Student Information

Obtaining scholarships, bursaries, awards can be a good way to help pay for the cost of a post-secondary education. Unlike student loans, money from these sources does not have to be paid back.

Links for some websites that might be helpful in your search for scholarships, bursaries, awards appear below. Please note that while some scholarships emphasize academic achievements, others look at things such as volunteer activities, extra-curricular activities, community involvement, financial need.

1. Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-apply-osap


2. Scholarships and Bursaries that can be identified Using Search Engines

There are many free search engines available to assist you in your search for scholarships and bursaries. We suggest you take a look at several, for example:


3. Scholarship and Bursary Opportunities Posted on University/ College Student Portals

When colleges and universities send you acknowledgments that they have received your applications, they often contain information that allows you to access their student portals. These portals often give you access to information about scholarships and bursaries administered by each college and university.


4. Scholarships and Bursaries for Groups You or your Parents May Belong to

Take some time to find out if there are any scholarships or bursaries that are available specifically for groups that you or your parents belong to, for example:

  • your employer, if you’ve had any part-time or summer jobs

  • groups to which you or your family belong, for example, community associations, youth clubs, sports teams

  • your parents’ employer or workplace union


5. Scholarships and Bursaries Identified by the Ridgemont Scholarship Volunteers

Your scholarship and bursary volunteers have identified some other scholarships, bursaries, awards. They are organized by the month in which applications are due, starting in September. To access these, go to the Navigation Bar on the left. (If the navigation bar is not visible, click on the ≡ symbol in the top left of the screen.)


6. Notes

a. Application forms may be available for only a few weeks before deadlines for submitting applications. Check the sponsor websites regularly.

b. Requirements for scholarship and bursary applications tend to fluctuate from year to year and may change without notice. We recommend that you visit the websites of scholarships and bursaries you are interested in applying for frequently, and that you verify the information provided (particularly eligibility criteria and deadlines) each time you visit.

c. Many scholarship and bursary applications require that you submit an essay about topics such as your goals, your community involvement, your extra-curricular activities and volunteer activities, your academic and career plans. We suggest you draft an initial version of this information as soon as you begin looking for scholarships and bursaries. You can then use this draft information as a starting point each time you prepare an essay for a specific scholarship or bursary application.

d. Please see below for a link to a student handbook that contains information on a wide range of topics you may have questions about as you prepare your applications. This handbook was prepared by Education Matters to assist students living in Calgary in completing applications for Education Matters awards/scholarships. We suggest you take a look at Sections 1 through 5, then Section 14. These sections contain information on how to prepare an Essay as well as on how to request Letters of Recommendation.

Award Applicant’s Handbook