McGill Canada Award Program
We are committed to ensuring that students from across Canada have access to a world-class McGill education, regardless of financial constraints. The Canada Award program is helping us do just that.
At McGill, diversity is core to our identity as an institution.
In 2023, the Quebec government implemented dramatic tuition increases for Canadian students, placing this diversity at risk. Tuition for non-Quebec Canadian students rose by $3,000 per year, and even higher in some programs.
We responded by creating the Canada Award program, which is protecting access to McGill for out-of-province students – but we need your help to keep the program alive.
Supporting deserving students
In its first year, the Canada Award was automatically granted to incoming Canadian students in 14 academic programs across eight faculties and schools.
For the 2025-26 academic year, we are revamping the program to ensure that funding goes to students who deserve it most. The $3,000 Canada Award will be granted to out-of-province students who receive entrance bursary or scholarship offers, acting as a boost to those who have demonstrated financial need and academic excellence.
Students from low- to modest-income families who need more than $3,000, either upon admission or in later years of study, will have access to McGill’s regular bursary program.
Donor impact
In its first year, gifts from donors fueled the success of the Canada Award program:
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1,250 Canadian undergraduate students from outside Quebec received a Canada Award in fall 2024
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$3.73 million was earmarked for eligible students, and nearly two thirds of this total came from philanthropy
Thanks to donors, McGill also met or surpassed nearly all of its enrolment targets. We were able to sustain our minimum GPA requirements, thereby ensuring that our high standards for admission were not compromised.
“Over the last 200 years, McGill has risen to meet whatever challenges it faces. At the core of our success has been the talent we attract – from across Quebec, Canada and the world.”
Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor
