Frequently Asked Questions

The 88% minimum GPA calculation for high school students includes only Grade 10, 11, and 12 level courses. (Courses taken at the Grade 9 level, even if completed during Grade 10, do not count.)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Filter your courses: Select only courses completed at the Grade 10, 11, or 12 level.
2. Calculate points for each course: Multiply the final grade you achieved by the number of credits the course was worth.
3. Find your total grade points: Add all of those results together.
4. Divide by total credits: Divide your total grade points by the total number of credits across all eligible courses.

Formula:

Weighted Average = Total Grade Points / Total Credits

Example:

If you took a 2-credit Grade 11 course and achieved 95%, and a 1-credit Grade 12 course and achieved 90%:

• Grade 11 Course: 95% × 2 credits = 190 points
• Grade 12 Course: 90% × 1 credit = 90 points
• Total Grade Points: 190 + 90 = 280 points
• Total Credits: 2 + 1 = 3 credits
• GPA: 280 ÷ 3 = 93.33%

Please input your GPA up to two decimal places.

For CEGEP students, your school can provide your R-score.

If your average falls slightly below the typical requirement—specifically within 86%–88% (GPA) or an R-score of 28–29—and you have faced significant barriers that impacted your academic performance, you may still request consideration. If you believe you can fulfill the expectations of a Loran Scholar, please email info@loranscholar.ca outlining your circumstances.

No. Current post-secondary students (with the exception of students attending Cegep) are not eligible for our awards.

Yes, but only if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Independence is an important character trait possessed by Loran Scholars. As a way to develop this and to broaden their perspectives, Loran Scholars have been encouraged to study outside of their home region. Many have learned and grown a great deal from that experience; however, we appreciate that there are other ways to develop independence.

We are here to support scholars in choosing a path that will help them forge independence and gain new perspectives; university choice is only one element of that. Our staff works with each scholar to make the decision that is best for them.

Loran Awards are only tenable at participating universities in Canada, but finalist and provincial awards are tenable for full time study at any accredited public university in Canada.

None of our awards are tenable at private institutions.

Applications for the Loran Award open Sept. 9, 2026. Learn more about becoming a Loran Scholar.

For those entering university in 2027, the deadline for submission of all applications was October 15, 2026 (at noon ET).

We accept transcripts or marks summaries that are produced by either the school, school board, or provincial/territorial Ministry of Education. This includes Alberta’s Detailed Academic Report (DAR) and Manitoba’s Statement of High School Marks. Ontario’s My Blueprint will not be accepted. If you are unsure of how to obtain this document, please speak to your guidance office. 

For CÉGEP students, we require school academic records that show the R score as well as grades. Generally, CÉGEP students can view and print these records from Omnivox. 

Report cards are not accepted. Screen shots are not accepted. Transcripts that only show International Baccalaureate (IB) scores, are not accepted. Do not crop the PDF. Your full name, student number/ID, and the issuing body’s official letterhead must be clearly visible. Getting a transcript can take some time so please start the process early. 

You must request a reference form from a teacher, a member of the community or someone else who is familiar with your activities. The referee may not be a family member or a friend.

Your referee will be able to complete and submit their reference while you work on your application. Your referee will receive a reference request email from info@loranscholar.ca. This email will contain a link allowing your referee to see your application and access the online reference form (250 words maximum).

No. Reference forms must be completed before the application deadline.

If your referee is unable to complete their task before the deadline, you may ask another qualified individual to do so. Please email info@loranscholar.ca if you need to change your referee.

We do not accept any late applications. Please note the deadline to apply for the 2027 Loran Award will be October 15, 2026, at noon ET.

Once your application is fully submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. Afterwards, only applicants selected as semi-finalists are notified of the status of their application.

If selected as semi-finalists, candidates are invited to participate in online interviews via videoconference. These interviews are an opportunity for semi-finalists to connect with one another, meet the local leaders who serve as our interviewers, and gain valuable interview experience. Candidates selected for semi-final interviews will be contacted at least a week in advance of their interview date.

After semi-final interviews, our committees invite outstanding semi-finalists to participate in national interviews which will be held in Toronto, Feb.18-21, 2027. Our committees also grant provincial & territorial awards and honour citations to semi-finalists who distinguish themselves at the semi-final regional level.

In remote regions where internet connectivity may be an issue, arrangements can be made to submit a mailed or scanned application. Please contact us at 416-646-2120 or info@loranscholar.ca for details. Note that prior arrangements must be made in order to submit an application this way.