Scholarships and Awards
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Ryerson is pleased to recognize the academic achievements of the first-year class upon admission to the university with over $4 million designated for entrance scholarship support.
International students (on a study visa) attending and completing studies at a Canadian secondary school, with final averages of 80% and higher, who meet the terms and conditions for scholarship, are guaranteed a renewable entrance scholarship according to the following values.
| Final Admission Average | Awarded in Year One* | Potential Annual Renewable Amount** | Potential Total Scholarship Value** |
| 95%+ | $4,000 | $4,000 | $16,000 |
| 90-94.99% | $2,000 | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| 86-89.99% | $1,000 | $1,000 | $4,000 |
| 80-85.9% | $500 | $500 | $2000 |
*Scholarship amount to be distributed evenly between fall and winter semester.
**Up to, dependent on annual CGPA.
As a Ryerson applicant, AwardSpring, external link, opens in new window enables you to view and apply for all awards available at the university in one convenient spot. Once you have received your Ryerson Student Number, activate your online identity, if you have not done so already, to access AwardSpring, external link, opens in new window.
Applicants are eligible to apply before receiving an offer of admission from Ryerson University.
Thank you for your interest in Ryerson's Prestigious Entrance Scholarships.
You can apply to the following awards as of October 12, 2020.
The deadline to apply is March 1, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. E.S.T.
President's Entrance Scholarships
The President's Entrance Scholarship is awarded to secondary school graduates who demonstrate academic accomplishment, leadership qualities, original thought and creative ability.
Twelve (12) recipients | $40,000 (total value) | $10,000 (annual amount) (renewable)
A minimum 90% final admission average is required for consideration. An applicant's average is calculated with their best six Grade 12 U/M courses, or their home country's equivalent.
This application will ask that you include the following:
- An essay or project summary: this may be a piece of creative writing, or a summary of any creative project which you may have undertaken. It must reflect your capacity for original thought and creative ability (max 750 words).
- Two (2) letters of reference:
- academic reference letter that confirms your scholastic abilities. This reference may also speak to your leadership/creative endeavours.
- reference letter should address your leadership/creative endeavours. It should not verify academic achievement.
- Your leadership activities: you will indicate the leadership activities/positions that you have been involved in during your final two years in secondary school.
Note: Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada, Protected Persons in Canada and International Students are eligible to apply for this award.
International Secondary School Merit Scholarship
The International Secondary School Merit Scholarship is awarded to international students who are entering their first year of full-time, four-year undergraduate degree program at Ryerson University and demonstrate academic excellence, commitment to volunteer work and extracurricular activities, and leadership skills.
Seven (7) recipients | $5,000 (entrance only, non-renewable)
A minimum 85%/A or equivalent final admission average is required for consideration.
This section will ask that you to include the following:
- A Personal Statement
Note: International Students are eligible to apply for this award. Applicants with a gap between their secondary school and post secondary studies are eligible to apply if their gap is no longer than one academic year.
"The scholarship process is very, very simple and it's meant to have a real conversation with you. It's really meant to bring out the real person in you and your desires and purposes in life."
Abhi Raheja, International Student, Journalism
President's Entrance Scholarship Recipient
As a Ryerson student, AwardSpring, external link, opens in new window enables you to view and apply for all awards available at the university in one convenient spot. Below are some of the awards and scholarships available for international students at Ryerson.
| Description | Department | Number of awards per year | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| This award is named in memory of Geoff Boyes, a retired math professor who passed away in 2014. Geoff remembered Ryerson in his will with a legacy gift. Geoff recognized the financial hardships that international students faced while pursuing post-secondary education. | Faculty of Science | 2 | $2,500 |
| Description | Department | Number of awards per year | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| This award is named in memory of Geoff Boyes, a retired math professor who passed away in 2014. Geoff remembered Ryerson in his will with a legacy gift. Geoff recognized the financial hardships that international students faced while pursuing post-secondary education. | Faculty of Science | 2 | $2,000 |
| Description | Department | Number of awards per year | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awarded to students with International Visa student status and authorization at time of registration and during the fall semester, first-class standing and not previously in attendance at an Ontario secondary school or a Canadian post-secondary institution on a full-time basis. | Student Awards and Scholarships/International Enrolment Office | 7 | $5,000 |
| Description | Department | Number of awards per year | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awarded to secondary school graduates who demonstrate academic accomplishment, leadership qualities, original thought and creative ability. | Student Awards and Scholarships | 12 | $10,000 |
| Scholarship Name | Description | Department | Number of awards per year | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salad King On-Campus Student Leader Award | The Salad King International Student Awards were created by Mr. Ernest and Mrs. Linda Liu, owners of the popular Salad King restaurant. Mr. Liu recalls the challenges that he faced as an international student in a new country. The Liu family recognizes that some Ryerson international students overcome similar difficulties and financial burdens in their transition to Ryerson University and life in Canada, and achieve tremendous success. By establishing the annual Salad King International Student Awards, Ernest and Linda Liu demonstrate that Ryerson's neighbours can make a difference in the lives of international students. This award is given to an international student who has demonstrated a strong leadership to improving the quality of student experience at Ryerson University. An on-campus student leader makes an impact as a positive role model and as a great mentor for students. The recipient of this award made a special contribution to an academic or support department of Ryerson University. | International Student Support | 1 per category | $1,000 |
| Salad King Off-Campus Community Builder Award | ||||
| Salad King Personal Development Award | ||||
| Salad King Excellence in Mentoring Award |
| Description | Department | Number of awards per year | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| This scholarship was established in 2001 with support from the Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) to enhance and contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of Ryerson and the greater Toronto communities. Through the facilitation of the Scotiabank International Student Scholarship in International Student Support (ISS), Ryerson University wants to demonstrate support to international students and encourage success in their academic life. Based on the agreement with Scotiabank, this scholarship is for upper-year full-time undergraduate international students with a strong academic achievement. Unfortunately, first year international students are not considered eligible for this scholarship | International Student Support | 12 | $1,500 - $1,800 |
| Description | Department | Number of awards per year | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| This endowed award was created to support international students with financial need who display leadership qualities at Ryerson and/or in their community. | Student Awards and Scholarships | 1 | $1,000 |
If you are an applicant to a program at the university, please note that the Student Awards and Scholarships Office (SASO) only has the ability to assess financial need for current students that are enrolled and attending classes at Ryerson University. If you are conditionally offered an entrance scholarship that requires you to demonstrate financial need, you will be required to complete the general application on AwardSpring, external link, opens in new window in early August, upon becoming a current student. Doing so will give you access to all relevant and open current student awards, and will allow SASO to assess your financial information, to be considered for the demonstration of financial need.
As an applicant to the university, provided below is information on how to apply for an entrance scholarship that requires you to demonstrate financial need:
- Once you have received your Ryerson Student Number, activate your online identity, if you have not done so already, to access AwardSpring, external link, opens in new window.
- Log on to AwardSpring and complete the general application to be matched and considered for entrance scholarships.
- On your AwardSpring dashboard, you will only see entrance scholarships that you are qualified for and you will have the ability to complete follow-ups for those opportunities such as written statements, letters of references and more!
- Upon completing the follow-ups for an entrance scholarship, you can continue to check on AwardSpring for a decision on your application. Please monitor your personal email and Choose Ryerson Portal for updates regarding scholarship decisions.
- If you are the successful recipient of an entrance scholarship that requires the demonstration of financial need, please note the scholarship is conditional upon admission into an eligible program associated with the scholarship and upon completing the general application on AwardSpring in early August, to be assessed for financial need.
- If you become a current student and are assessed as having demonstrated financial need, the entrance scholarship funds will be deposited into your RAMSS account in early September.
If you are assessed as not demonstrating financial need, the Student Awards and Scholarships Office will connect with you on further steps and options for reassessment.
Please note: If your submitted financial information shows an unmet need that demonstrates a significant gap in available resources to cover expenses, indicative of an unrealistic budget or unsound financial planning for post-secondary education, you may be advised to review your application again for accuracy and completeness.
Demonstrating financial need is not about demonstrating the most need possible, it is about planning financially for post-secondary studies and demonstrating a reasonable gap in available resources to cover educational expenses.
Questions? Email us at awards@ryerson.ca, and our team will be more than happy to assist! Please be sure to include your Ryerson Student Number in all email communications. This can be found in your application acknowledgement email or on your Choose>Ryerson Applicant Portal.