Dalhousie University, one of Canada's oldest and most respected universities located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, offers over 2,000 entrance awards every year to support and recognize outstanding incoming undergraduate students. With more than $38 million awarded annually in undergraduate financial support, Dalhousie's entrance award programme is one of the most generous in Atlantic Canada — offering awards ranging from $1,000 for a single year to $80,000 over four years of study.
Whether you are a high school graduate, a mature student, or an international applicant, Dalhousie's General Entrance Award application allows you to be considered for hundreds of scholarships, bursaries, and hybrid awards with a single submission. The programme evaluates the whole student — not just grades — taking into account leadership, community service, extracurricular involvement, financial need, and cultural identity.
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About this opportunity
The Future Undergraduate Student Awards programme at Dalhousie is designed to ensure that talented students from all backgrounds can access a world-class education. Every year, the university offers millions of dollars in scholarships and bursaries to new students entering in the Fall term.
Key features of the programme:
2,000+ entrance awards available annually
$1,000 to $80,000 approximate range of award values yearly and over four years
One application, hundreds of awards — The General Entrance Award application considers you for the majority of entrance awards and bursaries automatically
Holistic selection — Awards are based on a combination of academic achievement, leadership and initiative, extracurricular involvement, community service, financial need, and cultural identity
Open to all students — Both domestic and international students are eligible to apply
One-time or renewable — Awards may be for a single year or renewable for up to 4 years
Related: Learn more about studying in Canada and Halifax as a student city.
Financial Benefits
Dalhousie offers three main types of entrance awards through the General Entrance Award application:
Scholarships
Based primarily on academic achievement
Typically require an 80% admission average or 26 predicted/anticipated IB Diploma points
Averages are calculated using the five courses required for your chosen programme
Can be one-time or renewable
Bursaries
Based on financial need
Available even if you do not meet the academic average for scholarships
Many students who are not eligible for financial aid can still receive merit-based or involvement-based awards
Hybrid Awards
Based on a combination of merit, leadership, and financial need
Recognize well-rounded students who excel both inside and outside the classroom
Value range: From approximately $1,000 for first year to $80,000 over four years for the most prestigious renewable awards.
Documents Required
To complete your General Entrance Award application, you must submit:
Completed General Entrance Award application — Submitted through your Dalhousie application portal
Official first-semester transcript — Or your provincial student ID number (for Nova Scotia and Ontario applicants)
Note: Some specific awards require a separate application in addition to the General Entrance Award application. These can be completed after you apply to Dalhousie. Check the official awards page for details on awards requiring separate applications.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to apply for Dalhousie's General Entrance Award programme if you:
Are applying directly from high school, or are a mature student with no transferable post-secondary study
Are applying to start in the Fall term (Winter and Summer term entrants should explore current undergraduate student awards and bursaries instead)
Meet the academic requirements — typically an 80% average or 26 predicted/anticipated IB points
Have not completed transferable post-secondary study (with exceptions noted below)
How to Apply
Your application process depends on whether you have already been accepted to Dalhousie:
If You Have Been Accepted to a Dalhousie Programme
Log in to your application portal
Complete the General Entrance Award application
Submit your official first-semester transcript or your provincial student ID number (for NS and ON applicants)
Submit before the deadline