The Western University International President’s Entrance Scholarships offer three international students CAD $100,000 each toward undergraduate study at Western University in Canada. These awards form part of the university’s National Scholarship Program, which recognises academic excellence, creative thinking, extracurricular achievement and community service.
However, strong grades alone will not secure an award. You must also obtain a school nomination and complete the scholarship application with the required supporting documents.
Western expects to open applications for the 2027–2028 academic year by mid-November 2026. The university has not yet confirmed the final deadline or published the complete instructions for this cycle. You can use the information in this guide to prepare, but check Western’s official scholarship page for updated requirements before submitting your application.
Western University International President’s Entrance Scholarships 2027: Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Western University |
| Country | Canada |
| Scholarship | International President’s Entrance Scholarships |
| Number of awards | 3 |
| Award value | CAD $100,000 per recipient |
| Payment schedule | CAD $25,000 per academic year for four years, according to Western’s scholarship brochure |
| Study level | First-entry undergraduate study |
| Eligible applicants | International students who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents |
| Minimum academic average | 90% on Grade 12 U/M courses or equivalent |
| Study location | Western University’s main campus |
| School nomination | Required |
| Application route | National Scholarship Program |
| 2027–2028 deadline | Not yet confirmed |
Western’s published scholarship information supports the award value and payment schedule above. Nevertheless, review the new application materials when they become available to confirm the terms for the 2027–2028 cycle.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Western lists three International President’s Entrance Scholarships worth CAD $100,000 each. Its National Scholarship Program brochure specifies an annual payment of CAD $25,000 over four years.
This substantial award can help reduce the cost of an undergraduate education in Canada. However, the CAD $100,000 value does not automatically mean the scholarship covers every educational and living expense.
Your total costs will depend on your programme, tuition fees, accommodation, travel, health insurance and other living expenses. Before accepting an award, compare Western’s published cost estimates with the confirmed scholarship terms so you can identify any funding gap.
You should also consider the limited number of awards. Western lists only three International President’s Entrance Scholarships, so meeting the minimum academic requirement does not guarantee selection.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Western’s published National Scholarship Program requirements identify several conditions for students seeking the International President’s Entrance Scholarships. Check each one before investing time in the application.
1. You must qualify as an international student
The scholarship targets students who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents of Canada.
If you currently study in Canada, you may still qualify, provided you meet this citizenship and residency requirement and satisfy the other eligibility conditions.
2. You need at least a 90% academic average
Western requires a minimum overall average of 90% across Grade 12 U/M courses or an equivalent qualification.
Treat this figure as the minimum eligibility threshold, not a promise of selection. Western also considers other aspects of an applicant’s achievements and application.
If you completed secondary school outside Canada, check how Western evaluates your qualification. Do not assume that your country’s grading scale converts directly to the Canadian Grade 12 average.
3. You must apply for full-time undergraduate study at Western’s main campus
You must apply for admission to Western University’s main campus and plan to enrol as a full-time undergraduate student.
This requirement distinguishes the award from general financial assistance for international students. You should therefore confirm that your intended programme and study plans meet Western’s conditions before applying.
4. Your school must nominate you
A school nomination is essential. You cannot secure consideration simply by completing the online scholarship application.
Western’s published rules allow each school to nominate up to four students for the National Scholarship Program, plus one additional student if that student is an international applicant. The school nominates students for the programme as a whole, not for a particular named scholarship.
This distinction matters: a nomination allows you to compete for consideration, but it does not guarantee one of the three International President’s Entrance Scholarships.
Why the School Nomination Matters
The nomination requirement makes this scholarship different from opportunities that allow any eligible student to apply independently. You must coordinate with your school as well as Western University.
Your school may have its own selection procedure, internal deadline or approval process. If you wait until Western’s final deadline approaches, you could run out of time to complete the nomination and gather the supporting documents.
To avoid that problem, contact your school’s guidance counsellor, principal, student-services office or university-application coordinator. Explain that you want to be considered for Western’s National Scholarship Program for the 2027–2028 academic year.
Ask these three questions:
- Does the school have an internal nomination deadline or selection procedure?
- Who can submit the nomination and arrange the required transcript?
- Which teaching or school staff member could provide the scholarship reference?
These answers will help you identify the people responsible for each part of your application.
If you attend a school outside Canada, contact the appropriate administrator early. Western’s published guidance allows international applicants to compete, but they must still satisfy the nomination requirement.
How to Apply for the Western University Scholarship
Western expects to make the 2027–2028 National Scholarship Program application available by mid-November 2026. Until the university releases the new instructions, use the steps below as a preparation guide rather than a substitute for the current application requirements.
Step 1: Apply for admission to Western University
Submit your undergraduate admission application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), selecting Western University’s main campus as one of your choices.
Keep your OUAC reference number and other application details available. Western’s previous international scholarship guide required applicants to provide their OUAC reference number and date of birth to access the scholarship application. Confirm whether the university will retain this procedure for 2027–2028.
Step 2: Arrange your school nomination
Contact your school early to understand its nomination procedure. Find out whether it requires internal documents, how it selects nominees and how long the process takes.
Western’s published process allows students to request a nomination through the scholarship application. However, your school may also require you to complete its own internal steps before it agrees to nominate you.
Step 3: Complete the National Scholarship Program application
Once Western opens the 2027–2028 application, visit its official scholarship page and follow the instructions for international students.
Read the current requirements carefully. Do not reuse an old application form or assume that every previous-cycle instruction remains unchanged.
Step 4: Prepare the supporting documents
Western’s previous-cycle checklist included an online application, school nomination, academic transcript, reference letter and essay.
| Requirement | What you should do |
|---|---|
| Online application | Complete the National Scholarship Program application |
| School nomination | Follow Western’s process and your school’s internal procedure |
| Academic transcript | Coordinate with your school to arrange submission |
| Reference letter | Identify an appropriate teaching or school staff member |
| Essay | Follow the prompt and word limit in the current application instructions |
Pay particular attention to the transcript. Western’s previous international application guide stated that the school must submit the transcript for the National Scholarship Program. It also distinguished this scholarship transcript from the transcript used for the admission application.
The previous guide also required a reference from a teaching or staff member who knew the applicant’s academic or extracurricular work. Confirm the accepted referee and submission procedure in the 2027–2028 instructions before finalising your arrangements.
Step 5: Follow the current essay instructions
Western’s 2026–2027 international application guide required an original essay of 1,000–1,250 words about an issue important to the applicant and of public concern.
However, Western has not yet confirmed that requirement for 2027–2028. Wait for the new instructions before finalising your topic or deciding on the essay’s length.
Step 6: Confirm that Western receives every required item
Submitting the online form does not necessarily complete the entire process. Your school may still need to send the transcript or nomination, while your referee may need to submit a separate letter.
Use the official 2027–2028 checklist to track each requirement. Follow up with the relevant people and confirm that Western receives every required item before the published deadline.
What Does Western Look for in Scholarship Applicants?
Western describes its National Scholarship Program as recognising all-round excellence. Its published selection criteria include more than academic performance alone.
- Academic achievement: Strong performance in secondary-school studies.
- Creative and innovative thought: Evidence of independent thinking and thoughtful approaches to ideas or problems.
- Passion for learning: A genuine commitment to learning and intellectual development.
- Extracurricular achievement: Meaningful participation in activities such as the arts, athletics and other pursuits.
- Community service: Contributions to school or community life.
These criteria show why applicants should look beyond their grades when preparing their applications. Where the application requests examples, explain your actual achievements, interests and contributions clearly and accurately.
Nevertheless, do not assume that Western uses a particular scoring rubric or that one activity guarantees an advantage. The university has not yet published the complete 2027–2028 application instructions, so applicants should use the new materials to confirm the essay prompt, supporting documents and selection process.
Explore our guide to the Duke Karsh International Scholarship 2027: Eligibility, Funding & How to Apply
Application Deadline for 2027–2028
Western’s Registrar page states that applications for the 2027–2028 National Scholarship Program will become available by mid-November 2026. However, the university has not yet confirmed the final deadline for this cycle.
The published international application guide still describes the 2026–2027 cycle, whose February 14, 2026 deadline has passed. Do not use that date as the deadline for the next intake.
| Application detail | Current status |
|---|---|
| Application availability | Expected by mid-November 2026 |
| 2027–2028 final deadline | Not yet confirmed |
| School nomination deadline | Confirm with your school and the new instructions |
| Supporting-document deadline | Confirm in the 2027–2028 application materials |
Once Western releases the new application, check its official scholarship page for the final deadline and any updated submission rules. Also confirm your school’s internal nomination deadline, which may fall earlier than the university’s deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students studying in Canada apply?
Yes. Western’s published guidance states that international students studying in Canada or abroad may qualify, provided they are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents and meet the other eligibility requirements.
Is a 90% average enough to win the scholarship?
No. The 90% average is the published minimum academic requirement. You must also obtain a school nomination and complete the scholarship application. Western’s stated criteria include academic achievement, creative thinking, passion for learning, extracurricular achievement and community service.
Can I apply without a school nomination?
No. Western requires a school nomination for consideration through the National Scholarship Program. Contact your school early to learn how it selects nominees and what you must do to secure its support.
Does the scholarship guarantee full funding for four years?
No. Western lists each award at CAD $100,000, with its brochure specifying CAD $25,000 per academic year for four years. That amount does not establish that the award will cover every tuition and living expense. Review the confirmed terms and estimate your total costs before making a financial decision.
When will applications open for the 2027–2028 academic year?
Western expects to make the application available by mid-November 2026. The final deadline for the new cycle has not yet been confirmed on the published page.
Final Thoughts
The Western University International President’s Entrance Scholarships offer a valuable opportunity for international students with strong academic records who want to pursue undergraduate study in Canada. Each award is worth CAD $100,000, but the university lists only three, and applicants must meet the eligibility requirements and secure a school nomination.
Start with your school. Ask about its nomination process and internal deadline while preparing your admission application. Then monitor Western’s official scholarship page for the 2027–2028 application, final deadline and updated supporting-document requirements.
Early coordination will help you prepare, but the current application instructions must determine your final submission. Do not assume that last year’s requirements or deadlines will remain unchanged.
Official Sources
- Western University — National Scholarship Program: Current programme information, award values, eligibility, nomination rules and expected application availability for 2027–2028.
- Western University — International National Scholarship Application Guide: Previous-cycle guidance on nomination requests, transcripts, references, essays and application access. Check the new application materials when they become available.


