hi finance at
Western University
This is what paying for a Western degree looks like: what OSAP covers, which awards close before you think, and where the money goes once it lands.
$24,510–$33,340
Estimated first year cost
Western's 2025–26 estimate for a first-year Ontario student living in residence: $8,000 to $14,200 in tuition and fees plus $16,510 to $19,140 for residence and a meal plan.
Source$26.5M
Awarded in financial assistance every year
Scholarships, awards, and bursaries paid to Western students annually.
Source50+
Awards, scholarships, and bursaries
Searchable through Western's Award Search, plus automatic admission scholarships based on your high school average.
SourceApply to OSAP
Apply by June 30 to have your OSAP funding in hand at the start of your study period. Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks, so applying late is what makes people miss the first fee installment, not eligibility.
Admission scholarship early consideration
Admission scholarships are automatic based on your admission average, but non-Ontario applicants must submit a complete application through OUAC by March 1 to be considered for the top awards.
Admission Bursary Application
One application covers admission bursaries and need-based awards for incoming first-year students. Funds are deducted from your first fee installment in August.
Fall/Winter bursary application
The Financial Assistance Profile in Student Center is how you apply for bursaries, work study, and need-based awards. Miss the October 31 window and you get a second chance from January to February 28.
Fee payment installments
The standard plan splits your fees into two installments on August 3 and December 1. Prefer six smaller payments? Submit a Flexible Payment Plan request by August 17 for a $120 fee.
Or don't keep track of any of it
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Cheapest food on campus at Western (under $10)
Eat on campus at Western for under $10 most days. The UCC Food Hub, campus cafes, and free programs like the USC Food Bank.
Western tuition: two installments, first due Aug 3
Western splits your tuition into two installments, the first due August 3, 2026. What to do in your first week and the deadlines that cost you.
Western residence costs: what you'll actually pay
Western's cheapest residence is a $10,260 shared double, but the meal plan is mandatory in first-year buildings. Full residence fees and off-campus costs.
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Does Western University use OSAP?
Yes. OSAP is Ontario's program, and Western's Financial Aid Office administers it for students attending the university. It's open to Ontario residents who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons.
Can I get OSAP as an out-of-province student at Western?
You apply to your home province's program, not OSAP. A student from Alberta studying at Western applies through Alberta Student Aid. Your province of residence determines which program funds you, not the school you attend.
Do I have to apply separately for Western scholarships?
Admission scholarships are automatic based on your high school average, so you don't apply for those. Bursaries and need-based awards are different: you apply through the Financial Assistance Profile in Student Center, and the admission bursary application covers incoming first-year students.
What happens if my student aid doesn't cover my tuition?
You're responsible for the shortfall. You may need to pay some fees in August if your first OSAP installment doesn't cover everything. Options include Western's bursaries, the work study program, and a flexible payment plan, in roughly that order since bursary money doesn't have to be paid back.
Do I need to file taxes as a Western student with no income?
You should. Filing is how you claim your T2202 tuition credit and carry it forward, and it's what registers you for benefits like the GST/HST credit. Skipping it leaves money unclaimed.
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