Boozhoo, shé:kon, waachjiiye, tansi, aanii, tungasugiit, tawnshi, greetings!
At Waterloo, you’ll find resources and opportunities, from weekly meetups and scholarships to an on-campus living community for Indigenous students.
Scholarships and bursaries
Entrance scholarships, awarded to new Waterloo students, are based primarily on academic and personal achievement while bursaries are based on financial need.
- Entrance scholarships and bursaries for Indigenous students →
- Entrance scholarships available to all students →
- Earn money and experience through Waterloo's co-op program →
Tuition waivers for First Nations communities
Waterloo is committed to addressing the goals of truth and reconciliation and removing or reducing the financial barriers of attending university.
- We waive the application fee for all Indigenous applicants.
- We also waive tuition fees for Waterloo students who are members of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation or Six Nations of the Grand River (on whose traditional territory the University of Waterloo is situated).
- First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students from Canadian provinces and territories outside Ontario can pay the lower tuition rate for Ontario students. Native American students from the continental U.S. recognized by the Jay Treaty are also eligible for Ontario tuition rates instead of international student tuition.
More about the tuition waiver →
Life at Waterloo
Feel at home
Be part of our close-knit on-campus residence community that supports Indigenous first-year students.
Celebrate
The Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre (WISC) hosts an annual Pow Wow and weekly Soup and Bannock Days.
Reflect
The Ceremonial Fire Grounds and Medicine Garden offer a sacred space for individual use, ceremonies, education, and other gatherings.
Supporting your success
In addition to the resources for all Waterloo students, Indigenous students have access to a range of services. From weekly soup and bannock lunches to an Indigenous counsellor and support for students interested in entrepreneurship, there are staff and resources dedicated to supporting your time at Waterloo.
Finding community as an Indigenous student at Waterloo
Adjusting to university life can be difficult but with the right support, your transition into Waterloo life can become easier. Brae, an Honours Chemistry student can attest to that.
Devon, an Environment, Resources and Sustainability, adds that "the Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre created a space for me to be comfortable in."
Read about Devon's and Brae's experiences and how they've been able to feel connected to the campus.
Enhance your learning
Many of Waterloo's programs allow you to include a specialization or a minor, which consists of 8 to 10 courses. These minors are available to all Waterloo students. The minors and language courses listed here are taught at United College, which is part of the University of Waterloo and located on our main campus.
Ready to learn more?
Request a brochure
Request the Indigenous brochure and Waterloo viewbook to learn more about Indigenous student experience.
Join us for a tour or event
Explore what the Waterloo campus has to offer!
Connect with us
No matter your question, our Indigenous Recruitment and Partnerships Specialist, Alex DeGagne, is here to support you.
Student-written articles
Discover more about Indigenous support and initiatives in these student-written articles.