# hi finance at Wilfrid Laurier University

Student aid, awards, and budgeting help for Wilfrid Laurier University students, from a team that knows OSAP, Laurier scholarships, and where the money goes.

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Laurier runs on a smaller campus with big-city costs nearby, so knowing the dates matters. This is what paying for a Laurier degree looks like: what OSAP covers, which awards close before you think, and how to keep your fees paid on time.

## Student aid program

Wilfrid Laurier University uses [OSAP](https://www.ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program).

## The numbers at Wilfrid Laurier University

- **$6,180** — Estimated first-year tuition
  Laurier's tuition for an Ontario student in arts or science for two terms. Incidental fees add roughly $2,100 or more depending on program, and books run about $1,500. Lazaridis Business programs cost more.
  Source: https://www.wlu.ca/future-students/undergraduate/tuition-finances/index.html

- **$2,500–$4,000** — Automatic entrance scholarships
  Awarded with no application based on your admission average: $2,500 at 85% to 89.9%, $3,000 at 90% to 94.9%, and the $4,000 President's Gold Scholarship at 95% or higher, renewable for four years.
  Source: https://www.wlu.ca/future-students/undergraduate/tuition-finances/entrance-scholarships.html

- **$7,211** — Meal plan, first year
  The 5-day all-access plan for residence students runs $3,580.79 per term plus flex dollars. All Waterloo residence students choose a meal plan, and Laurier's plans are tax exempt.
  Source: https://students.wlu.ca/campus-services/dining-on-campus/index.html

## Key deadlines

### Apply to OSAP (60 days ahead)

There's no single opening date. Full-time students should apply no later than 60 days before the end of their study period, because processing time is what makes people late, not eligibility. Laurier recommends applying about two months before your term starts.

[More](https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-apply-osap)

### Fall tuition payment deadline (Sept 10)

Your fall fees are due September 10, with winter fees due January 11. Balances that carry past the due date accrue a late fee of 1.25% per month, so pay in full or confirm your OSAP funding is on the way.

[More](https://students.wlu.ca/finances-and-registration/financial-services/payments/index.html)

### Residence guarantee deadline (June 1)

Laurier guarantees residence to every first-year student who applies and pays the $600 deposit by June 1. Applications open in early April. Miss the date and you're on the waitlist while off-campus rent runs $750 to $1,000 a room in shared apartments.

[More](https://students.wlu.ca/campus-services/residence-and-off-campus-housing/residence/index.html)

### Student profile application closes (Sept 24)

One application covers you for most competitive Laurier bursaries and awards. The window runs July 23 to September 24, and donor bursaries get paid out between October and March.

[More](https://students.wlu.ca/finances/scholarships-and-bursaries/index.html)

### Laurier Tuition Bursary, fall window (Oct 1–22)

Upper-year domestic students apply for the need-based Tuition Bursary between October 1 and 22 for fall, or February 2 to 24 for winter. The amount varies with assessed need.

[More](https://students.wlu.ca/finances/scholarships-and-bursaries/bursaries/index.html)

## FAQs

### Does Wilfrid Laurier University use OSAP?

Yes. OSAP is Ontario's program, and Laurier is an OSAP-approved institution. If Ontario is your province of residence, you apply through OSAP, which considers you for both grants and a loan. You can decline the loan portion after your application is approved.

### Can I get OSAP as an out-of-province student at Laurier?

You apply to your home province's program, not Ontario's. A student from Alberta studying at Laurier applies through Alberta Student Aid. The school you attend doesn't determine which program funds you, your province of residence does.

### Do I have to apply for Laurier entrance scholarships?

Most of them, no. Laurier awards entrance scholarships automatically based on your admission average: $2,500 at 85% or higher, $3,000 at 90% or higher, and the $4,000 President's Gold Scholarship at 95% or higher. The Laurier Scholars Award and named awards like the CIBC STEM Entrance Award need an application.

### What happens if my student aid doesn't cover my tuition?

You're responsible for the shortfall by the September 10 fee deadline. Options include the Laurier Tuition Bursary for upper years, the one-application student profile for competitive bursaries, and the Laurier Work-Study Program, which posts on-campus jobs each fall.

### Do I need to file taxes as a Laurier 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.