Scholarships and Awards

Current Undergraduate Students

The following awards can be applied to through the Office of Student Awards and Financial Aid. We encourage all eligible students to apply.

Dr. Eugene and Margaret McNamara Scholarship

One scholarship will be awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student in year 3 or 4 in the Department of English, Creative Writing Program with a minimum cumulative average A- and demonstrated financial need. Applicants must submit a one-page, recent example of their creative writing in any genre. Candidates must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents, meeting OSAP Ontario residency requirements. Apply through the Student UWinsite. Apply online by January 31. 

Alistair & Anita MacLeod Prize in Creative Writing

Awarded annually to a full-time student registered in the Department of English, chosen by a competition of the best fiction as judged by a Departmental committee. The candidate must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, who meets Ontario residency requirements, and has proven financial need. Apply online by January 31. 


The following awards do not require an application and are based on students' academic performance from the previous year:

The Helena M. Coyle B.A. Prize in English

Awarded annually to the student obtaining the highest standing in First Level English courses.

Edith Ellen Bowlby Scholarship in Canadian Literature

Designated for a student enrolled in level 2,3 or 4 of an Honours program in the Department of English. Awarded for academic excellence in courses pertaining to Canadian literature. Recipients must be Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents.

Edith Ellen Bowlby Scholarship in Creative Writing

Designated for a student enrolled in level 2,3 or 4 of an Honours program in the Department of English. Awarded for academic excellence and outstanding creative writing ability. Recipients must be Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents.

Adele Wiseman Poetry Award

Awarded annually at the end of the academic year to a student who has participated in one of the undergraduate creative writing classes during that year. Each instructor may submit poems (one per student) to the Department Head.

Alumni English Honours Award

Awarded annually on the basis of academic merit, to a student entering the second year of an Honours B.A. program majoring in English.