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Scholarships FAQs

Scholarships FAQs


Scholarships Assessment: Grades and Other Factors

Keeping your scholarship

Money: How and When

Scholarship Record Keeping

Scholarships Assessment: Grades and Other Factors


When will my grades be assessed for scholarships?

The academic year consists of three sessions: Fall, Winter and Summer. Holders of renewable scholarships are assessed at the end of the Winter session. Co-op students are assessed at the end of the Summer session. The University assesses all students for In Course scholarships at the end of the Summer session.
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What is a Scholarship Grade Point Average (SGPA) and is it different from the GPA?

Yes. The academic GPA's provide you with an assessment at the end of principal academic sessions and cumulatively. These figures are recorded on your transcript. The SGPA, however, is an assessment of your work (minimum of 30 credit hours) completed over two terms. The SGPA is not recorded on the academic transcript.
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If my final grades are higher than when I applied for admission, will my scholarship offer increase?

Entrance scholarship offers are made in mid-April based on your admission average. If your final high school grades are higher, you can request a review of your final transcript for a possible increase in your Dalhousie Entrance Scholarship; renewable scholarships are not offered or increased upon final grades.
Scholarships can be cancelled if a student no longer meets admission requirements upon final grades.
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If I should fail to re-qualify for my renewable scholarship, does that mean I cannot be considered for any scholarships?

No, you are still eligible to re-earn your renewable scholarship in the following years if you achieve a 3.70 Scholarship Grade Point Average (SGPA).
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Do I have to apply for future scholarships? 

Students' are automatically assessed for University In-Course scholarships. These scholarships are awarded in September of each year, based upon the previous year's academic work.

Most academic departments award scholarships to students after the completion of university courses. In some cases, applications are required. Please refer to departmental listings in the Awards section of the Academic Calendar.
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What average do I need in order to maintain a renewable scholarship?

A minimum Scholarship Grade Point Average (SGPA) of 3.70 is required to maintain a Dalhousie University renewable scholarship. This must be achieved by completing a minimum of 30 credit hours over two terms within the previous regular session (Sept. - April).
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What average do I need to be awarded a one-year In-Course scholarship?

To be eligible, students must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours over two terms within the previous regular session (Sept. - April) and achieved a minimum SGPA of 3.70.

Co-op students, who complete one work term during the year, must also complete 30 credit hours over two terms (fall, winter or summer) to be eligible; students who complete two work terms within the academic year must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours during their one academic term and achieve a minimum term GPA of 3.70. In those cases where students have taken more than the required credit hours, assessment is based on all courses taken within the two terms.

SGPA cutoffs and scholarship amounts vary from year to year. Possession of minimum requirements does not guarantee an award. Among the factors affecting the SGPA cutoff in any given year are the overall scholarship budget and the overall performance of Dalhousie students.
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How do letter of permission courses effect scholarships?

Students completing more than one course per term on letter of permission at a Canadian or non-Canadian institution will be ineligible for in-course scholarships or renewal.
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Keeping your scholarship

In which programs must I register?

It is essential that you register in an eligible undergraduate degree/diploma program as offered in the Faculties of Architecture & Planning, Arts & Social Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Health Professions, Management or Science, or in the School of Dental Hygiene.
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Where must I be registered? 

In order to receive your scholarship funds, you must be registered as a full-time student (minimum 9 credit hours per term) at Dalhousie University for the year in which the scholarship is awarded. The University of King's College has their own scholarship program. Students registered at the University of King's College are not eligible for Dalhousie entrance scholarships.
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What if I decide to change my program? 

Scholarships can be used in all undergraduate programs. However, if you have a department specific award you must remain in that department to keep your award. In addition, students offered entrance renewable scholarships may have their scholarship reassessed if they change programs. If you are unsure that your scholarship is transferable to another program, please contact the Awards Office.
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What average do I need in order to maintain a renewable scholarship?

A minimum Scholarship Grade Point Average (SGPA) of 3.70 is required to maintain a Dalhousie University renewable scholarship. This must be achieved by completing a minimum of 30 credit hours over two terms within the previous regular session (Sept. - April).

Co-op students, who complete one work term within the academic year, must also complete 30 credit hours over two terms (fall, winter or summer) to be eligible for renewal; students who complete two work terms within the academic year must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours during their one academic term and achieve a minimum term GPA of 3.70. In those cases where students have taken more than the minimum required credit hours, assessment is based on all courses taken within the two terms.
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How do letter of permission courses affect scholarships?

Students completing more than one course per term on letter of permission at a Canadian or non-Canadian institution will be ineligible for in-course scholarships or renewal.
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What is a Scholarship Grade Point Average and is it different from the GPA?

Yes. The academic GPA's provide you with an assessment at the end of principal academic sessions and cumulatively. These figures are recorded on your transcript. The SGPA, however, is an assessment of your work (minimum of 30 credit hours) completed over two terms. The SGPA is not recorded on the academic transcript.
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What happens if I go on an Exchange? 

Students who receive an in-course scholarship or are on a renewable scholarship and go on a Dalhousie approved exchange program, will have their scholarship renewed for a further one term (September following return), provided grades of Pass are recorded for the non-Canadian work; the second half of the scholarship will be paid upon the student achieving a 3.70 term GPA. Students who return after one term of study at a non-Canadian institution will be considered for in-course scholarships or renewal (see above) based on the GPA earned on the one term at Dalhousie.
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May I take fewer classes and still keep my scholarship?
  • For in-course scholarships: Yes.
    But remember, consideration for future in-course scholarships will only occur if you fulfill the credit hour requirements; 30 credit hours over two terms within the academic year between Sept. - April.
  • For renewable scholarships: No. Unless otherwise indicated in your original scholarship offer, you must complete the requisite credit hours; 30 credit hours over two terms within the academic year.
  • Is there an implication for my scholarship if I graduate earlier than planned?
    Sorry! If you hold a renewable scholarship and choose to graduate earlier than originally planned, and then you decide to return for an honours certificate or advanced major certificate, you will have forfeited your renewable scholarship. In other words, graduation constitutes completion of a program.
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What if I change my mind and return to do an honours certificate?

If you graduate and then return the next year to complete an honours certificate, you cannot be assessed for in-course scholarships.
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What if I had to withdraw for some reason? 

Depending upon the time of the withdrawal, students may be entitled to a prorated portion of the scholarship. The amount will be credited toward academic fees provided the student is not enrolled in a 'limited enrolment program'. If one is enrolled in a program having 'limited enrolment' (i.e., Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Science (Health Education), Bachelor of Science (Kinesiology), or Bachelor of Science (Recreation), no portion of the entrance scholarship may be claimed.

Regrettably, no portion of the scholarship may be applied to residence fees if one is withdrawing from Dalhousie. Before you make such a decision, please consult University officials. Formal withdrawal will ensure that your academic record is properly updated and any residual expenses kept to a minimum!
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Money: How and When

When are scholarships available?

Scholarships are to be used against tuition for the coming Fall and/or Winter terms. Students need to be registered as full-time to receive scholarship funds. If your scholarship is renewable, it may be held for four years, or until your program is completed, whichever occurs first. Scholarships cannot normally be deferred.
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How do I receive the money from my scholarship?

Scholarship funds are credited to your tuition account first, and to your residence account second. Scholarships of $3,000 or greater will be paid 50% in the first term (October) and 50% in the second term (January). If you withdraw between these payment installments, you may lose a portion of the first installment and/or the entire second installment. If there is money leftover from your scholarship after your fees are paid, you can be refunded that amount by Student Accounts. Refunds occur at Student Accounts mid-October. If you know that a rebate will be coming but you have a more urgent need (example - book purchases) then consider applying for a Temporary Loan from the Registrar's Office. Please ensure that we have your Social Insurance Number. Federal Government regulations require that scholarship payments cannot be made to students without a Social Insurance Number.
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Do I have to pay taxes on my scholarship?

Normally, a student's exemptions are sufficiently high so that you do not pay taxes. Student Accounts will issue a T4A form to you in late February and this document will cover all monetary awards which were awarded during the previous tax year. This is a condition of accepting the scholarship.
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Scholarship Record Keeping

Who will be notified of my scholarship? 

We will provide Nova Scotia high schools with a list of entrance scholarship offers for their students. However, all students are responsible for advising their school as to the scholarship offer they accept as this information is often included in the graduation program. For all scholarships, name, hometown and program of study will be given to the donor(s) of your scholarship to encourage continued support of the Dalhousie scholarship program. For all scholars, we are required to report your scholarship to the appropriate provincial student aid authority and to the federal government for income tax purposes.
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Should I keep any records about scholarships? 

You should retain copies of letters of an award so that you will be able to submit them to student aid authorities or to the federal government in the event that you should be audited or be asked to provide confirmation.
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Is my scholarship recorded on my transcript? 

Shortly following the awarding of a scholarship, a generic scholarship name (but no amount) will appear on your record in Dal Online. In the fall, you will be notified if the name of your scholarship has changed to reflect the funding source and recognize the donors. The year of record will reflect the end of the academic year in which the award is tenable. For example, an award for the 2009-20010 academic year will be recorded as 2010.
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Phone: (902) 494-2450