This Month: January is a critical checkpoint for families with students applying to university or college. Parents should be aware that many application deadlines have just passed or are fast approaching. Schools may begin requesting additional documents such as transcripts, proof of enrollment, or supplementary forms.
This month is also key for scholarships and entrance awards, as many major applications open or close in January and often require parent involvement for financial or residency information. Families should monitor email portals closely (including spam folders), ensure OUAC/ApplyAlberta/other provincial portals show complete submissions, and begin early conversations about financial planning, including tuition deposits, residence fees, and FAFSA/Canadian aid timelines.
Staying organized and responsive in January can prevent missed opportunities and reduce stress later in the spring.
— The Campus Plan
What Students Should be doing this Month
In January, Canadian students should be:
Logging into provincial application portals to confirm that all applications are marked complete
Checking email daily (including junk folders) for messages from universities, colleges, and scholarship providers
Submitting any requested documents, transcripts, or supplementary forms on time
Applying for scholarships and entrance awards with January deadlines
Tracking important upcoming dates such as interviews, residence applications, and deposit deadlines
Organizing passwords, portals, deadlines, and documents in one place
Key Admission Deadlines for January
University of British Columbia, BC
January 15, 2026 – Final deadline to submit your undergraduate application (all students)
University of Waterloo, ON
January 15, 2026 – Deadline to apply to most Engineering programs (excluding Architecture)
January 30, 2026 – Deadline to apply to most other Waterloo programs.
January 30, 2026 – Deadline to submit supporting documents for Engineering programsOntario Universities, ON
January 15, 2026 – OUAC deadline for equal consideration for most Ontario university programs (e.g., U of T, Western, Queen’s, McMaster when they follow OUAC timelines)University of Toronto, ON
January 15, 2026 – Deadline for many supporting documents to be submitted for programs in: Science, Engineering & Music (for students who applied earlier)
Western University, ON
January 15, 2026 – Deadline to submit your OUAC application for equal consideration and Ivey AEO applicationMcGill University, QC
January 15, 2026 – Deadline for some entrance scholarship components
Dalhousie University, NS
Entrance Scholarship Nomination Deadline – January 28, 2026
Canadian Colleges - Mainly Ontario
The month of January is the last month to finalize and submit college applications as February 1, 2026 is the deadline
January Scholarship List
Canadian Angus Foundation Legacy Scholarship
Applicant: Open to members of the Canadian Junior Angus Association
Amount: $500 to $5,000
Number Awarded: 4
Deadline: January 5, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
University of Alberta Entrance Scholarships
Applicant: Undergraduate students entering fall 2026 (Canadian & International)
Amount: Multiple
Number Awarded: 100+
Deadline: January 10, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada (AFOA): Nutrien Indigenous Youth Financial Management Awards (Grades 11 & 12)
Applicant: Youth of Indigenous ancestry in Grades 11 and 12
Amount: $5,000 over 2 years
Number Awarded: 3
Deadline: January 12, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
Simon Fraser University (SFU) Scholarships & Awards
Applicant: Incoming or current SFU students. SFU runs a consolidated award application
Amount: Varies
Number Awarded: Multiple
Deadline: January 16, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals (FPCBP) Scholarships
Applicant: Open to students who are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Portuguese descent.
Amount: $4,000
Number Awarded: Multiple
Deadline: January 19, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
The Home Depot – Homer Fund Orange Scholars Scholarship
Applicant: Applicant must be a current high school senior, or a current college freshman, sophomore, or junior planning to enroll as a full-time undergraduate or trade school student in the fall of 2026
Amount: $1,000 - $2,500
Number Awarded: Varies
Deadline: January 20, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
Algonquin College Scholarships & Bursaries
Applicant: Open to students who are enrolled full-time at Algonquin College for the upcoming Fall 2026
Amount: Multiple
Number Awarded: 100+
Deadline: January 21, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
Nordiq Canada Ski to School Scholarship
Applicant: An individual who combines excellence in both academics and cross-country skiing.
Amount: $1,000
Number Awarded: 1
Deadline: January 23, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
University of Guelph’s Top Scholarships: The Lincoln Alexander Chancellor’s Scholarship
Applicant: Open to students who are Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), a person with a disability or a person of color/racialized person
Amount: $42,500
Number Awarded: 2
Deadline: January 23, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: 519-824-4120
Sheridan College Scholarships
Applicant: Open to students who are enrolled full-time at Sheridan College for the upcoming Fall 2026
Amount: Multiple
Number Awarded: 100+
Deadline: January 25, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: hub.sheridancollege.ca
Schulich Leader Scholarships
Applicant: Open to students who are nominated by their high school.
Amount: $100,000 - $120,000
Number Awarded: 100
Deadline: January 28, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: https://schulichleaders.com/
Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) Scholarships
Applicant: Students studying water resources, hydrology, environmental science, water engineering
Amount: $1,500 - $5,000
Number Awarded: Multiple
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
First Canada: Don Bossi Leadership and Innovation Canadian Scholarship
Applicant: Open to students currently enrolled or who have been enrolled in a Canadian high school.
Amount: $5,000
Number Awarded: 1
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
First Canada: Canadian Women in STEM Scholarship
Applicant: Open to young women in robotics who demonstrate a deep dedication to the advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM through impressive leadership and a strong passion for the field.
Amount: $10,000
Number Awarded: 1
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
Mohawk College Scholarships & Bursaries
Applicant: Open to students who are enrolled full-time at Mohawk College for the upcoming Fall 2026
Amount: Multiple
Number Awarded: 100+
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
PPAO (Police Pensioners Association of Ontario) Memorial Scholarship
Applicant: Open to a child, grandchild or great grandchild of a PPAO member
Amount: $2,000 - $3,000
Number Awarded: 8
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]
Union Plus Scholarship Program
Applicant: Open to current and retired members of a union that participates in Union Plus — plus their families (spouse, children, often parents)
Amount: $500 - $4,000
Number Awarded: Varies
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Apply: HERE
Contact: [email protected]