SSB Post-Secondary ToolKit → → Canadian Athletic Scholarship Basics

How U Sports Scholarships Work

Athletic Financial Awards (AFAs)

• U Sports schools do not offer “full-ride” athletic scholarships like many U.S. programs.
• Instead, athletes may receive Athletic Financial Awards (AFAs), which:
  • Typically help cover tuition
  • Are partial, not full
  • Are renewable year-to-year based on:
    • Academic standing
    • Team contribution
    • Conduct and eligibility

The amount and structure of AFAs depend on:

• Conference regulations
• Individual university funding
• How a coach allocates their scholarship pool

Conference Differences in Canada

<aside> 🛠

OUA (Ontario University Athletics)

• There are no standalone “athletic scholarships.”
• Financial support is usually a combination of:
  • Academic entrance scholarships
  • Athletic recognition awards tied to academic eligibility
• Many athletes still receive funding </aside>

Lucas plays for Queen’s, a member of the OUA Conference

<aside> ⛰️

Canada West

• Schools are permitted to offer athletic scholarships for tuition.
• Basketball programs typically have up to 8 athletic scholarships available.
• These scholarships are:
  • Rarely given as full tuition to one player
  • Often divided among multiple athletes
  • Strategically distributed by coaches based on roster needs </aside>

Jackson plays for UVIC, a member of the Canada West Conference