External awards
External awards are available from many sources, and have a variety of criteria and deadlines.
What is an external award?
External awards are scholarships, bursaries or awards given by organizations outside the University of Calgary (like companies or community groups).
If an organization gives a student a set amount of money, it counts as an external award—not as a third-party sponsorship.
UCalgary doesn’t handle these payments. The university won’t send invoices or tax slips (T4As) for them. Instead, organizations should send the money directly to the student. This allows students to use the money for all their school expenses, not just tuition, without delays.
Veterans Education and Training Benefit
The Government of Canada’s Veterans Education and Training Benefit helps Canadian veterans achieve their education and career goals. If you’re a Canadian veteran, you may be eligible to receive up to more than $80,000 in funding toward a UCalgary degree.
To be eligible for the Veterans Education and Training Benefit:
- You must have been honourably released from the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular Forces or Reserves) on or after April 1, 2006.
- You must have served for a minimum of six years.
The value of the benefit will vary depending on your length of service: $40,000+ for at least six years of service and up to more than $80,000 for at least 12 years of service.
Choose a degree, review your admission requirements, and apply to UCalgary by March 1. Your admission requirements will vary.
When you receive an admission offer from UCalgary, submit a Veterans Education and Training Benefit application to Veteran Affairs Canada.
Follow the third-party sponsorship process to receive your funding.
Questions?
Please visit the Veteran Affairs Canada website for eligibility requirements and program details.
Payment options for external awards
The organization giving you the award can either send the money directly to you, or send it to the university on your behalf. If the university receives the money, it will use it to pay off any tuition or fees you owe.
UCalgary can accept external award payments through Flywire, CIBC Student Pay, Convera Global Pay for Students, or by cheque.
Cheques or money orders must be made payable to The University of Calgary. Send them to this mailing address:
Accounts Receivables
MacKimmie Tower, 9th Floor
2500 University Dr. N.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4
If you’re paying by cheque, send it as early as possible; at least 30 days before the term starts is ideal. If the cheque is sent later than that, it might not be processed in time. This could lead to late fees or account holds.
Cheque payments can take up to four weeks to process. Make sure to include documents that show which student and award the payment is for, or there could be delays.
Students are responsible for any late fees or holds caused by slow processing of external award payments.
Where can I look for other external scholarships and awards?
Check out these external resources to find one that fits you.
- Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool
- Alberta Student Aid Scholarships
- The Calgary Foundation
- Universities Canada
- Loran Scholars Foundation
- Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE)
- Government of Canada Scholarships
- Indspire Institute
- Mensa Canada Scholarship Programme
- Scholarships Canada.com
- Student Scholarships.org
- yconic
- Atila
Some additional places to look for funding
Many clubs, associations and organizations provide educational funding to their members and dependents. Check with any groups you or your family members belong to, including:
- Community organizations (i.e., 4-H, Girl Guides, Scouts, YMCA, Rotary)
- Faith or religious groups and churches
- Cultural clubs and associations
- Non-profit organizations and foundations
- Employers
- Athletic organizations