Program help students?
The Work Study Program provides part-time on-campus employment for students demonstrating financial need. This not only helps finance their studies but also offers valuable work experience. Career Services also support job searches.
Are there scholarships for Indigenous students or students with disabilities?
Yes, Carleton offers dedicated awards like the Joyce Family Foundation Bursary and Humphrey Law Bursary for Indigenous students, as well as scholarships and financial assistance through the Paul Menton Centre for students with disabilities.
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