• Double-check your ED/EA deadlines: Some fall as early as October 15. Note that some school-based scholarships require that you apply by the early deadline.

• University of California and CSU: Applications are due on November 30.

• FAFSA + CSS PROFILE: Start filling out these forms to meet the deadlines set by the colleges on your list. 

• Demonstrated interest: Remember that it’s important to let colleges on your list know you’re really interested in attending their schools. Keep connecting with college representatives when they visit our school, your community or via virtual sessions online.

• Research scholarships: Continue to research scholarship opportunities, making special note of requirements and deadlines.

Applications are now open. Apply here.

In early October 2023, applications will open on Education Planner B.C.

Deadline to apply for students seeking first-round offers of admission and consideration for major entrance scholarships: December 1, 2023 

Final admissions application deadline: January 15, 2024.

The UBC personal profile is a crucial section in your application. This is your chance to tell them about the things that are important to you, your significant achievements, what you’ve learned from your experiences, and the challenges you’ve overcome. It’s UBC’s chance to determine whether you’re a good fit and if you’ll receive an entrance scholarship. Click here for more information.

Waterloo has developed a quiz to help you determine which engineering program is right for you! Waterloo Engineering programs are direct-entry — what this means is that there is no general first year. You'll start your studies within a specific field of engineering from day one.

Even if you are not interested in Waterloo, this is a good quiz to check your interest in engineering. Click here.

Researching Scholarships
Scholarships and academic awards abound for Year 12 students. All students can research the UCO's curated list of scholarships by using Naviance. Login to your account and select COLLEGES > SCHOLARSHIPS. 

Researching and planning your scholarship applications is a process that takes time. The dividend can be quite rewarding. As always, meeting with your counsellor to get direction and support is an important resource to use.

Schulich Leader Scholarships

Schulich Leader Scholarships are the largest and most prestigious undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) scholarships in Canada, with a value of up to $120,000 per award. This scholarship was established to encourage the best and brightest students to be the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators. Launched in 2012, 800 students have received this celebrated award.

UCC can nominate one student for the Schulich Leader Scholarships. In a future Heads Up, we will include details on how students can apply to be nominated. In the meantime, interested students are encouraged to explore the Schulich Leader website and speak with their University Counsellor.

Boston University Trustee Scholarship

Year 12 students applying to Boston University are encouraged to explore the Trustee Scholarship. In addition to exceptional academic credentials, Trustee Scholars are intellectually and creatively adventurous and demonstrate viewpoints, experiences, or achievements beyond the usual. They are, in other words, not just top students, but extraordinarily well-rounded individuals. At BU, Trustee Scholars become part of a unique campus community that offers many intellectual, cultural, and social opportunities. Trustee Scholars rank at the top of their classes and demonstrate exceptional leadership in their schools and communities. The Trustee Scholarship covers full undergraduate tuition plus orientation and mandatory undergraduate student fees for four years. To be considered, students must submit their application for admission to BU with one Trustee Scholarship essay by December 1, 2023. More information about the Trustee Scholarship can be found on the website. Interested students are encouraged to speak with their University Counsellor.

University of Toronto National Scholarship Program

Students in Year 12 who are interested in studying at the University of Toronto should check out the U of T National Scholarship Program. There is no nomination requirement, so any UCC student who is interested and qualified can apply. They are looking for a student who is an original and creative thinker, committed to their school and community, a high achiever in academic and creative pursuits, and enthusiastic about learning and intellectual exploration. Applicants must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person. The National Scholarship covers tuition, incidentals and residence fees for up to four years of undergraduate studies at UofT. Finalists not designated as National Scholars receive Arbor Scholarships at a value of $7,500 in the first year and $1,500 per year for three additional years of undergraduate study. The application deadline is Oct. 19, 2023, and more information can be found on their website. Interested students are encouraged to speak with their university counsellor as soon as possible to learn more or to talk about applying.

Emory College Woodruff Scholars Program 

Students who are in Year 12 and planning to apply to Emory University should consider the Emory College Woodruff Scholars Program. Applicants must submit their application to the university by Tuesday, Nov. 15 (unless they are applying for Early Decision, in which case it is due Tuesday, Nov. 1) and have indicated on their application an interest in being considered for Merit Scholarships. No additional nomination forms, essays, or materials are required to be considered and all students, regardless of citizenship, can be considered for the Scholar Programs. The Scholar Programs seek individuals who are motivated to be agents of positive social change across the broad spectrum of society — research and discovery, arts and culture, policy and justice work, and innovation and entrepreneurship. They select applicants who demonstrate significant promise in developing the Scholar Qualities and who show aptitude for and interest in working to improve their communities. The Scholar Qualities include a forceful and unselfish character, creativity and leadership and intellectual and personal vigour. The scholarship includes full tuition, fees, and on-campus room and meals. Interested students are encouraged to speak with their university counsellor to learn more.

Ted Rogers Legacy Scholarship 

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident interested in studying computer science, computer engineering, data science or software engineering at any of the following institutions starting in 2024–25, Polytechnique Montreal, Toronto Metropolitan University, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of New Brunswick or the University of Waterloo, we encourage you to consider applying for the Ted Rogers Legacy Scholarship. 

The Ted Rogers Legacy Scholarship will provide full financial support to help foster a new generation of technology leaders. Through this program, they aim to empower exceptional students with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to drive technological innovation and tackle complex challenges to ensure a more sustainable and resilient Canada.

Ten scholarships are available and are valued at $25,000 CAD per academic year. Within this allocation, $10,000 is specifically to cover tuition expenses, while the remaining $15,000 is designated as a stipend. Only 500 submitted applications will be accepted for review.

You can find further information about The Ted Rogers Legacy Scholarship on their website. Please reach out to your counsellor if you have any questions.

Loran Award

The Loran Award is one of Canada’s most prestigious honours paying particular attention to a young person’s character. To find the next generation of leaders for Canada, they look beyond the transcript and find the promise of character: integrity, courage, compassion, determination and a high level of personal autonomy. Tenable at 25 Canadian partner universities, the Loran Award is valued at $100,000 over four years, including mentorship, funding for summer work experiences, and participation in an extensive network of past and present scholars. This year, up to 36 Loran Awards will be offered. In addition, the Loran committee is granting up to 124 finalist and provincial/territorial awards ($6,000 or $2,000 each, respectively) to promising candidates.

All interested and eligible students are welcome to apply by filling out the application, uploading a transcript, and naming a reference. School sponsorship is no longer required. Previous Loran Scholars from UCC include Toni Agbaje-Ojo ’21 and Vlad Chindea ’18.

The deadline for all applications is Oct. 11, 2023, before 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) 

Visit the Loran Scholars website for further information. Please reach out to your university counsellor for support and any questions you may have about your application.

Robertson Scholars 

Students who are in Year 12 and planning to apply to either Duke University or the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill should consider the Robertson Scholars Program. No nomination is required so any interested and qualified UCC student can submit an application. 

Robertson Scholars are curious and conscientious leaders who think deeply and embrace innovation. They get into action in large and small ways to change the current reality at the level of the self, the group, and the system. Robertson Scholars understand that systems change requires collaborative effort, and as such, are always aware of the ways in which their actions affect others. They're committed to building community and see transformational leadership development as a practice. They're open to deep introspective work and continuous conversations necessary to develop new perspectives. Robertson Scholars act with integrity and align their choices to their values. 

The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program provides eight semesters of full tuition, room and board, and most mandatory fees for Scholars at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. Scholars also have access to generous funding for up to three summer experiences, funding for conferences throughout the academic year, and for two semesters of study abroad. The Robertson application portal is currently open, and applications are due Nov. 15, 2023. Interested students can sign up for an online session called Exploring the Robertson at Duke and Carolina or speak with their university counsellor to learn more.

Meet with an Engineering Admissions Officer to discuss TMU’s Bachelor of Engineering programs. Ask questions about your application and learn more about what makes their program a great choice for you. 

Appointments are available Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Bishop Strachan School (BSS) will be hosting a US and Canadian university representative panel on October 17, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in person at BSS. 

The panel will be made up of representatives from Boston University, Oberlin University, Tulane University, University of British Columbia and Huron University (Western) for a behind-the-scenes look at admissions. Pick up key tips about the application process from experienced representatives. 

Please register here for an interactive evening.