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Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada’s largest university, recognized as a global leader in research and teaching. U of T’s distinguished faculty, institutional record of groundbreaking scholarship and wealth of innovative academic opportunities continually attract outstanding students and academics from around the world. Few other universities offer as great a diversity of programs and resources.
U of T is committed to providing a learning experience which benefits from both a scale almost unparalleled in North America and from the close-knit learning communities made possible through its college system and academic divisions. U of T has 700 undergraduate programs in Humanities & Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Commerce & Management, Computer Science, Engineering, Kinesiology & Physical Education, Music, and Architecture.
Apply
Students who have been nominated by their schools as National Book Award recipients may submit applications to the National Scholarship Program. The National Scholarship rewards original, creative and committed Canadian secondary school students. These are students who demonstrate superior academic performance, original and creative thought, and exceptional achievement in a broad context. They excel in academic pursuits, demonstrate enthusiasm for intellectual exploration and have a strong involvement in the lives of their schools and communities. Approximately fifteen students are selected as National Scholars (winners) and ten are named Arbor Scholars (runners-up).
To learn more about awards, visit the Award Explorer.
Eligibility Criteria
- an original and creative thinker
- committed to school and community
- a high achiever in academic and creative pursuits
- enthusiastic about learning and intellectual exploration
- a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
- currently in your final year of Canadian secondary school or first-year CEGEP
- intending to begin university the following academic year (or intending to take a gap year)
- a National Book Award nominee
Award Value
The National Scholarship covers tuition, incidental and residence fees for up to four years of study. Finalists not designated as National Scholars receive Arbor Scholarships at a value of $7,500 in the first year and $1,500 per year for three additional years of undergraduate study. The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Toronto.
Application Process
Nominees must submit an online application form in order to be considered for the National Scholarship (i.e., nominees are not automatically considered for the scholarship). Nominees will receive an email with instructions on how to apply for the National Scholarship program.
National Scholarship Deadline
The online application form is now closed. The deadline for nominees to apply for the 2025 National Scholarship was October 17, 2024 (11:59pm EDT). The deadline for schools to submit a Book Award nomination was October 10, 2024 (11:59pm EDT). The link to the online application for the 2026 National Scholarship competition will go live by mid-September 2025.
Resources for Guidance Counsellors, Principals & Heads of School
We value our relationships with guidance counsellors, principals and heads of schools across Canada. We’ve prepared resources and answers to commonly asked questions about the National Book Award to help you advise your students.
How do I nominate a student for the National Book Award?
Canadian high schools that have previously participated in the National Book Award program are contacted annually by email with a personalized, secure nomination form. These schools are contacted by mid-September of each year. If you are a student, please contact your guidance counsellor to ask if you may be considered and/or for additional information. If you are a school official who would like to participate, please contact us at national.enquiry@utoronto.ca.
When can I nominate a student for the National Book Award?
The online nomination form opened on Friday, September 6, 2024 and the link was distributed to schools at that time.
The deadline for schools to submit a nomination for the 2025 admission cycle was Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Note that each school is assigned a customized link to the nomination form — please do not share it with other schools. If you are a teacher who has moved schools, please request a new link for your new school.
If you are a school official and your school has not previously participated in the National Book Award program, please email us at national.enquiry@utoronto.ca to obtain the link to you school’s customized nomination form.
Can I nominate more than one student for the National Book Award?
Schools can nominate only one student per year. The National Book Award is designed to recognize outstanding students from across Canada. Part of the selection process involves your school choosing your top candidate for nomination. We encourage schools to nominate the student that best exemplifies the qualities of the National Book Award.
When will my Book Award nominee be notified?
Nominees receive an email notification immediately after the school submits the nomination form. The email notification contains instructions on how to apply for the National Scholarship program.
When do we receive the National Book Award?
The National Book Award will be mailed to your school by May, for presentation to the student at your school’s graduation or awards ceremony.
When are National Scholarship applicants notified?
In order to be considered for the National Scholarship, nominees must submit a National Scholarship application form by the posted deadline (i.e., nominees are not automatically considered for the scholarship). The selection committee will select approximately twenty-five finalists to participate in selection interviews, which will be held virtually in January. Only successful candidates will be notified.
When do students receive the National Scholarship?
Approximately fifteen finalists will be designated as National Scholars. Payment of the National Scholarship is conditional upon full-time registration in September in a first-entry undergraduate program at the University of Toronto.
Can I nominate a student even if they haven’t applied to U of T?
Yes, you may nominate a student for the Book Award who has not applied for admission to U of T. Students do not need to attend U of T in order to receive the National Book Award. However, in order to submit the National Scholarship application, students must apply for admission to U of T.
I have more questions—whom can I contact?
Please direct all your U of T National Book Award and Scholarship Program enquiries to https://apply.adm.utoronto.ca/register/national-scholarship-inquiry.
Questions
We’re here to help! For questions about applying to the University of Toronto National Scholarship, please visit https://apply.adm.utoronto.ca/register/national-scholarship-inquiry
