Carleton Prestige Scholarships (Canada)

Carleton University’s Prestige Scholarships, led by the Richardson and Chancellor’s awards, fund top incoming undergraduates up to full tuition for four years, sitting above automatic entrance scholarships that start at 80 percent admission averages. Selection weighs leadership and community impact alongside grades, judged from a dedicated application with essays.

The prestige application closes in early December for the following fall (historically December 1; confirm each cycle on the awards page), requiring the admission file to be in first. Ottawa’s government and tech co-op market makes the award compound over a degree.

• High-achieving students entering a first undergraduate degree at Carleton University in Ottawa.
• Admission averages in the high 90s realistically compete for the top named awards.
• International and Canadian applicants are both eligible for the prestige pool, with specific awards varying.
• Demonstrated leadership and community involvement, weighted heavily beside grades.
• A complete admission application by the early-winter scholarship cutoff.
• Renewal requires maintaining a high GPA on a full course load each year.

• Named prestige awards (including the Richardson and Chancellor's scholarships) reaching full tuition for four years.
• Automatic entrance scholarships of CAD 4,000 to 16,000 layered beneath the prestige tier for 80%+ averages.
• Ottawa placement beside Canada's federal government, tech sector and co-op employers.
• Prestige scholars join development programming and mentorship.
• Stackable with faculty and donor awards in later years.
• Carleton's strong co-op programs convert study into paid Canadian experience.

• Undergraduate admission application (via the OUAC 105 route for international applicants).
• High school transcripts with translations where needed.
• English proficiency evidence per admission rules.
• The prestige scholarship application with essays on leadership and impact.
• Reference support where the award requires it.
• Study permit documents after selection.

• Apply for admission early so your file is complete before the scholarship cutoff.
• Submit the Prestige Scholarship application by December 1, 2026 for fall 2027 entry (confirm the exact date on Carleton's awards page each cycle).
• Invest heavily in the leadership essays, which separate the top averages from each other.
• Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed.
• Decisions arrive in late winter with admission offers.
• Maintain the renewal GPA on a full course load to keep the award all four years.