Paying for your Studies

We're delighted that you've applied to Seneca.

Each year, Seneca offers millions of dollars in scholarships, bursaries and other awards to assist our students. Whether you have an offer of admission from Seneca or are waiting to hear from us*, it is a good idea to apply now for these awards so you have the most up-to-date financial information when you confirm your program of study. You may be eligible for up to $2,000 in non-repayable aid based on financial need.

Students starting classes in the Fall 2019 term can apply as current students for our awards and bursaries starting September 1, 2019. The deadline to apply for these awards and bursaries is October 31, 2019.

If you have already applied for entrance awards we encourage you to apply again after September 1, 2019 for the in-course awards.

For a list of scholarships and awards open to current students and details on financial aid please visit the Available Scholarship page.

For students applying to other terms, the financial aid application process will open November 15, 2018. Application deadlines for awards vary so please take a look below for details.

* Please note that if you have not yet received an offer of admission from Seneca, applying for Seneca awards does not guarantee that you will receive one.

You will need to activate your Seneca online account. Look for an email with a temporary password and details on how to activate your account. If you applied to, or attended Seneca in the past, you can continue to use your existing MySeneca account. For assistance with account set up, please contact our Service Desk at 416. 491.5050 ext. 22129.

When logged in to your online Student Centre, use the ‘Apply for Financial Aid' link in the Finance section of your homepage. Then follow these steps:

1. Select Academic Year: 2019
2. Fill out all required information
3. Select terms of study (FALL and/or WINTER and/or SUMMER) complete the budget.
4. Click Submit – Please note once you click submit you cannot make changes. Please ensure you have your budget information before you start this section.
5. Select awards from the list of Eligible Awards.
6. A number of questions may appear, these are linked to the awards you have selected. If the question is not applicable to you please type N/A or unselect the award. There is a 500 character limit (not word limit) on the questions. You can copy the questions and come back to the application when you are ready, as long as it is before the application deadline. If you wish you can write the answers in a word document then copy and paste them onto the application. This will help ensure you have the right number of characters and will enable you to check your grammar and spelling.
7. Click Submit when you have answered all the questions. Please note once you click submit you cannot make any changes.
8. Please follow the instructions to submit any additional documents required.

Track the status of your application under the ‘View My Student Awards' (link is found below Apply for Financial Aid)

You can track the status of your awards application at the View My Student Awards link.

A one-time scholarship of $2,500 to qualified postsecondary diploma graduates who are pursuing a Seneca degree and have not received a renewable entrance scholarship. 

• 75% or 3.3 GPA +

10th day of classes

Students enrolled in our Nursing (Collaborative BScN Degree program with York University/Seneca) can qualify for a renewable scholarship based on their Grade 12 grades or grades from another postsecondary program.

Total 2 year scholarship based on maintenance of grades:

• 70% or 3.0 GPA+ - $1,500 ($750 per year)
• 75% or 3.3 GPA+ - $2,000 ($1,000 per year)
• 80% or 3.6 GPA+ - $3,000 ($1,500 per year)

Students enrolled in any of our Degree programs can qualify for a renewable scholarship based on their Grade 12 grades or grades from another postsecondary program.

Total 4 year scholarship based on maintenance of grades:

• 70% or 3.0 GPA+ - $2,000 ($500 per year)
• 75% or 3.3 GPA+ - $3,000 ($750 per year)
• 80% or 3.6 GPA+ - $4,000 ($1,000 per year)

The renewable scholarship is based on grades in continuing years of the student's program of study and the student maintaining full-time status.

For the following awards there are a limited number of awards and selection is made by the Seneca Awards committee based on award criteria, not everyone who applies will receive an award.

June 30

• A Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident of Canada (landed immigrant), or a Protected Person
• Be in good academic standing, as defined by Seneca College (80% average or equivalent)
• Be enrolled full-time for the academic year of study at Seneca
• Have a financial need of at least $3,500
• Award is renewable if all the criteria are met

August 31, 2019 for students starting a in a full-time program at Seneca in the Fall 2019 or Summer 2019 terms

Awarded to a full-time English Language Institute (ELI) student in good academic standing who shows leadership, embraces diversity and demonstrates active engagement on campus and in the wider community. The recipient is an international student that has completed level 8 and entering a full-time program at Seneca. The recipient will be recommended by an ELI Committee and faculty. This award is established in memory of Ji Hun Kim, a Korean ELI student who was a model student and actively engaged in her studies and the community beyond the classroom. She is remembered as a force of positivity and intellectual curiosity.

June 30

The recipients will have overcome challenges to be previously enrolled in Seneca's Academic Upgrading program (AUC) and will enrol in a full-time certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or degree program at Seneca. The recipients will have demonstrated financial need.

June 30

Awarded to first year full-time students enrolled in any program. Selection is based on high academic achievement. Additional consideration will be given to students who have demonstrated commitment to volunteerism and community service.

Eligible students must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, Ontario residents and have demonstrated financial need.

June 30

Awarded to students entering Seneca College directly from high school based on high academic standing in their final year. Emphasis is placed on the academic subjects English, Mathematics and Sciences at the Grade 12 level.

Eligible students must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, Ontario residents and have demonstrated financial need.

 June 30

Awarded as an entrance scholarship for a student in the Business Administration - Human Resources program who has demonstrated financial need. Eligible students must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, and Ontario residents.

June 30

Available to full-time international students who are entering into a diploma or graduate certificate program. There are a limited number of awards and selection is made by the Seneca Awards committee based on academic standing coming into the program. The renewable portion is based on yearly GPA and you must maintain full-time status to be eligible. If your GPA drops below 3.0 you will no longer be eligible for the award.

• 3.0 GPA+ - $500 per year
• 3.3 GPA+ - $750 per year
• 3.6 GPA+ - $1,000 per year

This award is not available this year

Awarded to a student entering the Fashion Arts program on a full-time basis who is coming directly from a Canadian high school. The recipient should have strong academic standing and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship is renewable annually, provided the recipient maintains a minimum GPA of 3.0, continues to demonstrate financial need and is enrolled full-time. This scholarship was established by The Honourable Dr. Vivienne Poy, a distinguished Seneca alumna.