Entrance Academic Grants

Entrance Academic Grant Regulations

1. Entrance Academic Grants are monetary awards allocated on the basis of academic merit, and in some cases other forms of earned merit, and demonstrated financial need.
2. Entrance Academic Grants are available to students admitted full-time on the basis of high school admission requirements.
3. Entrance Academic Grants are available to full-time and part-time students entering Level 1 of their first baccalaureate degree program.
4. Students who have enrolled at any post-secondary institution after graduation from high school are not eligible for Entrance Academic Grant, unless:
   1. They are completing a certificate or diploma at McMaster University as a requirement of admission (e.g. the McMaster English Language Diploma), and/or
   2. They have withdrawn from post-secondary studies before attending or before the deadline to drop and add courses in their first term of study.
5. Entrance Academic Grants are available to students who are Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada, Convention Refugees, or Protected Persons of Canada regardless of where they completed their high school education.
6. International students are not eligible for Academic Grants. 
7. Entrance Academic Grants first consider one or more McMaster University calculated admission and scholarship averages (e.g. final admission average).
8. Students must achieve a minimum 80% in the average(s) used to determine Entrance Academic Grant eligibility.  An admission audition, portfolio score, or equivalent may be included in the calculation of an average.
9. Averages for Entrance Academic Grants are calculated using the course grades that form the basis for admission to the Level 1 program. Final grades for courses completed after June 30^th in the year of admission application will not be considered in assessing eligibility for Entrance Academic Grants.
10. Entrance Academic Grants requiring full-time status are available to students enrolled full-time or equivalent in both the fall and winter.
11. Entrance Academic Grants may also consider other forms of earned merit.  To evaluate earned merit, students may need to complete one or more additional requirements including, but not limited to, submitting an application, participating in an interview, performing an audition, or developing a portfolio.
12. To be considered for an Entrance Academic Grant by application, students must submit a complete application by the specified deadline date.
13. Entrance Academic Grant applications which meet eligibility criteria are forwarded to a selection committee for review and ranking.
14. Entrance Academic Grants are allocated on the basis of an eligible course load and financial need as demonstrated through a completed Canadian federal and/or provincial government student aid application (e.g. full-time OSAP) or a completed standard University need profile for the academic year in which the student is entering Level 1 of their program.
15. The greater calculated financial need is used to break any tie.
16. Students may receive a maximum of one Entrance Academic Grant.
17. Students must be enrolled in at least the full-time OSAP eligible course load used to determine their eligibility to have an Entrance Academic Grant payment processed.
18. All Entrance Academic Grant payments are disbursed through the McMaster Student Account and are applied to outstanding charges. A few exceptions to this regulation may be approved by the Office of the Registrar, Aid & Awards.
19. Entrance Academic Grants are typically disbursed September through the end of December.
20. Entrance Academic Grant recipients will have their awards noted on their University transcript.
21. Registration in, or transfer to, another program of study and/or a change in course load may result in forfeiture or adjustment in the value of the Entrance Academic Grant.  Students are advised to consult with the Office of the Registrar prior to making any changes to their program of study or course load.
22. Students withdrawing from courses without failure by default in the Winter term will forfeit their Entrance Academic Grant.
23. Students who forfeit their Entrance Academic Grant will have their grant cancelled and their transcript notation removed.  Students must return the Entrance Academic Grant funding to their McMaster Student Account.
24. Some Entrance Academic Grants are renewable (see In-Course and Renewal Academic Grant Regulations).
25. The University may choose not to grant an Entrance Academic Grant in the absence of a suitable candidate; may choose to limit the number of recipients selected where funding is limited; may choose to limit the number of recipients selected where too few suitable candidates exist; and/or may choose to generate applicant pools for awards by application, where complete applications have not been received.
26. The University may remove specific Entrance Academic Grants from the University Calendar, may revise the terms and stated value and/or suspend the granting of Entrance Academic Grants (e.g. donor funds).
27. Entrance Academic Grants supported by donor funds may have additional eligibility requirements.

Academic Grants for Entering Students

Open to Two or More Faculties

The Feeny/Tomkins Family Academic Grant

Established in 2022 by Dr. David Feeny, and Dr. Darrell Joan Tomkins, Professors Emeritus, in memory of David’s parents Mulley (Muriel) and Harold Feeny.

Requirements: To be granted to students entering Level 1 of any program with a high final admissions average, who demonstrate financial need, and who are the first generation in their family to attend post-secondary studies. The grant is tenable for up to 4 years provided the recipient maintains high averages and demonstrates financial need.

Typically Available: 1 x $ 3,000

Open to the DeGroote School of Business

The Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. Academic Grant

Established in 2012 by Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.

Requirements: To be awarded to a student entering the Commerce program in the DeGroote School of Business with a high final admission average who demonstrates financial need. The grant is tenable for up to four years provided the recipient is enrolled full-time in the DeGroote School of Business and maintains a minimum Fall-Winter Average of 9.5. To be awarded every four years.

Typically Available: 1 x $8,000 ($2,000/year) 

The Burdee Gibson Academic Grant

Established in 2007 by Scott Kinnear, B.Eng. (Class of ‘88) and Betty Ann Kinnear in memory of her mother, Burdee Gibson.

Requirements: To be awarded to a student entering Business I in the DeGroote School of Business who has a high final admission average and demonstrates financial need. Award is tenable for up to four years provided the recipient remains in the DeGroote School of Business and maintains a minimum Fall-Winter Average of 9.5. (To be awarded every four years.)

Typically Available: 1 x $4,000 ($1,000 /year)

The Carl Haller-Associated Medical Services, Inc. Academic Grant

Established in 2006 by Associated Medical Services, Inc. in honour of Carl Haller, B.A., Economics and Business (Class of ‘55) for his dedication and years of service on its Board of Directors.

Requirements: To be awarded to a student entering Business I in the DeGroote School of Business who has a high final admission average and demonstrates financial need.

Typically Available: 2 x $2,000

The Thelma Lazarowich Academic Grant

Established in 2005 by Michael Lypka, B. Com. (Class of ‘80) in memory of his grandmother.

Requirements: To be awarded to a student enrolled in 24 units or more in Business I in the DeGroote School of Business who has a high final admission average and demonstrates financial need. Award is tenable for up to four years provided the recipient remains in the DeGroote School of Business and maintains a minimum Fall-Winter Average of 9.5.

Typically Available: 1 x $20,000 ($5,000 per year)

The Lino Luison & Joanne Licursi Family Academic Grant

Established in 2017 by Lino Luison B.A.Hon. (Class of ‘79) and Joanne Licursi B.A.Hon. (Class of ‘79) in support of their belief that all students should have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals.

Requirements: To be granted to an entering student in the Honours Bachelor of Integrated Business and Humanities program who has achieved a high final admission average and demonstrates financial need.

Typically Available: 1 x $4,000

Open to the Faculty of Health Sciences

The Frith Academic Grant for Nursing Excellence

Established in 2009 by the Styles Family Foundation in recognition of the Hamilton General Hospital School of Nursing and, in particular, the graduating Class of 1954B of which Jacqueline Frith Styles was a member.

Requirements: To be awarded to the student entering B.Sc.N. program in the School of Nursing who has a high final admission average and demonstrates financial need. The award is tenable for up to four years provided the recipient remains enrolled in the School of Nursing and maintains a minimum Fall-Winter Average of 9.5.

Typically Available: 1 x $22,000 ($5,500 per year) 

The Dominic Rosart Academic Grant

Established in 2002 by Mrs. Patsy Rosart in loving memory of her husband Dominic Rosart.

Requirements: To be awarded to the student enrolled in Level 1 of program of study in the Faculty of Health Sciences who has the highest final admission average and is eligible for OSAP or an equivalent provincial student assistance program, Award is tenable for up to four years provided the recipient maintains a Fall-Winter Average of 9.5.

Typically Available: 1 x $20,000 ($5,000 per year)

Open to the Faculty of Science

The Dubeck Academic Grant

Established in 2006 by Dr. Michael Dubeck, B.Sc. (Class of ‘51) and M.Sc. (Class of ‘52).

Requirements: To be awarded to a student enrolling in a program of study in the Faculty of Science who has a high final admission average and demonstrates financial need. The grant is tenable for up to 4 years provided the recipient remains in the Faculty of Science and maintains a minimum Fall-Winter Average of 9.5.

Typically Available: 1 x $8,000 ($2,000 per year)

The Dubeck Memorial Academic Grant

Established in 2012 by Dr. Michael Dubeck B.Sc. (Class of ‘51), M.Sc. (Class of ‘52) in memory of his parents, Samuel and Elsie Dudyk who, through dedication and sacrifice, enabled their two sons to attend McMaster.

Requirements: To be awarded to students enrolled in Level 1 Environmental & Earth Sciences Gateway, Honours Integrated Sciences, Life Sciences Gateway, or Chemical and Physical Sciences Gateway in the Faculty of Science with a high admission average and who demonstrate financial need. The grant is tenable for up to four years provided the recipient remains enrolled full-time in the Faculty of Science and maintains a minimum Fall-Winter Average of 9.5.

Typically Available: 1 x $20,000 ($5,000 per year)

Open to the Faculty of Social Sciences

The Walter and Adeline Boychuk Academic Grant

Established in 2011 by Lynda Boychuk in honour of her parents, Walter and Adeline Boychuk.

Requirements: To be awarded to a Level 1 student in the Faculty of Social Sciences who has a high final admission average and demonstrates financial need.

Typically Available: 1 x $2,000