Scholarships and Bursaries in New Brunswick: What Exists and Who Qualifies
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Aug 19, 2026 • Scholarships & Funding, Canadian Universities & Colleges
New Brunswick students fund their studies through four separate tracks: university entrance scholarships, in-course merit awards, need-based bursaries tied to your student aid application, and outside awards from community groups and employers.
🎓 Entrance scholarships are often automatic when you apply, or need a short extra form by a spring deadline.
💵 In-course scholarships need a minimum GPA and a fresh application every year.
📩 Bursaries are need-based and use the same financial details as your student loan file.
🏠 Community, credit union and employer awards come through your high school guidance office or the sponsor directly.
Where New Brunswick scholarship money comes from
Funding for New Brunswick students comes from four separate pools: your university's own entrance and in-course scholarships, need-based bursaries tied to your student aid application, external awards from community groups and employers, and the aid office's own emergency funds. Each pool runs on its own application, so one form rarely covers everything you qualify for.
Start at your institution's financial aid or awards office. The University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University , Universite de Moncton, Mount Allison University and the New Brunswick Community College campuses each publish a list of scholarships open to their own students, updated for the academic year you are enrolled in.
| Funding type | Based on | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance scholarship | High school average or admission profile | Automatic, or a short form when you apply |
| In-course scholarship | GPA and program standing | Awards office application, renewed yearly |
| Need-based bursary | Financial need shown on your aid file | Student aid application plus a bursary form |
| Community or employer award | Local ties, field of study, or a parent's workplace | Directly with the sponsoring group |
Entrance scholarships from your university
Most entrance scholarships at New Brunswick universities are tied to the average you submit with your application. Some are automatic: the admissions office scores your file and includes a scholarship offer alongside your acceptance.
Others need a separate form, sometimes with an essay or a reference, submitted before a spring deadline ahead of the September you plan to start.
Check whether the award renews. A one-time entrance scholarship pays out only in first year. A renewable one keeps paying through your program as long as you hold a minimum GPA, which the awards office states clearly on the scholarship listing.
In-course and merit scholarships
Once you are enrolled, a second layer of scholarships opens up for continuing students. Faculties and departments run their own awards for students with strong grades in a specific subject, and student services runs general merit scholarships open to any program. These almost always require a fresh application through the university's student portal each year, since the awards office reviews your latest transcript before deciding.
Watch for a fall deadline. Most in-course scholarship cycles close early in the fall term for the following aid year, so check the awards office listing as soon as your new transcript posts.
Need-based bursaries
Bursaries do not depend on your grades.
They depend on financial need, and the awards office usually pulls that information straight from the student aid application you already filed for a loan or grant. Filing that application early, even if you expect to rely mainly on scholarships, puts you in the pool for bursary matching without extra paperwork.
Ask your student services office about an emergency bursary too. Most New Brunswick campuses keep a small fund for students who hit an unexpected cost mid-term, such as a laptop repair or a rent shortfall, separate from the regular bursary cycle.
Community, employer and external awards
Service clubs. Local Rotary, Kinsmen and Legion branches fund awards for graduating high school students in their area.
Credit unions and local businesses. Many New Brunswick credit unions and regional employers run small annual scholarships for students from their service area.
Professional associations. Fields such as nursing, engineering and education often carry a provincial association award for students committed to working in New Brunswick after graduation.
A parent or guardian's employer. Ask if a workplace, union or professional body offers a scholarship for employees' children.
Your high school guidance office is the fastest way to find these. Most keep a running list of local awards, with deadlines that counsellors post through the winter and spring before graduation.
How to apply without missing deadlines
List every scholarship your university publishes for your entry year and note which are automatic versus which need a form.
File your student aid application as soon as the aid year opens, even before you know your full costs, so you get matched for need-based bursaries.
Ask your guidance counsellor or awards office for a local scholarship list and mark every deadline on a calendar.
Reapply for in-course and merit scholarships every year. Nothing renews itself unless the listing says so.
Contact student services directly if an unplanned cost comes up. Emergency bursary funds exist for exactly that.