Money Matters

Current Undergraduate Students


Renewable scholarships

Current Dalhousie students who were offered a renewable entrance scholarship are automatically assessed to determine if they are eligible for renewal. This typically happens in mid August.

Your renewal criteria can be found in your award offer letter (or in DalOnline for students starting in fall 2020). If you misplaced your offer letter or need clarification of your renewal criteria, please contact awards@dal.ca. Renewal criteria generally include a minimum number of credit hours you are required to complete over two academic terms, and a minimum SGPA you are required to attain. Your SGPA is your Scholarship GPA - the average of the two term GPAs being assessed for scholarship purposes. Please note that your SGPA and your CGPA (Cumulative GPA) are different measurements.

If you do not meet your renewal criteria you will receive an email letting you know. If extenuating circumstances impacted your ability to meet your renewal criteria, you may submit an appeal through DalOnline. Further details on how to submit your appeal are provided in the email.

How does Co-op impact my renewable award?

Renewal Criteria

I am completing one work term during the academic year:

You must complete your required credit hours and achieve your SGPA over two terms (fall, winter or summer). You are not permitted to complete one work term and only one academic term; you must complete two academic terms as per your renewal criteria.

I am completing two work terms during the academic year:

You are required to complete half of your minimum required credit hours in one academic term. You must attain your required SGPA in that one term. For example, if your criteria state you must complete 30 credit hours over two academic terms and attain a 3.7 SGPA, when you are completing two work terms in a year you would be required to complete 15 credit hours in one academic term and attain a 3.7 term GPA.

Receiving your funding

Awards are applied to your student account in fall and winter each year. If you are on co-op during fall or winter, your award will still be applied to your student account. The funding can go toward future fees, or you can contact Student Accounts to request a refund.

Length of study

The large majority of our renewable awards are offered on a four-year schedule. If co-op extends your period of study into a fifth year, you will not be eligible for a renewal in that year. After your fourth year of study (and final year of your renewable award), you will be assessed for an in-course scholarship. If eligible, you will receive this award in your fifth year.

 

In-course scholarships

Students who do not hold renewable scholarships will be assessed for in-course scholarships ranging in value from $500 - $2,000. You are automatically assessed each year in late September, following completion of final summer term grades.

Minimum criteria to be assessed for an in-course scholarship is as follows:

  • Must have completed at least 30 credit hours of for-credit coursework at Dalhousie over two academic terms in the previous academic year (excluding transfer credits)
  • Must achieved a minimum SGPA of 3.70 over the two terms being assessed.

The academic year runs from September 1 - August 31.  

Please note: Meeting minimum criteria will not always lead to a scholarship award. Adjustments to award amounts and eligibility criteria may be required each year depending on factors such as the number of students meeting minimum criteria and budget available.

Your SGPA is your Scholarship GPA - the average of the two term GPAs being assessed for scholarship purposes. Please note that your SGPA and your CGPA (Cumulative GPA) are different measurements.

We apply your in-course scholarship to your upcoming year of study. For example, if you earn your in-course scholarship based on your credit hours and SGPA in your second year, you receive that funding in your third year. You must be registered full-time in order to receive your funding.

How does Co-op impact my in-course scholarship eligibility?

Co-op students are still eligible to be assessed for in-course scholarships.  

I am completing one work term during the academic year:

You must complete 30 credit hours over two academic terms (fall, winter or summer) and achieve a minimum 3.7 SGPA. You are not permitted to complete one work term, and only one academic term; you must complete two academic terms as per your renewal criteria.

I am completing two work terms during the academic year:

You must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours during one academic term and achieve a minimum term GPA of 3.70.

Our initial in-course assessment happens in July, but students completing an academic term over the summer will be assessed at the end of the summer term and notified in early September. 

 

Other award opportunities

Aramark Leadership Awards

The Aramark Leadership Award fund provides scholarships for returning Dalhousie undergraduate students registered in the Faculty of Architecture & Planning, Arts & Social Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Health Professions, Management, Science, or the Dental Hygiene program, who show leadership in the community. Several awards valued at $4,000 each will be awarded. Application will open in the fall.

Eligibility: Applicants must be registered full-time (at least 9 credit hours per term or a co-op work-term) Dalhousie undergraduate student during the previous academic year (min. two terms), and be currently registered as a full-time Dalhousie undergraduate student for the upcoming academic year (or on a co-op work-term), and be in good academic standing. Applicants must demonstrate a significant level of involvement and dedication to the Dalhousie community through the areas of leadership, citizenship, and/or sportsmanship.

W. Andrew MacKay Alumni Scholarships

The W. Andrew MacKay Alumni Scholarship fund provides several awards annually to undergraduate Dalhousie students who have demonstrated a significant level of involvement in and dedication to the Dalhousie community through the areas of leadership, citizenship, and/or sportsmanship. Award values change annually but typically range from $1,500 - $3,000.

Students must be nominated by their appropriate Department Head (under which their major falls), Dean or Director of their school. Each Department, College, and School is able to nominate one student per year for a MacKay Scholarship. Each Department, College, and School is responsible for establishing an internal procedure to select their nominee. A call for nominations for the W. Andrew MacKay Alumni Scholarships will take place in January 2024. The deadline to submit applications is March 10, 2024.

Eligibility: Applicants must have been a registered full-time (9 credit hours per term) Dalhousie student during the previous academic year (min. two terms), have a 3.30 CGPA or better, and currently be registered as a full-time Dalhousie student during the term of application. Students registered at the University of King’s College and the Faculty of Agriculture are not eligible.    

Faculty Awards

In researching your scholarship options, it's important to talk to your department. Many faculties administer their own scholarships, awards and prizes. You should contact your departments directly to inquire about these opportunities.