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About the McGill University Entrance Bursary
Are you an academically driven student from a low- or modest-income background who dreams of studying in Canada? McGill University, one of the world’s leading research-intensive institutions, is once again opening its doors to financially challenged students through its Entrance Bursary Program for the 2025 academic session.
The bursary is specifically designed to ease the financial burden of newly admitted undergraduate students, especially those coming from families that may not be able to meet the full costs of university education. Through this program, McGill reinforces its commitment to making higher education accessible to students from all corners of the globe.
The McGill Entrance Bursary Program is a financial aid initiative intended to support academically capable students who may otherwise be unable to attend the university due to financial constraints. The bursary is targeted at students from families with low to moderate income levels and is available to both Canadian and international students entering their first year of full-time undergraduate study.
In addition to providing direct financial support, McGill’s bursary recipients are automatically granted eligibility to participate in the University’s Work Study Program, allowing them to seek part-time employment on campus during the academic year.
This bursary program complements other sources of financial aid, such as government student loans, Indigenous Band Support Funding, part-time work, parental assistance, and scholarships.
Some of the bursaries awarded under this program are renewable, allowing students to receive continued support for up to four years, provided they demonstrate ongoing financial need and maintain good academic standing throughout their studies.
Eligible Fields
The Entrance Bursary Program is open to all undergraduate programs offered at McGill University. No field of study is excluded. This means students entering faculties such as Arts, Science, Engineering, Education, Music, Management, and Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are all eligible to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the McGill University Entrance Bursary Program, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Enrollment Status
Must be newly admitted to a full-time undergraduate degree program at McGill University, starting in Fall 2025. - Demonstrated Financial Need
Applicants must show clear financial need. This includes the intent to apply for government financial assistance or Indigenous Band Support Funding (for eligible students). - Special Provisions for Students with Disabilities
Students registered with McGill’s Student Accessibility & Achievement service who are pursuing a reduced course load may also be eligible for financial aid. - Residency Considerations
Students from all countries are eligible, including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, U.S. students, and all other international applicants.
Selection Criteria
The amount of bursary awarded to each student is calculated based on the following factors:
- Level of financial need demonstrated by the student and their family, relative to the need shown by other applicants.
- Tuition fee rate, which depends on the student’s program of study and residency status — categorized as Quebec, Rest of Canada, United States, or International.
There is no minimum academic average required, but applicants are expected to meet McGill’s admission standards and demonstrate sufficient academic strength for university-level work.
Eligible Countries
The McGill Entrance Bursary Program is open to applicants from all over the world. Whether you are an international student from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or Oceania, or a Canadian citizen living abroad, you are welcome to apply if you meet the financial and academic requirements.
Benefits of the McGill University Entrance Bursary
This bursary offers several key advantages to eligible students:
- Direct financial support to offset tuition, housing, or other academic expenses. The exact amount varies based on individual need and program costs.
- Automatic access to the Work Study Program, which allows recipients to apply for part-time, paid jobs within the university community.
- Renewable bursary opportunities for up to four years, contingent on continued financial need and academic progress.
- Two disbursements per year, with the award split equally between the Fall and Winter semesters.
By providing both immediate financial relief and opportunities for on-campus work, McGill ensures that students are well supported throughout their studies.
How to Apply
Applicants must first receive and accept an offer of admission from McGill University before they can access the bursary application form. Once admitted, follow these two key steps:
Step 1: Apply Through Minerva
Log into the Minerva Student Portal, then navigate to:
- Financial Aid/Awards tab
- Financial Aid Menu
- Apply for a McGill Entrance Bursary
- Complete and submit the Entrance Bursary application
Step 2: Submit a CSS Financial Aid Profile
This step is mandatory for certain student categories, including:
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents living outside of Canada
- United States citizens and permanent residents
- All other international students
The CSS Profile collects additional financial data that helps McGill accurately assess your need.
Note: Students with disabilities who require assistance with the application process should reach out to McGill’s financial aid office for support.
Note: The deadline to apply for the Entrance Bursary Program is June 30, 2025. Applicants are advised to begin the process as soon as they receive their admission offer, as the bursary application can only be accessed after an official acceptance by the University.
Final Thoughts
The McGill University Entrance Bursary Program is an excellent financial support opportunity for international and domestic students who have the academic potential to succeed but face economic challenges.
Whether you’re a student from Nigeria, India, the United States, or anywhere else in the world, if financial barriers are standing between you and a world-class education, McGill’s bursary program can help bridge that gap. With generous support, the opportunity to work on campus, and a strong community of scholars, McGill offers an inclusive environment for students ready to make a difference.
Act early, prepare your financial documents, and take the first step toward studying at one of Canada’s top-ranked universities in 2025.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
See also:
Tokyo University Amgen Scholars Program 2025: Apply Now!
The Letten Prize 2025 for Researchers: Apply Now!
World Trade Organization Internship Program 2025
Apply for the $5,000 Pathways Access Scholarship
