UPEI’s Celebrating Student Achievement awards program puts the focus strongly on student achievement and leads to more scholarships being available to more students.

The program—including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards for current students— rewards students' academic excellence automatically upon entrance to, as well as throughout their studies at UPEI. Both incoming and current students will be motivated to do well and continue to do well, as they will know automatically at what level they will be rewarded. Awards are also "stackable" with other named scholarship and awards, even furthering the potential!

1. What is the Celebrating Student Achievement scholarship program?

The “Celebrating Student Achievement” scholarship program provides for two new award offerings: Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships for students entering UPEI directly from high school in the student’s graduating year, and Academic Excellence Awards for any UPEI undergraduate students who meet the grade scale criteria during their second, third, and fourth years. There are four levels of awards, from $500–$3000 per year, based on a student’s average from the previous year. These new awards enhance UPEI’s current awards program.

2. I’m entering UPEI directly from high school, how do I qualify?

Eligible students entering UPEI directly from high school in their graduating year will automatically qualify for a Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship based on their Grade 12 average—the average calculated on the five courses used for admission into the University.

Admissions Average	Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship
95 - 100%	$3,000
90 - 94.99%	$2,000
85 - 89.99%	$1,000
80 - 84.99%	$500

NOTE: Awards of more than $1,000 will be posted to a student’s account in two installments, divided equally, at the beginning of each semester.

3. Who is eligible for Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships?

Canadian citizens, permanent residents and landed immigrants who complete high school in Canada or overseas are eligible. Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships are available to students entering UPEI directly from high school in their graduating year for their first undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s) in Arts, Business, Science and Nursing*. 

4. What if I want to start in January instead of September?

In order to be eligible for the scholarship, students must maintain full-time registration status in both semesters; full-time is defined as a minimum of 9 (nine) semester hours of credit in each of the fall and winter semesters (September and January).

5. How does the “Celebrating Student Achievement” program apply to international students?

UPEI offers scholarships for academic excellence to international students on a merit basis. Once international students have studied at UPEI for one year (full-time status), their academic achievement will be reviewed for Academic Excellence Awards in the same way as other UPEI students. Please contact inte@upei.ca for more details. 

6. How does the "Celebrating Student Achievement" program apply to UPEI students participating in an International Exchange experience?

Students participating in an approved International Exchange Experience with a UPEI partner school remain eligible for an Academic Excellence Award if they abide by UPEI's 'Study Abroad' requirements, and maintain full-time registration status at UPEI prior to participating in the exchange, and upon their return. For students completing one semester on exchange, the academic average is calculated using all course grades completed at UPEI within the current year (September to August). For students completing a full year on exchange, the most recent academic year average at UPEI (September to August) will be used. 

7. Do I have to apply for the scholarships?

No. There is no mandatory ‘apply by date’ to qualify for the Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship or Academic Excellence Award and awards are automatically posted to a student’s account.

8. When will my Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships be confirmed?

Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship awards will be confirmed for a guaranteed value upon receipt of final official high school transcripts.

9. What if I’m an IB student?

International Baccalaureate Diploma Graduates will qualify for an award based upon the following:

Diploma Score	Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship
36 - 45	$3,000
32 - 35	$2,000
29 - 31	$1,000
27 - 28	$500

NOTE: Awards of more than $1,000 will be posted to a student’s account in two installments, divided equally, at the beginning of each semester.

10. Who is eligible for Academic Excellence Awards?

Returning UPEI students (including international students) entering their second, third, or fourth year of study in a first undergraduate degree in Arts, Business, Science, and Nursing* are eligible for Academic Excellence Awards.

11. I’m already a student at UPEI, how do I qualify for Academic Excellence Awards?

UPEI students entering second, third, or fourth year will automatically qualify for Academic Excellence Awards based on grade performance at UPEI in the previous academic year, September to August.

A student's grade performance is calculated as a weighted overall academic average, which includes all numeric grades received in courses completed weighted by the number of credit hours assigned to each course.

Students must maintain full-time registration status, full-time defined as a minimum of 9 (nine) semester hours of credit in each of the fall and winter semesters (September and January) to be eligible. 

Overall Average	Academic Excellence Award
95 - 100%	$3,000
90 - 94.99%	$2,000
85 - 89.99%	$1,000
80 - 84.99%	$500

NOTE: Awards of more than $1,000 will be posted to a student’s account in two installments, divided equally, at the beginning of each semester.

12. Can I receive a Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship, and then an Academic Excellence Award for every year I’m at UPEI?

If you receive a Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship as you enter your first year, you remain eligible to receive Academic Excellence Awards for a maximum of three years, as these are based on your grade performance at UPEI the previous year. Celebrating Student Achievement awards (Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship + Academic Excellence Awards) are available for the first four years of continuous, full-time study.

13. What if I receive a Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship, but my marks drop after my first year?

Your marks will be automatically assessed every May after your first year. Even if you do not qualify after your first year, you can still earn an Academic Excellence Award the following year if your marks improve.

14. Do I have to apply after my first year for the Academic Excellence Award?

No, these awards are automatic. All students in Arts, Science, Business, and Nursing* will be automatically assessed in May (and updated again in late August) by the Registrar’s Office.

15. When will I know if I’m receiving an Academic Excellence Award?

You will be notified by the Registrar's Office after all final marks are received for the academic year in the month of August, via an email to your UPEI address. If you are not taking any summer session courses, your overall average will be calculated on courses taken September to May.

16. When do I receive the money for either the Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship or Academic Excellence Award?

Awards will be credited to a student’s account at the beginning of the school year, and accessible by students once all tuition charges and fees are processed for the given semester. NOTE: Awards of more than $1,000 will be posted to a student’s account in two installments, divided equally, at the beginning of each semester.

17. Can I combine my Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship or Academic Excellence Award with other awards?

Yes. Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards are stackable for those students who apply and qualify for application-based scholarships with a March 1 application deadline.

* excludes students studying for second degree or in an accelerated program