Scholarships
Tips for Applying for Scholarships
Scholarships Canada: A Guide to Scholarships, Awards and Applications
Maclean's Magazine: How to get a university scholarship: six tips for success
Tips for Writing Scholarship Essays:
International Student: http://www.internationalstudent.com/essay_writing/scholarship_essaysample/
Top Universities: http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/scholarship-advice/how-write-winning-scholarship-essay
Student Scholarship Search: http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/tips/scholarship-essay-tips.php
Reference Letters
When applying for a scholarship that requires a reference letter from a teacher, guidance counsellor or administrator, please:
Ask 2-3 weeks prior to the scholarship deadline
Provide a copy of the scholarship and a 'ghost letter' outlining how you meet the criteria
Take note of the application instructions regarding reference letters (i.e. sent by the school, separate envelope, etc.)
INTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS / BURSARIES
Most colleges and universities offer many scholarships /bursaries which are open only to students who attend/will attend their school. These scholarships/ bursaries do require an application with varying deadlines and criteria.
Visit the financial aid/student awards and individual faculty/department pages of the university or college website to find out about their specific scholarships and bursaries.
University Scholarships: http://www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca/scholarships
College Website: https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/colleges/contact-the-colleges
EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS / BURSARIES
Scholarships and Bursaries with a Direct Application
There are so many scholarships and bursaries! Below, we've included information on just a few of the ones that are available.
However, we can't include them all, so please do your own research. There may be scholarships or bursaries available specifically for you available from:
your employer, if you’ve had any part-time or summer jobs
groups to which you or your family belong (ex: community associations, youth clubs, sports teams, religious affiliation)
your parents’ employer or workplace union
Another great OCDSB high school website to check out is Ridgemont Scholarships which is dedicated to scholarship and bursary resources and application deadlines. Click on the sidebar to search by month.
Ontario Learn and Stay Grant
The Government of Ontario launched an Ontario Learn and Stay Grant in spring 2023 for post-secondary students who enrol in priority programs in priority communities and commit to work in those communities after they graduate.
The Ontario Learn and Stay Grant provides funding for students studying in priority postsecondary programs in under-served and growing communities in Northern, Southwestern and Eastern Ontario. This program:
requires you to work in the region where you studied
responds to labour market needs, including in health care
helps underserved and growing communities get the workers they need for in-demand professions
The grant will cover the cost of:
tuition
compulsory fees
books
other direct educational costs (for example, supplies, equipment)
Find out which programs, postsecondary institutions and regions are eligible. The same programs are eligible for the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 school years.
You can also apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) to help pay for other expenses, such as living costs.
Loran Scholarship - $100,000 over 4 years (CLOSED FOR 2023/2024)
Apply directly for a Loran Scholarship. You must be graduating in 2024, have a minimum average of 85%, hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status and be born between 1 Jan 2002 - 1 Sept 2008.
Applications are due by October 11 at 8:00pm ET (including a reference letter.) Up to 36 Loran Awards are being offered and, in addition,they are granting up to 124 Finalist and Provincial & Territorial Awards ($6,000 or $2,000 each, respectively) to promising candidates.
Western University - National Scholarship Program (CLOSED FOR 2023/2024)
Western’s National Scholarship Program supports the dreams of top students whose potential can be realized through a world-class education at one of Canada’s leading universities.
We’re looking for high-potential applicants who excel in the classroom and in their extracurricular pursuits. Our aim is to attract the best students from across Canada and around the world, helping them achieve their academic goals while encouraging their vital contributions to our extraordinary campus culture.
Some of our National Scholarships include:
One Neen Hodgins National Entrance Scholarship valued at $80,000
One President’s Entrance Scholarship valued at $70,000
Four President’s Entrance Scholarships valued at $65,000 and up to 15 more at $50,000
Five James Jenkins President’s Entrance Scholarship for Black Students valued at $50,000
One Beryl Ivey Continuing Entrance Scholarship valued at $92,000
One Neen Hodgins President’s International Entrance Scholarship valued at $80,000 for international (visa) students
Three International President’s Entrance Scholarships valued at $50,000 for international (visa) students
Up to 15 Faculty Entrance Scholarships valued at $30,000
Up to 46 National Scholarship Study Abroad Awards valued up to $5,000
Up to 50 National Merit Awards valued at $2,000 for one year
More details about all the scholarship programs offered at Western can be found online . If you have any questions, our Student Financial Services Officer Norma Merino would be pleased to help at 519-661-2111 extension 85958 or email nmerino@uwo.ca
Grade 11 Only! - Horatio Alger Scholarship Application (CLOSED FOR 2023/2024)
$5,000 - $10,000 scholarships for Grade 11 students heading to university!
The Horatio Alger Association of Canada offers 10 scholarships of $10,000 and 150 scholarships of $5000 for students in need. We support resilient students nationwide facing adversity and financial need. Beyond scholarships, we provide additional financial aid and holistic care, including mental health services, mentorship, and one-on-one academic and financial counselling.
Lynch-Getty Global Student Award (CLOSED FOR 2023/2024)
The Lynch-Getty Global Student Award is presented to four students every June who are in Grade 12 in a school of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. Both Canadian residents as well as international fee-paying students may submit an application. Recipients will have demonstrated leadership in their community and involvement in groups, events and activities that foster cross-cultural learning and understanding in school and in the community. Details are provided in the attachments.
Packages are being sent to all schools this week with the following items (that are also attached to this email):
An information flyer that can be posted and distributed as needed – a QR code on the flyer will lead students to the online application process
A hard copy of the application form, should it be needed; the deadline for submission is April 17, 2024 (noon). Applications must be submitted electronically via the link indicated here and in the attachments.
FACTSHEET.LynchGettyGlobalStudentAward.2024.pdfAPPLICATION.LynchGetty.GlobalStudentAward.2024.docSchulich Builders: Scholarship for Skilled Trades - $40,000 (CLOSED FOR 2024)
Schulich Builders are scholarships for students enrolling in an eligible, full-time skilled trade program at one of 10 participating colleges in Ontario. Each college will award 10 scholarships - 5 for one-year certificate programs and 5 for two-year diploma programs - valued at $40 000 to cover the cost of tuition, tools and living expenses. Algonquin College is one of the participating colleges.
CHS can nominate up to 5 students for the Schulich Builder's Award. A student does not require a nomination to apply for this scholarship, but priority is given to nominated students. If you are interested in being nominated for this award, please send a short essay (maximum 150 words) to Mr. Barker (scott.barker@ocdsb.ca) by February 29 at 4:00pm outlining why you should be considered for the scholarship.
Here is the link for Algonquin: Schulich Builders: Scholarships for the Skilled Trades: https://www.algonquincollege.com/acce/schulich-builders-scholarship/
Application Deadline Date: Monday, March 25th, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Scholarship - Ilana & Steven Rubin Scholarship
Applications for the Ilana and Steven Rubin Scholarship are now open. This Education Scholarship is valued at $1,800 and available to students in Ontario and the Maritime provinces.
The scholarship is open to High School students graduating in 2024 and then going on to university, college, or a higher institution of learning that provides programs of at least two years or more. Students applying for the scholarship must graduate from high school with grades averaging between 60%-79% for Grades 11 and 12 combined.
Applications close May 1, 2024 and the full application form is available here. For more information, please visit our website.
scan_c56293_2024-03-01-15-12-14.pdfAlgonquin College: Joyce Family Foundation Bursary (CLOSED FOR 2023/2024)
The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary is a $5,000 renewable entrance award for full-time students entering their first year in any two-, three-, or four-year program at Algonquin. This bursary is designed to assist students in financial need who have shown resilience in overcoming personal adversities: https://www.algonquincollege.com/financial-aid/awards-and-scholarships/joyce-family-foundation-bursary/
The deadline to apply is March 31st, 2024.
Eligibility criteria:
First-time post-secondary students.
Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons residing in Ontario.
Must have graduated from a high school in the Ottawa, Perth, or Pembroke catchment areas within the last three years.
Demonstrated financial need and personal resilience.
GP Bursary Announcement.pdfGP Bursary Application.pdfOttawa School of Theatre - Scholarship (CLOSED FOR 2023/2024)
I am reaching out to inform you about an exciting scholarship grant opportunity for post-secondary students pursuing the performing arts!
The Ottawa School of Theatre is offering a scholarship grant of up to 1000$ cash awards to past or current students of our school, between the ages of 17-25 for their studies. Two awards will be granted; one from our French classes and one from our English classes.
An important criteria: Applicants must have done at least 3 classes, camps, or workshops at the Ottawa School of Theatre at any point in the past.
If you are interested in applying for this scholarship grant, please visit our website for more information and access how to apply: Kathi Langston Post-Secondary Scholarship
The deadline for application is April 12, 2024.
Celine Tower Grant
$1000 toward first year undergraduate studies in Writing, Journalism, or Communications
Deadline: May 31, 2024.
As editor of VISTAS (the Alta Vista-Canterbury Community Newspaper) for over 30 years, Celine Tower supported young people through our community paper, seeing them as the future. In her memory, VISTAS offers this grant each year to support youth entering journalism or a similar field of study.
Are you a high school student from the VISTAS community pursuing undergraduate studies in Writing, Journalism or Communications in September 2024? You may qualify to apply for the Celine Tower Grant in the amount of $1000 (CAD) to go towards the cost of your studies. Please note: applicants must currently reside or study in the Alta Vista/Canterbury/ Elmvale Acres/Ellwood area.
In addition to the application form, indicating the intended program of studies and school, applicants will submit a well-written, newspaper-worthy essay of 500 - 800 words, and a resumé, highlighting any community involvement or relevant interests. The VISTAS Board may also invite qualifying applicants to participate in an interview before awarding the grant.
Please email valda.vistas@gmail.com for more information or to request an application.
Scholarships - ScholarTree
With the school year quickly ending, ScholarTree.ca has made a concerted effort to add as many scholarships as possible to the platform. May is the end of peak scholarship season, so there are many awards with upcoming deadlines.
We currently have 91 scholarships, equating to 527 awards and a total of over $1.4 Million, with the application periods ending this month. So, there is still time for students who have put off applying for scholarships throughout the school year.
Students can sort their scholarship list (https://scholartree.ca/scholarships) by the deadline using the sort-by option at the top of the page.
A reminder of a scholarship available nationwide:
JDB Hockey Scholarship - Students who play hockey
Future on Tap Scholarship - Non-Binary or Woman studying STEM
Geotab Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Engineering Scholarship - BIPOC studying STEM
The Brandon Walli "Phones Down, Eyes Up" Memorial Scholarship - Students studying Arts, Creative Arts, or Music
Here are a few resources you can use:
Here is a blog outlining the most common mistakes we see on scholarship applications - https://scholartree.ca/blog/the-6-most-common-mistakes-when-applying-to-scholarships
At the bottom of https://scholartree.ca/educators, there is a downloadable budget planner that students can use to prepare for next year
FINAL-BCSF-2024-application-form-March-2024.pdfOCISO - Marion Dewar Scholarship Fund (MDSF)
The Marion Dewar Scholarship Fund (MDSF) was established by Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) in 2009, in honour of the late Marion Dewar, former Mayor of Ottawa. The goal of the scholarship fund is to provide financial support to foster academic and leadership excellence in immigrant and refugee youth. The fund supplements the tuition and supplies required for their post-secondary education in the National Capital Region. Each year, a scholarship of $1,500 each is awarded to three immigrant and refugee youth.
Eligibility:
Be a resident of the National Capital Region
Be an immigrant or refugee
Demonstrate financial need
Be a graduating senior from a high school or from another accredited secondary institution in the National Capital Region
Be pursuing a degree/diploma/certificate from an accredited post-secondary institution in the National Capital Region
Have good academic standing: A minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or 80%
Demonstrate leadership skills and community involvement
Please see the details and apply today. Deadline is May 31, 2024