SDG 1 - Strategic Initiatives
At Western University, we are committed to educational success and high graduation rates for all of our students. Our strategic plan, Towards Western at 150, calls us to Create a more equitable and inclusive Western where We will embark on a formal program of strategic enrolment management for undergraduate recruitment that will, among other things, attract and retain strong applicants from equity-deserving groups. We are mandated to establish a baseline of demographic information for students, faculty, and staff to set goals for increased representation among members of equity-deserving groups.
Admission of Low-income Students
We admit students that fall into the bottom 20% of household income. We are committed to ensuring that these students have equal opportunities for admission based on their educational performance. Western admits students solely on the basis of grades and program-specific admission requirements (e.g., a portfolio component for Visual Arts). Students from the bottom quintile of household income qualify for admission based on their academic achievements. They can access the financial support outlined below as needed. Western offers Access Pathways for equity-deserving groups, including low-income applicants.
Student Supports
Western University offers a variety of support services to help students from low-income families succeed academically and manage their financial challenges:
- Financial Aid Programs: Western provides numerous bursaries, scholarships, and awards based on financial need. These funds help cover tuition, residence fees, rent, food, books, and other essential expenses.
- Work-Study Program: This program allows students to work part-time on campus, providing them with a source of income while gaining valuable work experience.
- Special Assistance Programs: Additional bursaries and grants are available for students with special needs, including those from low-income families. These programs help cover educational costs and other expenses.
- Food Support: Western has initiatives to address food insecurity among students, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals.
- Housing Support: The university offers assistance with on-campus housing and can provide guidance for finding affordable off-campus housing.
- Transportation: A London Transit Bus Pass fee is included in all undergraduate students’ tuition. Graduate students are part of the universal bus pass program.
- Community Legal Services: Offers free legal advice and services to low-income people in the London community, including Western University students.
- Health & Wellness: An appointment-based medical clinic is available for all students, covered by a minimal auxiliary tuition fee.
- Mental Health and Peer Supports: Free support groups, consultations, referrals, groups, and workshops are available.
- Academic Support: Develops strengths, provides leadership opportunities, and builds confidence and competence to thrive.
- Financial Counselling: Access to confidential financial aid counselling and financial literacy workshops.
- LSAT Preparation: Western Law offers a free course annually for aspiring law students who are economically disadvantaged.
- Schulich Admissions Counselling: Free mentorship and application support to underrepresented students.
- Talent Acquisition: HirewesternU connects equity-deserving students with employers.
- WUSC Partner: Western partners with the World University Service of Canada to provide education to refugees through the Student Refugee Program.
Financial Support 
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is available to all Ontario residents who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, refugees, or other protected persons. Additionally, the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students is available to those in financial need (in the 2022-23 cohort, approximately 32% of students qualified for this grant).
Our Financial Aid program helps students from low-income families and additional equity-deserving groups overcome financial barriers and food insecurity to succeed academically. Costs considered include tuition, ancillary fees, residence fees, rent, food, books & equipment, and more. Assistance is provided through awards, bursaries, and the Work-Study program, potentially covering all costs for four years. Western's support includes but is not limited to:
- Needs based awards
- James Jenkins President’s Entrance Scholarship for Black Students
- Admission Scholarships for Black Students
- National Indigenous Scholarships
- Neen Hodgins Indigenous Continuing Admission Scholarship
- Admission Scholarships for Indigenous Students
- Youth in Extended Society Care
- Scholarships for Globally Displaced Students
- Afghan Student Refugee Scholarship
- Project Hero Scholarship
- First Generation Bursary
- Out of province guarantee
- New to Canada Grant
- Continue in Canada Admission Scholarship
- Welcome to Canada Admission Scholarship
- Automatic Admission Scholarships
- International President’s Entrance Scholarships
- National Scholarship Program
- Schulich Leader Scholarships
- International Student Emergency Loan
- 80+ external scholarships and awards
We also have an Institutional Special Bursary Program to help students from low-income families participate in post-secondary education on a part-time basis.
Low-income Country Support
Western offers supports to students to ensure they have access to education and resources, which are also available to students from low-income countries.
Many of our initiatives are open to international students from low-income countries, such as Needs Based Awards, Scholarships for Globally Displaced Students, the Afghan Student Refugee Scholarship, the International President’s Entrance Scholarships, and targeted support for international students.
Western also offers an International Student Emergency Loan to assist students in the event of an emergency. Students have access to health and dental plans, which cover 80%-100% of standard services.
Additional Resources and Initiatives
Western’s additional innovative ways to support disadvantaged students and communities include:
- Schulich’s Trauma-Informed Care Curriculum: Trains medical students to provide trauma-informed care, with a focus on refugee populations and their unique needs.
- Centre for Research on Migration and Ethnic Relations: Conducts important research on migration, refugee resettlement, and the challenges faced by ethnic minorities.
- International Funding Opportunities: A range of funding programs that enable global collaborations and help address issues like poverty and displacement.
Policy Guidance
Western actively engages in policymaking with the goal of ending poverty in all its dimensions. Our efforts span local, regional, national, and global levels. We provide expert advice to governments through policy guidance, committees, and partnerships.
The Government Relations Department at Western University demonstrates our commitment to collaborating with the municipal government in the City of London, the provincial government in Ontario, and the federal government of Canada. Under the leadership of Alex Irving, Executive Director of Government Relations, we strive to enhance relationships and develop comprehensive approaches to policy issues.
- United Way Campaign — Through its United Way campaign, Western collaborates with NGOs to shape public policy aimed at reducing poverty. This partnership focuses on investing in local services and programs, advocating for community needs, and shaping public policy.
- City of London Local Government Program — Western collaborates with the City of London to offer a graduate diploma specializing in local administration and policy analysis, with a focus on London.
- Centre for Urban Policy and Local Governance — This centre connects policy practitioners, academics, and the public to understand the urban context of policymaking by all levels of government.
- Centre for Research on Health Equity and Social Inclusion — This centre aims to inform policy for better health outcomes, focusing on the effects of socio-economic conditions and the importance of financial stability.
- Science Meets Parliament — This program, and similar initiatives, brings academic perspectives into conversations with policymakers to build relationships.
- The Future of Agri-food — Ivey’s ongoing event series, freely available to all farmers and policymakers, seeks to address collaborative solutions to poverty and food insecurity through technology and policymaking.
- Canadian Neighbourhood Change Explorer — The Network for Economic and Social Trends launched this online portal, mapping Canada’s neighbourhoods and allowing for informed policymaking.
- Making Supportive Housing Work for Canada’s Most Vulnerable — This report is designed to inform the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation about policymaking to provide housing to those facing moderate to high support needs.
- Institute for Research on Public Policy — Western actively participates as a council member to shape national policy.
- Western Heads East — This initiative addresses global poverty in rural communities by improving access to education, increasing land ownership, and expanding economic opportunities. It engages government agencies to drive policy changes.
- Maternal Newborn and Child Health in Rwanda — This program aims to strengthen policy development in maternal, newborn, and child health in Rwanda.
- Institute for Social and Economic Policy Research — The institute’s research focuses on policies related to educational attainment, poverty, inequality, immigration, diversity, population change, local government, urban affairs, and community development.
