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Student Awards & Financial Aid

In-course scholarships & awards

Undergraduate students who attend UVic in the regular Winter Session are eligible for a number of scholarships, awards, medals and prizes made available through contributions from corporate and individual donors as well as from the University operating budget. Scholarships, awards, medals and prizes are awarded to students on the basis of academic merit. These are referred to as in-course scholarships.

The majority of in-course scholarships do not require an application unless otherwise specified; they are awarded on the basis of academic merit or department nomination.

Categories

In-course scholarships and awards fall into three categories based on the application type. To be eligible, incourse students must normally be a full-time student registered in a minimum of 12 units for credit in two of the three terms of study in the 12 month (May to April) period immediately preceding the adjudication of the scholarships and awards.

Application required

  • Awarded based on GPA and other scholarship-specific criteria.
  • Requires either an application through a specific department (deadlines vary) or the UVic online application via Online tools which is open April 1 to May 31; students must normally have completed a minimum of 12.0 units for credit in two of the three terms of study in the 12 month (May to April) period immediately preceding the adjudication of the scholarships and awards.

Application not required

  • Awarded based on academic achievement in a minimum of 12 units for credit in two of the three terms of study in the 12 month period (May to April) immediately preceding the adjudication of awards.

Department or specific criteria

  • Awarded based on GPA and other scholarship-specific criteria.
  • May require an application either from the department or the Online tools online application for scholarships and awards.
Search in-course scholarships & awards

Regulations

Scholarships, medals & prizes

Scholarships, medals and prizes are awarded to students primarily on the basis of academic merit. Other additional eligibility criteria, as specified in the terms of reference, will be considered when selecting recipients. Scholarships, medals and prizes for undergraduate students are administered by SAFA.

UVic also offers non-repayable funding referred to as awards. Recipients are selected on the basis of the eligibility criteria specified in the terms of reference for each award. Eligibility criteria may include, but are not limited to, a minimum academic achievement, financial need, identifying with a group with historical and/or current barriers to equity, program of study or participation in a varsity sport.

In-course scholarships, awards, medals and prizes are offered to undergraduate students who have completed a minimum of 12.0 units for credit, of which 10.5 units are graded using the standard nine point scale, in two of the three terms of study in the previous academic year (May to April). In-course scholarships, awards and prizes are awarded in the subsequent winter session (September to April).

  • Students with a disability, including those who are approved to study at a reduced course load, are eligible to be considered for in-course scholarships, awards, medals and prizes. Students with a disability must maintain registration in a minimum of 6.0 units for credit, of which 4.5 units are graded using the standard nine point scale, in two of the three terms in the previous academic year (May to April). Students must identify themselves to SAFA and provide supporting documentation from the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL).
  • Recipients of in-course scholarships, awards and prizes are selected by the following processes: automatically on the basis of academic merit, application or department recommendation.
  • Medals are automatically awarded to graduating students with the highest graduating average in specific faculties. Recipients are not required to submit an application or return to UVic in the following winter session.
  • Except where the terms of reference for an undergraduate scholarship or award otherwise specify, recipients must normally register and maintain enrolment in a minimum of 12.0 units for credit, of which 10.5 units are graded using the standard nine point scale, in two of the three terms in the academic year in which the funding is being awarded. Students with a disability must maintain enrolment in 6.0 units for credit, of which 4.5 are graded using the standard nine point scale, in two of the three terms in the academic year in which the funding is being awarded.
  • Students who enrol in a minimum of 12.0 units for credit (6.0 units for credit for students with a disability) and subsequently withdraw from courses resulting in them falling below 12.0 units for credit (6.0 units for credit for students with a disability) in two of the three terms in the academic year (May to April), will have their scholarship, award or prize revoked. 
  • The University reserves the right to limit the amount of money awarded to any student and, if necessary, to reassign scholarships and awards to other students. 
  • Except where the terms of reference for the scholarship or award otherwise specify, the funding issued by or through SAFA will be applied towards the student’s assessed tuition and fees for the winter session (September to April). If the funding awarded exceeds the total amount of tuition and fees due for the winter session, the balance will be paid to the student so long as they maintain registration in at least 12.0 units for credit (6.0 units for credit for students with a disability). Students should contact the Tuition Office to request a refund.
  • Medals or book prizes, if not presented directly by the donors or their agents, are forwarded to the winners when available.

Athletic awards

Recipients of athletic awards are selected on the basis of the eligibility criteria specified in the terms of reference for the award and the requirements stipulated by U SPORTS; an organization external to UVic that establishes the funding rules for student athletes in varsity sport at participating universities in Canada.

  • According to USPORTS regulations, student athletes receiving an athletic award in their entering year who have never participated in varsity sport at a post-secondary institution are not required to meet a minimum admission average.
  • Returning student athletes must have passed a minimum of 9.0 units for credit, with a minimum sessional GPA of 3.00, in the preceding September to August terms of study.
  • The total combined value of athletic awards cannot exceed the student’s assessed tuition and mandatory fees for the academic year in which they receive the funding.

How to apply

The majority of in-course awards do not require an application; they are assigned on the basis of merit or a departmental nomination.

Application-required scholarships and awards require students to submit either a paper or online application as well as supporting documentation.

In order to apply for scholarships offered online, students must complete the in-course scholarship application, available through Online tools.

The online application for students currently attending is open April 1-May 31. Any supporting documentation required for the online application must be submitted by email to incourse@uvic.ca by May 31.

How to accept

Successful recipients will be notified via email by Student Awards and Financial Aid.

To accept your scholarship offer:

  1. Have a NetLink ID
  2. Sign into UVic Online tools with your NetLink ID
  3. Select "Awards and financial aid" under "Finances"
  4. Select "View the status of your awards"
  5. Enter the Year and Period of study
  6. Select "Accept" on the scholarship(s) you have been offered

Saying thank you

Does your scholarship have a donor?

If there is an "Award Donor' link beside your scholarship name on your Online tools, please take the time to complete the online Thank you letter form.

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